Press Release - Providing Anti Air Warfare
Capability: the Type 45 destroyer
13 March 2009
The project to replace the UK’s ageing Anti Air Warfare
capability, which is currently provided by the Type 42 destroyer,
has suffered significant delays of over two years and costs have
escalated to some £6½ billion, up by nearly 30 per cent from
initial estimates of £5 billion. More recently, the project has
progressed well, with key milestones, such as completion of sea
trials, being met, according to a report released today by the
National Audit Office.
The problems arose because of over-optimism about what could be
achieved, inappropriate commercial arrangements and, in the early
stages, poor project management. The MOD has taken action to
resolve these problems and in 2007 reviewed and renegotiated the
ship contract with BAE Systems which subsequently merged with VT to
become BVT. Since then, there have been no further cost increases
or delays to the project.
The MOD has extended the service life of the older Type 42s
because of the delay in bringing the Type 45 destroyers into use.
The Type 45 destroyers will provide much more capability than the
Type 42s. In addition to being able to engage multiple hostile
aircraft or missiles simultaneously, they will have better
accommodation for personnel, more fuel efficient engines and be
able to operate the Lynx, Merlin and Chinook helicopters.
The Type 45 destroyers will be equipped with the new Principal
Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS) which is being developed jointly
between the French, Italian and British governments. Daring, the
first ship of class, will enter into service with the PAAMS system
performance having been tested elsewhere but before the missile is
first fired from a destroyer the following year.
As part of the MOD’s plan to fit a number of equipments
incrementally on ships after they have come into service, the full
capability of the Type 45 will not be available until the middle of
the next decade. These include the final elements of PAAMS,
communications equipments and the Co-operative Engagement
Capability which provides a clearer picture of the battle space and
has a current target date of 2014 for installation.
Tim Burr, head of the National Audit Office, said
today:
"The early years of the Type 45 destroyer project were
beset by problems. The Ministry of Defence is currently controlling
costs and timescales successfully; but it now needs to focus on
installing the other equipment the ships need to obtain their full
capability and on getting to grips with developing an effective
support solution to be ready in time to support these
destroyers."
Notes for Editors
- To operate safely at sea, the Royal Navy must protect its ships
from attacks from the air. The UK’s current air defence capability
is provided primarily by the Type 42 Destroyers. These ships were
designed in the 1960s and came into service during the 1970s and
1980s. Each ship was intended to be in service for 25 years.
- The UK’s current aircraft carrier capability is provided by the
Invincible Class of carriers (HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious)
which are planned to be retired in 2012 and 2015 respectively. In
2008 the MOD announced that they will procure two new carriers, and
part of the role of the Type 45 will be to protect them.
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard
copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702
3474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General, Tim Burr, is the head of
the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff. He and the
NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 18/09
All enquiries to Phil Groves, NAO Press Office:
Tel: 020 7798 5339
Mobile: 07770 678 477