§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capabilities the Royal Navy's SSNs have for connectivity in the littoral environment; what equipment they have for improving connectivity in littoral zones; when DERA's and Thomson Marconi Sonar's RTOF Buoy will be available to the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [139653]
§ Dr. MoonieSSNs have a wide range of communications capability usable in all environments. I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces gave on 20 November 2000,Official Report, column 5W, which stated that we are conducting research to improve the connectivity of our submarines. The RTOF Buoy is being investigated as part of this research.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is to the RN of purchasing its current connectivity equipment; what the cost of the RTOF Buoy is; what time scale has been set for implementation of the RTOF Buoy in SSN; and if he will make a statement. [139719]
§ Dr. MoonieI will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.