Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the operational future of the (a) HMS Prince of Wales and (b) HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.
Answered by James Heappey
The purpose of HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales is to provide the UK a Carrier Strike Group (CSG) capability. A CSG is a secure, versatile, agile and survivable, well-found sovereign operating base that exerts global influence through power projection, which, enabled by sea control and with minimal risk, delivers strike warfare against targets ashore.
On current plans the out of service date for the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers is 2069.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the readiness of the UK Carrier Strike Group; and what steps he has taken to improve that readiness.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK Carrier Strike Group remains ready to respond to the evolving global threat picture as required. The UK continues to meet its operational commitments at home and abroad.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to increase the presence of strategic naval assets in the Indo-Pacific region.
Answered by James Heappey
Following the 2021 Integrated Review, the Ministry of Defence deployed two offshore patrol vessels, HMS TAMAR and HMS SPEY to the Indo-Pacific - the first permanent deployment for over 25 years. These ships conduct an extensive range of operational and engagement activity, strengthening our relationships with allies and partners. The HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH Carrier Strike Group deployed to the Indo-Pacific in 2021 and we are preparing for the next Carrier Strike Group deployment to the region. Defence intends to deploy Littoral Response Group (South), an agile and scalable amphibious capability, to the Indo-Pacific region later this year.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of enhancing British military assets in Brunei.
Answered by James Heappey
The Ministry of Defence is continually reviewing UK military assets in Brunei within the formal agreement held with the Sultan of Brunei. The Garrison Agreement is renewed every five years and the next renegotiation is due at the end of 2024.
Analysis of lessons and assessing future opportunities for UK forces in Brunei will inform work to renegotiate the agreement.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has taken recent steps to increase the defensive capabilities of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) carriers have a range of active and passive defensive systems. In addition, QEC generally operates as part of a wider task group (including other ships and rotary and fixed wing aircraft) providing a level of layered defence suitable for a range of threats.
Specific threat planning is also considered for every deployment or contingency, and measures are taken to reduce or mitigate the anticipated threat in accordance with operational priorities.
The threat - and the defensive systems the QEC carries - are kept under constant review.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the merits of adding anti-air close-in weapons systems to the Type 23 frigate.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department does not routinely disclose the specific capabilities of individual platforms, or the considerations for ongoing adaptions, but I can confirm that we routinely assess and review new technology and its integration into our ships.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase the capability of offshore patrol vessels operated by the Royal Navy.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) are proven platforms supporting Maritime Security, Marine Enforcement and global Defence Engagement. The three Batch 1 River Class OPVs have been successfully patrolling the UK EEZ and North European waters for over 20 years, whilst the five forward deployed Batch 2 River Class OPVs are patrolling the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
The capabilities of both classes are kept under constant review to ensure the ships can safely deliver their tasking.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to (a) maintain and (b) improve amphibious assault capabilities.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Commando Force modernisation programme is delivering a fundamental change to the UK's amphibious capabilities. The programme will be delivered in two investment increments, called OPERATE and FIGHT. OPERATE will deliver a transformation of 3 Commando Brigade's operational capability on land while FIGHT will deliver the additional capabilities required to conduct ship-to-shore operations in a contested maritime environment.
On current plans, the Landing Platform Docks, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, will retire from service by the end of 2034. As part of the transformation of our Commando Forces, options for future amphibious capability are being developed in the form of the Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS).
The Secretary of State has also commissioned a plan on how the Royal Marines excellent work and capabilities can be bolstered and enhanced to protect Britain from a world that has grown more dangerous. An update to the House will be provided in due course.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is working across Whitehall and with external stakeholders to put together an appropriate programme of events to mark the important occasion of the 80th anniversary of D-Day in the UK and in France.
The UK’s National Commemorative Event in Portsmouth will once again highlight this nation’s major contribution as a leading partner in the Western Alliance. The UK’s main commemorative event in France will take place at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer overlooking GOLD beach. It is the first time, during a major commemorative year, that this event will take place at the memorial following its official opening in 2021.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to increase the presence of Royal Air Force assets at RAF Akrotiri.
Answered by James Heappey
RAF Akrotiri is a key node supporting a range of current operations, enabling global reach and from which we will continue to provide a forward presence in the strategically important Eastern Mediterranean. We keep the numbers of RAF assets deployed to RAF Akrotiri under continuous review in line with Operational planning priorities. RAF Akrotiri provides the capability and flexibility to rapidly surge and reinforce RAF assets when required for emerging operational commitments.