Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Autonomous Minesweeping Capability will achieve (a) initial and (b) full operational capability; what the total cost of the programme is; and where the assets developed will be permanently based.

The current contract is for a single prototype system and valued at £13 Million. If successful, this system will be converted for operational use and further systems may be procured with associated Hunt Class modifications.

The dates for Initial and Full Operating Capability have not yet been determined and are subject to a Main Gate investment decision, which is expected in 2019. The permanent base for this equipment will be Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth, which is where the Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels are currently based.