To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2003, Official Report, column 878W, on procurement, which ships are to be fitted with the ordered ship systems; what plans he has for those which are not; and if he will make a statement. [123095]
I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 25 June 2003, Official Report, column 878W, concerning planned numbers of Hunt and Sandown class vessels and the procurement of 19 ship systems to improve minehunting and minesweeping capability.The current plans are that the purchased systems will be fitted to all Hunt and Sandown class Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs). There is no requirement to fit the ship systems to the three former Hunt class vessels now configured for use solely as patrol craft, forming the Northern Ireland Squadron (HMS Brecon, HMS Cottismore and HMS Dulverton). There are currently no plans for changes to this Squadron.