HC Deb 06 November 2000 vol 356 cc8-9W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of development and subsequent production of the 155 mm naval gun; and if he will make a statement; [135747]

(2) what is the (a) timescale and (b) cost of retrofitting (i) Type 45 destroyers and (ii) new Type 45 destroyers with the new naval 155 mm gun; and if he will make a statement; [135989]

(3) what (a) cost and (b) performance advantages the 155 mm naval gun to be deployed on the type 45 destroyer will have over the mk 8 mod I gun now deployed; and if he will make a statement; [135997]

(4) how the development programme for construction of the 155 mm naval gun will ensure it is capable of unloading 20 rounds per minute; and if he will make a statement. [136003]

Dr. Moonie

The Type 45 Destroyer is being designed to allow the incremental incorporation of additional capabilities through life, to meet changing defence needs and to take advantage of technological developments. Some work is currently underway to consider what additional capabilities (including, potentially, enhanced naval fire support) we may need in the future but until it has been completed it would be inappropriate to prejudge its outcome. It is not therefore possible to estimate the value for money of a 155 mm gun or other potential solutions for Naval Fire Support for the Type 45.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in developing the new extended-range guided munitions for use in land-based 155 mm artillery; what has been the cost to date of the development and production of ERGMs for the(a) land-based and (b) naval 155 mm gun; and if he will make a statement. [135999]

Dr. Moonie

The Extended Range Guided Munitions programme is a specific US Naval project in which my Department has no direct involvement. The nearest UK equivalent programme is the Low Cost Guided Munition (LCGM) Research Programme. This is a research programme to develop new technologies and assess their application to land and maritime systems.