§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the electronic countermeasures system Type 675 is being removed from Royal Navy service. [138425]
§ Mr. SpellarThere are a number of factors which have resulted in the decision to remove Type 675 from Royal Navy service. Essentially the maritime emphasis has shifted away from large-scale open ocean naval operations towards the littoral. In addition the air threat in the littoral is more varied and complex and, at a time when Anti Ship Missile technology continues to grow and proliferate, the provision of an effective maritime Anti Air Warfare capability is essential to provide air superiority. To meet challenges of the new operating environment the Royal Navy has had to review all its countermeasure systems. The decision to withdraw the Type 675 jammer from service was taken as part of this review.