Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to deploy a Type 23 Frigate or Type 45 Destroyer as part of the South Atlantic Patrol Tasking.

The Royal Navy conducts routine deployments in the Atlantic region. However, for reasons of safeguarding national security, we do not discuss the detail of such operations, as this would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

The Royal Navy also maintains a permanent presence in the South Atlantic in the form of the Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel, HMS CLYDE, supported by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship. The Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship, HMS PROTECTOR, also operates in the South Atlantic region for periods of the year.