Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) operational and (b) other targets and objectives the Royal Navy met during the last 12 months; what major deployments and exercises are planned for the Royal Navy in 2018; and if he will make a statement.

Over the last year, the Royal Navy has continued to meet all their standing commitments, delivering a strong presence at home and globally in protecting our national interests. These include: Continuous at Sea Deterrent; Fleet Ready Escort; Towed Array Patrol Ship; marine enforcement; mine countermeasures support; Atlantic Patrol Tasking North and South; Gibraltar Squadron; operations East of Suez; contributing to the Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime) and Standing NATO Response Force; supporting EU and NATO counter-migration operations in the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea.

The Royal Navy will continue to take part in a wide range of national and international exercises and deployments in 2018 to ensure that our forces are ready to undertake a range of activities to meet the challenges of an uncertain world. I am withholding the details of future deployments and exercises as release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the security and safety of our Armed Forces.