§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the trials of Sea RAM with HMS York; and what plans he has to procure the weapon system. [50783]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 18 April 2002]: The Sea RAM trial on HMS York was completed in September 2001. Although the equipment was returned earlier than anticipated, the majority of the trial objectives were achieved. The data gathered will be used to inform equipment capability decisions and to feed into other research and studies.
We have no immediate plans to procure the system, but it will be considered along with other options for a potential enhancement to our close-in defensive capability.