§ 24. Mr. HeathTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the future needs of the Royal Navy in order to sustain amphibious operations. [31917]
§ Mr. IngramThe Strategic Defence Review concluded that we should maintain strong and well balanced maritime forces including a full Commando brigade and specialist shipping.
The Royal Navy's new landing platform docks, Albion and Bulwark, are both due to enter service in 2003. We are also building four Bay Class Alternative Landing Ship Logistics (ALSLs), which will be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The ALSLs are substantially larger and more capable than the vessels they replace and on current plans will all have entered service by the end of 2005. In conjunction with the new landing platform docks and the helicopter landing platform, HMS Ocean, the ALSLs will bring a substantial increase in the UK's overall capability to conduct amphibious operations and contribute to increased global reach and flexibility.