WARSHIPS
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what surface combat ships are currently (a) in build and (b) on order. [188940]
Mr Francois, Minister of State for the Armed Forces: The Type 26 Global Combat Ship (T26 GCS) is expected to become the future surface combat vessel for the Royal Navy. The T26 GCS programme is currently in its assessment phase, and orders will be placed after the Ministry of Defence has taken the main investment decision later in 2014.
In terms of the wider warship building, the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are currently in build, and orders are planned to be placed for three offshore patrol vessels, subject to the successful conclusion of the commercial discussions with BAE Systems.