UK: RN chief expounds need for eight Type 45s

The UK Royal Navy's (RN's) most senior officer has reiterated the "absolute" requirement for a class of eight Type 45 destroyers just days before leaving the post.

Admiral Sir Alan West, who retires on 7 February 2006, re-stated the RN's case just hours ahead of the launch of Type 45 first-of-class HMS Daring at BAE Systems' Scotstoun yard on 1 February.

Six ships are currently on order from BAE Systems Naval Ships, but the First Sea Lord insists that a class of eight ships is required.

"Daring and her sisters are long overdue," he said, "but when they start to enter service from 2009, we will see a dramatic enhancement of our air defence capability. The Type 45 and its PAAMS (principal anti-air missile system] weapons system will be able to take out streams of missiles, and it will be the only ship in the world able to shoot down the SS-N-27 'Sizzler' supersonic anti-ship missile".

BAE Systems Naval Ships has already offered an unsolicited proposal for ships seven and eight. However, Ministry of Defence sources acknowledge that intense pressure on equipment spending is casting doubt on the affordability of the last two ships.

Source