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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Naval vessels have been brought into service since 2000; how many of them have engaged in active deployments; and what capability they brought to the operation. [124060] Mr. Ingram: The following vessels have been brought into service with the Royal Navy since 2000: HMS Albion; HMS Portland; HMS St. Albans; HMS Kent; HMS Shoreham; HMS Ramsey; HMS Blyth and HMS Tyne. `Active deployment' has been taken to mean deployment away from the UK on standing military tasks or operations. Units of the Royal Navy have been on patrol in the Gulf since October 1980, after the Iran/Iraq conflict of that year. The Royal Navy permanent contribution consists of an escort supported by a tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, within the operational area (which includes the Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Northern Arabian Sea) at all times. HMS Portland and HMS Kent have both undertaken that deployment. HMS Shoreham, HMS Ramsey and HMS Blyth carried out mine clearance activities as part of Operation Telic. For completeness, Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet tankers, RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler have also entered service since 2000. To date neither have undertaken an operational deployment. RN assets bring a range of capabilities which, while allowing them to fulfil specific tasks are inherently flexible. While on deployment on specific tasks RN assets also undertake a range of additional activities, including Defence diplomacy tasks.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

124060; 408 c941-2W;408 c939-40W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Deployment Procurement Navy Reserve forces Warships

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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