Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how many destroyer and frigate vessels will be required to meet the UK broad strategic defence goals after Brexit.

As set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, the Government is currently committed to a surface fleet of 19 Frigates and Destroyers. The Type 45 Destroyers are hugely capable ships and have been deployed successfully on a range of operations worldwide. They continue to make an enormous contribution to the defence of the UK and our international partners. We want the first Type 31e Frigate in 2023, with five ships delivered by the end of 2028. The Type 31e will replace the fleet of General Purpose Type 23 Frigates. We have signed a £3.7 billion contract for the first batch of three Type 26 Frigates. All eight Type 26 Frigates will be built by BAE Systems on the Clyde, securing the future of shipbuilding in Scotland. These plans have not changed as a consequence of Brexit.