Written question asked by Tessa Munt (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 24 November 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 November 2010. It was answered by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 December 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Trident

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what mechanism his Department has achieved cost savings in joint work with the US to procure a common missile compartment for the planned successor submarine; and how much funding has been allocated by his Department to the common missile compartment project to date.

Answer: By working collaboratively with the United States, the UK is sharing the costs of designing and integrating a missile compartment. This enables the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to avoid the significant costs associated with having to adapt and integrate a US only design into a UK submarine, or design and develop a bespoke UK missile compartment.The decision to proceed with the Vanguard replacement submarines, including the Common Missile Compartment, will not be taken until the main gate decision point, which the Strategic Defence and Security Review confirmed is now planned for the next Parliament. As the design of the missile compartment matures, it is possible that further opportunities to reduce production and whole life costs will be identified.The funding allocated to date by the MOD for the design of a Common Missile Compartment is approximately £283 million.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 27414; 520 c227W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Trident
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Written questions
House of Commons; Trident
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Trident
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk