Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Navy frigates were ordered between a) 1980 -1997, b) 1997-2010 ) 2010-2024 and d) since 5th July 2024.

Royal Navy force structure and procurement plans are kept under continuous review.

The number of Royal Navy frigates ordered in each period is as follows:

• (a) 1980–1997: 24
• (b) 1997–2010: None
• (c) 2010–2024: 13 (A number of these slots have been ceded as part of the Norwegian deal. The delta is yet to be made up through additional orders, and this will be a consideration of the Defence Investment Plan).
• (d) Since 5 July 2024: None.

Seventeen other major warships were ordered in the period since 1980, including three assault ships, six Type 45 Destroyers; six River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels; and two Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers. This number does not include ships converted from commercial service, coastal patrol and training vessels, survey vessels, mine countermeasures vessels, submarines or Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels.