Defence Secretary responds to criticism over Navy tankers order

1 Mar 2012 11:54 AM

A letter from Defence Secretary Philip Hammond responding to calls that the MOD contracts for new Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers should have been awarded to UK firms has been published in the Daily Mail recently.

The new Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) tankers will maintain the Royal Navy's ability to refuel at sea and will provide fuel to warships and task groups.

They will support deployed amphibious, land and air forces close to the shore, will be able to operate helicopters, and are planned to enter service from 2016, replacing existing Royal Fleet Auxiliary single-hulled tankers.

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