§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to equip the Royal Navy with the Tactical Tomahawk missile; if this will be carried by(a) Royal Navy submarines and (b) the future Type 45 destroyer; and if he will make a statement. [122111]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 17 May 2000]: No decision has yet been taken on whether the Royal Navy should procure tactical Tomahawk (TACTOM) missiles. However, a contract has been placed, through the United States Department of Defense, to undertake a joint US/UK feasibility study to evaluate the design options for torpedo tube launch of the TACTOM missile. This enabling work will allow UK options for TACTOM procurement, if required in the future, to remain open. There are currently no plans for the type 45 destroyer to have a land attack capability.