§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will place in the Library of the House documents relating to the numbers of hulls required and type and quantity of weapon platforms on the Type 45 destroyer. [HL1166]
§ Lord BachOn 21 July 2004 my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced a future force of eight Type 45 Destroyers, four fewer than originally planned. Six ships are currently on contract with BAE Systems.
The Type 45's main weapon system is the principal anti-air missile system (PAAMS), which will enable the Type 45 to fulfil its primary role of anti-air warfare (AAW). PAAMS equipment carried by each ship will include a 48-cell sylver vertical launching system (VLS), Aster 15 and 30 missiles, the highly capable SAMPSON multi-function radar (MFR) for surveillance and fire control, the S1850 long-range radar (LRR) for air/ surface search, and the command and control system. The Type 45 will also come equipped with:
1 x Westland Lynx Mk8 (or 1 x Merlin Mk1)
(capable of carrying Stingray Torpedoes and Sea Skua Missiles)
1 x medium calibre gun—4/" Mk8
2 x close range guns—30mm
Provision will also be made in the Type 45 design to enable other weapon systems to be fitted at a later date should that be decided. These include:
A surface-to-surface guided weapon
2 x anti-air warfare inner layer defence—Phalanx torpedo launch systems
Surface ship torpedo defence (SSTD)
The Type 45 programme features regularly in the annual major projects reports, copies of which are held in the Library of the House. Further information about the programme can be found on the Defence Procurement Agency's website at www.mod.uk/dpa/ipt/type45.htm.