Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his department’s policy to increase the lifespan of the Type 23 frigate fleet.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 17101:

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Ministry of Defence will be implementing a phased retirement Type 23 Frigates after decades of proud and faithful service.

The Government is investing in: new autonomous surface vessels; autonomous sub-surface; an amphibious fleet with the Netherlands; future Common Combat Vessels; and delivering a combined force of 13 Type 26 frigates with Norway expected to enter service from the late 2020s; five Type 31 frigates expected to be in service by the early 2030s; and new Fleet Solid Support ships.

To avoid compromising operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose individual out of service dates or specific in-service dates for warships to avoid revealing elements of the Fleet's long-term schedule. However, the Royal Navy continues to ensure that it has sufficient assets available to deliver operational outputs.