Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to increase the number of operational Royal Navy warships in this financial year.

Currently the Royal Navy has 52 Surface Ships in service, held at the appropriate level of readiness to meet operational commitments.

The Royal Navy continues to modernise its Fleet through careful management of a surface fleet transition plan to ensure the highest priority outputs are maintained through this decade and the next. We are replacing our Type 23 Frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 Frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 Frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence on the global stage. The Fleet Solid Support ships similarly represent the renewal of RFA solid support capability providing the ammunition, stores and spares to sustain global operations.