asked Her Majesty's Government:

What warships and other vessels will be required to form carrier battle groups led by the new aircraft carriers; and what steps they are taking to provide such warships and other vessels. [HL4714]

Several types of vessels will be available to accompany the new aircraft carriers in carrier strike groups, including frigates, destroyers and submarines. The numbers and types of vessels employed will depend on the operational circumstances. Our present shipbuilding programmes, which are delivering the new Type 45 destroyers, Astute class nuclear submarines and, in the longer term, the Future Surface Combatant, will ensure that strike groups centred on the new aircraft carriers will consist of modern and highly capable warships.