Lord West of Spithead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-03-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, under the plans following the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, there will be more or fewer Royal Navy ships in commission by 2025 than the 57 currently.

Earl Howe

The 2015 Strategic and Defence Security Review announced that we will maintain our fleet of 19 frigates and destroyers whilst also conducting a concept phase assessment for the design and build of a new class of lighter, flexible general purpose frigate. This will mean that by the 2030s we can further increase the total number of frigates and destroyers. Joint Force 2025 will also include three replacement solid support ships, the two new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and at least two new offshore patrol vessels. Our national shipbuilding strategy, which we will publish later this year, will inform our plans.