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Naval Vessels (Handover)

Volume 400: debated on Monday 24 February 2003

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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the (a) revenue received from Romania for and (b) cost of modernising and preparing for handover (i) HMS Coventry and (ii) HMS London. [95887]

The value to the United Kingdom of the first phase of the agreement is £116 million and includes the cost of modernisation and preparation of the ships for handover. I am withholding the details of the information requested in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information as it is commercial in confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the main items to be (a) removed, (b) replaced and (c) upgraded in preparing (i) HMS Coventry and (ii) HMS London for handover to Romania. [95888]

The Seawolf missile system, the towed array sonar and a number of smaller sensitive equipments will be removed from ex-HM Ships Coventry and London prior to handover to Romania. A medium range gun will be fitted together with an associated fire control system. Refurbished gas turbine units will be refitted into the ships and, in addition, the Command and Control System will be modified to take account of the weapons fit. No other major systems will be upgraded during the preparation phase.