Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact on shipbuilding in the UK of cancellation of the Type 32 frigate programme.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
There are no current plans to withdraw the Type 32 Frigate Programme and it remains a key part of the future fleet. The Programme is currently in its concept phase and work continues to ensure the programme is affordable.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2022 to Question 61035 on Fleet Solid Support Ships: Shipbuilding, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the procurement process.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The procurement process for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships is being conducted strictly in accordance with the relevant UK public procurement legislation and rules. The Department is committed to continuous reform of its procurement process to ensure it continues to deliver the best possible value for money.
The decision to appoint Team Resolute as preferred bidder was founded on a thorough evaluation of the bids in a fair and open competition and the outcome supports the objectives of the National Shipbuilding Strategy through significant capital investment in the UK.
The investment the FSS contract will bring is set to leverage the UK's position in the global market for both shipbuilding and equipment and systems, improving competitiveness and improving UK supply chain access to the international market. Of the bids received by the Ministry of Defence, the Team Resolute bid provides the best value for money to the taxpayer and is the best outcome for the UK shipbuilding industry.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2022 to Question 61035 on Fleet Solid Support Ships: Shipbuilding, if he will make an assessment of the impact of the procurement process on the British shipbuilding sector.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The procurement process for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships is being conducted strictly in accordance with the relevant UK public procurement legislation and rules. The Department is committed to continuous reform of its procurement process to ensure it continues to deliver the best possible value for money.
The decision to appoint Team Resolute as preferred bidder was founded on a thorough evaluation of the bids in a fair and open competition and the outcome supports the objectives of the National Shipbuilding Strategy through significant capital investment in the UK.
The investment the FSS contract will bring is set to leverage the UK's position in the global market for both shipbuilding and equipment and systems, improving competitiveness and improving UK supply chain access to the international market. Of the bids received by the Ministry of Defence, the Team Resolute bid provides the best value for money to the taxpayer and is the best outcome for the UK shipbuilding industry.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2022 to Question 19681 on Typhoon Aircraft, whether his Department plans to reassess the retirement of the Tranche 1 Typhoon aircraft in the context of (a) its remaining airframe fatigue life and (b) the war in Ukraine.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 12 December 2022 to Question 105283.
The hon. Member may wish to note that Question 19681 was answered on 21 June 2022 rather than 3 November 2022.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the operational costs are of one flying hour for the F-35 aircraft.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
I am withholding the information requested as its release would prejudice commercial interests.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral evidence taken by the Defence Select Committee on 29 November 2022 on Aviation Procurement, HC 178, whether it remains his Department's policy to retire Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The plans have not changed. Withdrawing the Tranche 1 aircraft enables the reinvestment required in the rest of the Typhoon fleet out to its out of service date.
On current plans, the bulk of the Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft will go out of service on 31 March 2025, whilst four will be retained until 2027.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of placing the 30 Tranche 1 Typhoons in a war reserve rather than retiring them in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The plans have not changed. Withdrawing the Tranche 1 aircraft enables the reinvestment required in the rest of the Typhoon fleet out to its out of service date.
On current plans, the bulk of the Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft will go out of service on 31 March 2025, whilst four will be retained until 2027.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral evidence taken by the Defence Select Committee on 29 November 2022 on Aviation Procurement, HC 178, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the time it will take for Tempest aircraft to become fully operational on air combat capability gaps.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a collaboration between the UK, Italy and Japan to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft to enter service from 2035, before Typhoon's earliest possible out of service date of 2040. Within the UK, the aircraft under development will be known as Tempest.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of commissioning the three E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question 102821 from the Rt hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford on 13 December 2022.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral evidence taken by the Defence Select Committee on 29 November 2022 on Aviation Procurement, HC 178, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the timescale in which the majority of the Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft will go out of service on air combat capability gaps.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The retirement of Typhoon Tranche 1 will enable further investment in Typhoon Tranche 2 and 3, which will incrementally develop through the Future Capability Programme. The retention of seven front line Typhoon squadrons, equipped with more modern and reliable aircraft will ensure no deterioration in combat effect.
Our future force will be based around these upgraded Typhoon and F-35 for the coming decades, before the next generation of combat air fighter jets comes into service through the Global Combat Air Programme.