HC Deb 20 November 2003 vol 413 c1267W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his intention that a reduction in the size of the two future aircraft carriers will lead to no diminution of military capability. [139596]

Mr. Ingram

No final decisions have yet been taken on the main capability specifications for the Future Aircraft Carrier programme, currently in its Assessment Phase. The intention, as with any other new equipment project, has always been to use the Assessment Phase to refine the design in order to best meet our capability requirements and to ensure value for money.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what aspects of the designed capability of(a) Type 45 destroyers, (b) Astute-class submarines and (c) Joint Strike Fighters have been changed since 1998. [139597]

Mr. Ingram

The United Kingdom Type 45 destroyer programme began in late 1999, following completion of Phase 1 of the tri-national Horizon programme which was carried out in collaboration with France and Italy. Much of the designed capability under the Horizon programme is being developed further in the Type 45 programme and has increased in a number of areas. The most significant change from Horizon has been in the provision for growth so that equipments may be added later to meet future capability requirements. The Type 45 design also incorporates a number of features to enable it to support and deploy an Embarked Military Force of 60 troops. In addition, it includes improvements to the operational range in extreme environmental conditions and the development of an Integrated Electric Propulsion system, which will reduce through life costs.

The designed capability of the Astute class submarines has increased in some areas since 1998. These changes comprise: improved weapon handling and discharge; increased weapon stowage capacity, together with an additional torpedo tube; the fitting of Tomahawk missile capability; and the introduction of improved tactical data link capability, which allows joint operational planning to be conducted by co-operating forces and the UK HQ. Also under consideration are options for the inclusion of capability, such as improved navigation and data communications, in the first three boats which was originally planned for later submarines in the Class.

The Joint Strike Fighter project is currently in the Systems Demonstration and Development (SDD) phase. There has been no change in the designed capability of the aircraft since the contract for the SDD phase was let in October 2001. In the previous Concept Demonstration Phase, which began in 1996, the joint UK/US operational requirement was developed to arrive at an affordable solution to satisfy the needs of the UK and the three participating US Services.