Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, what plans they have to accelerate the Propulsion Improvement Programme for the Type 45 Destroyers to ensure that the fleet is fully operational before 2028 as currently scheduled.

We continually review optimal delivery within the Complex Warship Support Plan. The Type 45 ships remain available for operational tasking when not undergoing maintenance activity or their PIP conversion.

HMS DAUNTLESS, the first ship to undergo the PIP conversion, has commenced a harbour trials programme and is due to return to sea later this year for sea trials. HMS DARING is currently at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, with conversion work to be carried out during 2022. The Ministry of Defence will take into account the lessons learned from HMS DAUNTLESS and apply them to HMS DARING's conversion.

The programme is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy's current and future operational commitments. PIP conversions are planned to take account of the regular Upkeep cycle to maximise overall class availability and meet the readiness profile required to meet Defence outputs.