Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Monday, 19 January 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 January 1998. It was answered by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour) on Monday, 26 January 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is his Department's assessment of the (a) current and (b) future capacity of Russia to track and determine the whereabouts of the United Kingdom's Trident submarines when on patrol.

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's assessment of the (a) current and (b) future capacity of Russia to track and determine the whereabouts of the United Kingdom's Trident submarines when on patrol; and if he will make a statement. [24603] Mr. George Robertson: Although the most modern Russian submarines might be theoretically capable of detecting UK Trident submarines at close range, the operating arrangements for UK Trident submarines are designed to ensure that they remain undetected.

Secondary information