Archive

1979 Jul 20 - 1986 Dec 23
Prime Ministerial Private Office files

PREM19/1689
Defence (Development of torpedoes)

Source: TNA, PREM19 series
Release date: 2014 Dec 30
Classification: Secret
Page count: 111
Any docs withheld?

PREM19/1689 - download whole file (PDF, 83.45 MB)

Selections from this file

Showing items 1 - 19 of 19

Date Value Title
79 Jul 20 Fr Major Defence: No.10 briefing for MT (“Future Lightweight Torpedo (OD(79) 17)”) [“If Sting Ray was cancelled, the British torpedo industry would probably not survive”] [declassified Jul 2016]
79 Jul 23 Mo Major Defence: MoD minute to No.10 (“Lightweight torpedo”) [Pym agrees STING RAY should proceed] [declassified Jul 2016]
79 Jul 23 Mo Major Defence: No.10 briefing for MT (“OD: Lightweight Torpedo”) [room for Sting Ray in the Budget] [declassified Jul 2016]
79 Jul 23 Mo Major Defence: Geoffrey Howe minute to MT (“Future Lightweight Torpedo”) [“the financial considerations point overwhelmingly to the cancellation of Stingray and the purchase of Neartip”] [declassified Jul 2016]
79 Sep 18 Tu Major Defence: No.10 briefing for MT (“Future Lightweight Torpedo (OD(79) 22)”) [signs of programme increasing in cost] [declassified Jul 2016]
80 Mar 18 Tu Major Defence: MoD briefing (“Torpedoes”) [review into British record of producing torpedoes, comments on Captain Moore’s memo] [declassified Jul 2016]
80 Nov 10 Mo Major Defence: Robert Armstrong minute to No.10 (Torpedoes) [Weinstock anxious at impact of spending cuts on Sting Ray] [declassified Jul 2016]
80 Nov 24 Mo Minor Defence: Lord Weinstock letter to MT (Sting Ray programme) [would MT visit to open the new factory?] [declassified Jul 2016]
80 Dec 5 Fr Major Defence: MoD minute to No.10 (invitation to open Stingray production facility) [issues of defence programme still being under review, PAC report on cost of Stingray] [declassified Jul 2016]
80 Dec 8 Mo Minor Defence: MT letter to Lord Weinstock (Sting Ray programme) [arrangements for proposed visit to open the new factory] [declassified Jul 2016]
81 Jun 30 Tu Major Defence: No.10 minute to MT (heavyweight torpedo) [decision not likely before early autumn, Lord Weinstock has misunderstood the situation] [declassified Jul 2016]
81 Sep 4 Fr Major Defence: No.10 minute to MT (“The Heavyweight Torpedo”) [MoD seeking advice on choice of torpedo - British model manufacturer versus cheaper American alternative] [declassified Jul 2016]
81 Sep 16 We Major Defence: MT message to Marconi Defence Systems (heavyweight torpedo) [choice of Marconi is a “gesture of confidence”] [declassified Jul 2016]
81 Sep 21 Mo Major Defence: GJW Government Relations letter to John Coles (Trident and other projects) [Marconi’s problems competing for US defence contracts] [declassified Jul 2016]
81 Dec 15 Tu Major Defence: MoD minute to No.10 (“Heavyweight Torpedo”) [deal struck with Marconi on contract for Stingray] [declassified Jul 2016]
85 Oct 31 Th Major Defence: Lord Weinstock letter to Michael Heseltine (“Committee of Public Accounts - Torpedo Report”) [report inaccurate, hostile press commentary, “having a serious adverse impact on the export opportunities for torpedoes”] [declassified Jul 2016]
85 Nov 29 Fr Major Defence: Michael Heseltine minute to Lord Weinstock (“Committee of Public Accounts - Torpedo Report”) [“The MoD has supported fully and promoted both export sales and collaboration”] [declassified Jul 2016]
86 Jan 3 Fr Major Defence: MoD minute to Charles Powell (“Torpedo Orders”) [press release, briefing on production order for Stingray] [declassified Jul 2016]
86 Dec 15 Mo Major Defence: Commander-in-Chief Fleet letter to Lord Weinstock (TIGERFISH torpedo) [fleet is pleased with the technology] [declassified Jul 2016]