Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence accounts 2024-25, what did the retirement of the Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers and constructive losses of £58,081,000 relate to.

A decision was announced in November 2024 to retire Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers, effectively mothballed by the last Government, which had not been to sea since 2017 and 2022 respectively. Their retirement reflects value for money for the taxpayer and delivering for defence, by divesting ourselves of old capabilities to make way for the future.

The constructive loss of £58,081,000 relates to the write-down of the remaining value of the Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers and their associated capital works, spares and consumables. It has been calculated in line with Managing Public Money and Ministry of Defence accounting policies.