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Attack Submarines

Volume 472: debated on Monday 3 March 2008

11. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future number of attack submarines in the Royal Navy. (190368)

18. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of attack submarines for the Royal Navy. (190375)

Our judgment remains that in the medium term, a fleet of eight of the current classes of attack submarine will be sufficient to meet the full range of tasks. By 2022 we will have completed the transition to the more capable Astute class, for which it remains our plan to order seven boats. Over the next 14 years, attack submarine numbers will fluctuate between seven and eight as Astute replaces the current classes.