Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 12 January 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 January 1999. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 January 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the forecast service life for (a) Project Horizon and (b) Type 22 ships. - Inc figs.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast service life for (a) Project Horizon and (b) Type 22 ships. [65729] Mr. Spellar: The planned service life for the Common New Generation Frigate (CNGF) is a minimum of 25 years. The reduction in the size of our destroyer and frigate force from 35 to 32, as announced in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper, will be achieved by paying off the Type 22 frigates HMS Boxer, Beaver and London in 1999. HMS Brave will be replaced by a new Type 23 frigate in 2000 as will HMS Coventry in 2001. The remaining five Type 22 frigates have a planned service life of approximately 23 years.

Secondary information