HC Deb 19 June 2000 vol 352 cc25-6W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the planned date by which the Principal Anti Air Missile System will be available to install in the first Type 45 destroyer; and if he will make a statement. [124994]

Dr. Moonie

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Paul Keetch, dated 19 June 2000: I am writing in response to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence with regard to installation of the Principal Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS) in the first Type 45 Destroyer. This falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. It is planned that the various elements of the PAAMS system (including radars, the vertical launch and below deck equipment) will be installed in the first Type 45 Destroyer by early 2006. This date provides the time required for PAAMS integration, setting to work and trials to support the in-service date for the first-of-class ship of 2007.