HC Deb 13 May 2003 vol 405 cc158-9W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to equip Type 45 destroyers with Tomahawk land attack missiles. [111333]

Mr. Ingram

As I made clear in my answer of 24 FebruaryOfficial Report, column 303W, the principal role of the Type 45 Destroyers will be Anti-Air Warfare. However, these ships are being designed and built with significant space and weight margins to enable incremental acquisition should an emerging requirement necessitate a different equipment fit. Our requirements are being kept under review, and the design could be modified, to incorporate improved land attack capabilities, including a cruise missile system such as Tomahawk.