Asked by: Lord Agnew of Oulton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many Royal Navy vessels are currently equipped with the naval strike missile; when they expect the naval strike missile to equip the type 23 frigate and type 45 destroyer fleets; and whether any Royal Navy vessels equipped with the naval strike missile have deployed alongside HMS Queen Elizabeth or HMS Prince of Wales.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy is in the process of outfitting Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to eleven of its Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers in collaboration with the Norwegian Government. These missiles will provide a potent new surface-to-surface maritime and land strike capability for the Surface Fleet.
HMS SOMERSET, PORTLAND and RICHMOND are now fitted with NSM. HMS RICHMOND is part of Operation HIGHMAST, accompanying HMS PRINCE OF WALES as part of the Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
The Strategic Defence Review will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Outfitting further ships with NSM will be progressed according to SDR outcomes.