Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the roll-out of the Power Improvement Programme has been delayed.

There are no immediate plans to accelerate the Power Improvement Programme (PIP) for the Type 45 Destroyers, although we continually review optimal delivery within the Complex Warship Support Plan. The programme is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy's current and future operational commitments. PIP conversions are planned to take into account the regular Upkeep cycle to maximise overall class availability and meet the readiness profile required to meet Defence outputs. HMS DAUNTLESS, the first of class to undergo the Type 45 Power Improvement Programme, is currently at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead where equipment is being set to work following installation. The next phase of the programme will see DAUNTLESS undertake a rigorous trials programme in harbour and subsequently at sea.

Three Type 45 Destroyers are currently available for operational tasking.