§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the Type 45 destroyers will be provided with(a) Phalanx and (b) another close-in range defensive capability; and if he will make a statement; [157731]
(2) what lessons he has drawn for the capability and assessment of the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers from the USS Winston Churchill; and if he will make a statement; [157733]
(3) if the Type 45 destroyer will be provided with (a) an anti-ship and (b) a land attack capability; and if he will make a statement; [157748]
(4) if the Type 45 destroyers will be provided with anti-submarine armament other than the torpedoes carried by their Lynx helicopter; and if he will make a statement. [157732]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Type 45 destroyer is primarily intended to provide effective area air defence against aircraft and missiles and will be equipped with the world-beating Principal Anti-Air Missile System. This will provide the Royal Navy with a significant increase in capability from the outset when it comes into service in 2007. In accordance with Smart acquisition practice, the Type 45 has been designed so that its capability can be upgraded throughout its life to take advantage of changes in defence requirements and technological advances.
In addition to its primary role, the Type 45 will have an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability. Details of this capability were provided in answer to an earlier 233W question raised by the hon. Member on 30 January 2001, Official Report, column 98W. It includes sonar, Lynx HMA Mk 8 helicopter carrying Stingray anti-submarine torpedoes, Ship Surface Torpedo Defence System (SSTD) towed and expendable acoustic decoys and, in the longer term, enhanced SSTD countermeasures. Should additional ASW armament be required to that provided by the Stingray torpedoes carried by the Lynx helicopter, the Type 45 design allows for the later fitting of a double-tubed Magazine Torpedo Launch System.
The Type 45's anti-surface ship capability will be provided by the Sea Skua missile, fitted to its Lynx helicopter, together with the ship's medium range gunnery system, the 4/" Mk 8 Mod 1 gun, and two 30 mm guns. The Type 45 design also allows for the fitting of a Surface to Surface Guided Weapon.
To provide a close range defensive capability, it is planned to fit Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems to each Type 45. Should the requirement for the Type 45 class to have a land attack capability arise, provision has also been made in Type 45 designs either for fitting a Vertical Launch System for missiles, or for a larger calibre gun to be used.
Through our close collaboration with the United States, we naturally look to see what lessons can be drawn from their equipment procurement and operating experience, including that of ships such as the USS Winston Churchill and its systems.