Nigel Evans Conservative MP for Ribble Valley asked a written parliamentary question regarding the running costs for the Type 23, Type 45 and yet to be built Type 31e.

Guto Bebb, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, responded:

“The average annual running cost for a Type 23 Frigate and a Type 45 Destroyer is approximately £11 million and £13.5 million respectively. These figures have been rounded to the nearest £100,000.

The Type 31e programme is in its pre-procurement phase and it is therefore premature to provide an estimate of running costs. The costs given include those items that are directly attributable to the ship, such as personnel costs, fuel and port visits and do not include such items as maintenance, training and generation costs.”

Bebb also responded to a question regarding the build country of the Type 31e Frigate:

“The National Shipbuilding Strategy (paragraph 92) was clear that for reasons of national security, the UK prioritises the need to retain the ability to design, build and integrate warships.”