Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the transfer of two Type 23 Frigates to the Hellenic Navy for (1) overall frigate numbers, and (2) the minimum level of frigates committed to be held by the Royal Navy.

As part of the Integrated Review the decision was taken to decommission two Type 23 frigates, HMS MONMOUTH and HMS MONTROSE. They had been due to enter planned maintenance cycles from 2023. Frigate availability will be maintained through the life extension of three other General-Purpose Type 23s, and the new Type 26 and Type 31 frigates entering service. No decision has been made regarding the disposal of HMS MONMOUTH and HMS MONTROSE.