I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 112210 on 18 February 2026 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-02-10/112210

Royal Navy vessels are routinely managed through operating cycles comprising maintenance, training, deployment and regeneration, resulting in differing levels of readiness across the fleet at any given time in accordance with operational requirements.

As the hon. Gentleman will recall it is longstanding policy not to comment on the readiness state of individual ships in detail, as to do so would prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of the Armed Forces.

The costs of the most recent deep maintenance periods (Docking Periods) for the specified Type 23 frigates are as follows:

• HMS Lancaster – £67.6 million - May 2017 - June 2020 - 156 weeks
• HMS Iron Duke – £102.9 million - May 2019 - May 2023 - 208 weeks
• HMS Richmond – £72.0 million – October 2017 - June 2020 –126 weeks.

These periods of planned deep maintenance were undertaken to sustain the ships’ operational capability and recertify the ships’ safety to operate in accordance with the Programme of Record (the ships’ sustainment) under the last government

As the hon. Member will recall from his time as a Defence Minister. The Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish out-of-service dates for individual Royal Navy vessels.

The precise out-of-service date will be determined through balancing operational requirements, maintenance schedules, and transition to modern and world leading capabilities introduced with the Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates entering service.

As the hon. Member will recall from his time as a Defence Minister. The Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish out-of-service dates for individual Royal Navy vessels.

The precise out-of-service date will be determined through balancing operational requirements, maintenance schedules, and transition to modern and world leading capabilities introduced with the Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates entering service.

The Royal Navy keeps the crewing of all Ships under continuous review through its Force Generation and personnel management processes, including during operations and maintenance periods in order to deliver units for operations required by the Defence Plan.

Following completion of planned maintenance, ships will routinely be assigned an appropriately trained and qualified Ship’s Company to meet operational requirements. This approach will be adopted in any force generation activity regarding HMS IRON DUKE.

The Ministry of Defence keeps all capability programmes under regular review to ensure they remain affordable, deliver value for money, and align with operational priorities.

The decision to cancel the Iron Duke conversion programme was based on a comprehensive assessment. Given the platform's remaining Service life, the time required to complete the conversion, and competing operational priorities, the benefits of proceeding did not justify the additional cost or extended period out of service. Resources were therefore re-prioritised to deliver greater operational effect.

The volume of detailed information requested is such that it will take time to consider in full. Consequently, I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

The total anticipated project costs for HMS Iron Duke's Upkeep are approximately £103 million; this figure may be subject to a slight adjustment to reflect on-going negotiations with the contractor Babcock.

I refer the noble Lord to the response given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Jeremy Quin) in the House of Commons on 19 October 2021 to the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey) to Question 58732.

The Artisan surveillance system, Radar Type 997, will be brought into service as a direct replacement for the Radar Type 996 which is used to detect and track surface and airborne threats. This delivers area surveillance for situational awareness and integration with on board weapons systems. HMS Iron Duke has been selected to test the Artisan system before it is deployed on the wider fleet when Radar Type 996 is retired from service in 2016.