Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any of the four Trafalgar Class submarines is currently undergoing refit and maintenance.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
There are four Trafalgar Class and three Astute Class submarines currently in service at various stages of their operating cycle. Attack submarines are operationally capable and ready, and our submarines are meeting their operational taskings.
It is UK policy that we do not comment on matters relating to submarine activity or operations.
The normal operating cycle of every submarine includes periods at reduced levels of readiness to enable maintenance and training programmes, and to allow Service personnel to have time with their families.
HMS Ambush is undergoing repairs at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how soon after he took office was the Prime Minister informed by his Department that the Trident D5 II missile launched as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise had not completed its test as planned.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 January 2017 to the hon. Member for South Down (Ms Ritchie) to Question 61284. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when after the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise was he advised that the Trident D5 II missile launched by HMS Vanguard had not completed its test as planned.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 January 2017 to the hon. Member for South Down (Ms Ritchie) to Question 61284. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when after the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise did he advise the former Prime Minister that the Trident D5 II missile launched by HMS Vanguard had not completed its test as planned.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 January 2017 to the hon. Member for South Down (Ms Ritchie) to Question 61284. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who briefed the Prime Minister that a Trident D5 II missile launched as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise had not completed its test as planned.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 January 2017 to the hon. Member for South Down (Ms Ritchie) to Question 61284. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Inertial Guidance System on board the Trident D5 II missile was tested during the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown exercise.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 January to the hon. Member for North Durham (Kevan Jones) (Vol 620, Col 23). Details of the Trident weapon system and submarine operations must remain secret. The Government is in no doubt about the capability and effectiveness of the Trident missile system. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the (a) nature and (b) incidence of faults in the navigation controls on the Trident D5 II missiles.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 January to the hon. Member for North Durham (Kevan Jones) (Vol 620, Col 23). Details of the Trident weapon system and submarine operations must remain secret. The Government is in no doubt about the capability and effectiveness of the Trident missile system. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the issue that led to the Trident D5 II missile not being able to complete its testing after being launched as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise has now been identified.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 January to the hon. Member for North Durham (Kevan Jones) (Vol 620, Col 23). Details of the Trident weapon system and submarine operations must remain secret. The Government is in no doubt about the capability and effectiveness of the Trident missile system. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the age was of the Trident D5 II missile that was launched but unable to complete the testing as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 January to the hon. Member for North Durham (Kevan Jones) (Vol 620, Col 23). Details of the Trident weapon system and submarine operations must remain secret. The Government is in no doubt about the capability and effectiveness of the Trident missile system. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what work has been carried out by the manufacturers of other Trident D5 II missiles to prevent reoccurrence since the missile was unable to complete its test after being launched as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 January to the hon. Member for North Durham (Kevan Jones) (Vol 620, Col 23). Details of the Trident weapon system and submarine operations must remain secret. The Government is in no doubt about the capability and effectiveness of the Trident missile system. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.