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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Beard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest estimate is of the cost of the Trident Acquisition Programme; and if he will make a statement. [67206] Mr. Hoon: The current estimate of the total acquisition cost of the Trident programme, with payments already made expressed at the prices and exchange rates actually incurred and future spend at the current financial year rate (the hybrid) estimate, is now £9,800 million. Since the 2001 estimate and leaving aside the effects of price inflation and exchange rate variation (+£11 million), there has been a real cost increase of £25 million. This increase derives principally from additional costs associated with dockyard projects and with missiles and related equipment, offset by a reduced acquisition cost for the four submarines. Expenditure on the Trident acquisition programme to 30 September 2001 represented over 98 per cent. of the total estimate. If all expenditure, past and projected, is brought up to this current year's economic conditions (the non-hybrid estimate) the estimate is £14,376 million. The programme continues to show an overall reduction in real terms on its original 1982 estimate. This reduction, including the savings resulting from the decision to process missiles at the United States facility at Kings Bay, Georgia, now stands at over £3.7 billion at current prices. The proportion of the estimate for work undertaken in the United Kingdom continues to be around 70 per cent. Three in-service Vanguard class submarines are successfully maintained continuous at-sea deterrence, with the fourth, HMS Vanguard, now undergoing planned major overhaul. Estimate table £ million _________________________________________________________________________________________________. US UK Total Hybrid Previous estimate (2001) at 2,859 6,904 9,764 2000-01 economic conditions (£1:$1.6086) Real changes +18 +8 +25 Price inflation on unspent 0 +3 +3 balance Exchange rate variation on +8 n/a +8 unspent balance Revised estimate at 2001-02 2,884 6,916 9,800 economic conditions (£1:$1.46) Non-hybrid Previous estimate (2001) at 3,604 10,058 13,662 2000-01 economic conditions (£1:$1.6806) Real changes +18 +8 +25 Price inflation +62 +252 +313 Exchange rate variation +375 n/a +375 Revised estimate at 2001-02 4,059 10,318 14,376 economic conditions (£1:$1.46) _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Note: Figures rounded to nearest £1 million hence any apparent imbalances.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

67206; 388 c318W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Expenditure Procurement Trident submarines Trident Trident missiles

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk