Lord West of Spithead – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2015-11-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, whether they plan for the Royal Navy to have a two-tier escort force in the future.

Earl Howe

In addition to setting out the Government’s commitment to build eight Type 26 anti-submarine warfare ships, the statement by the Prime Minister on the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (Official Report, column 1049 dated 23 November 2015) announced the launch of a concept study for a new class of lighter, flexible general purpose frigates, so that by the 2030s we can further increase the total number of frigates and destroyers. This study will consider the utility of the new frigate within the wider force structure across the spectrum of tasks the Royal Navy undertakes.