We intend to fit the Type 31 frigate with the Mark 41 vertical launch system. Working closely with the US Navy, we have commenced a formal assessment phase to explore the options, costs, and opportunities to deliver this. At this early stage, it would be inappropriate to provide any further information whilst this commercially sensitive work is ongoing.

Aircraft certification is currently forecast to be delivered in 2026. This is the point at which the full weapon system capability for SEA VENOM will be provided to the Royal Navy (RN) and the final modification of Wildcat can commence.

The RN already has a number of aircrew trained in the operation of the current capability of the SEA VENOM weapon system. For ground crew, SEA VENOM handling and loading already forms part of the core WILDCAT weapons course delivered by the Wildcat Training Centre.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to fund research and development (R&D) to protect the UK from a variety of threats. Missile defence R&D is delivered by the UK Missile Defence Centre (MDC) which is a government-industry partnership led by the MOD. The MDC funds research to underpin capability development and sustain critical capabilities, integrating relevant research and technologies from across MOD's Science & Technology portfolio. The research programme covers existing and future ballistic threats as well as evolving hypersonic threats.

The MOD works closely with NATO and International Partners across a range of related R&D areas. The UK is committed to co-operation with the United States and Australia on counter-hypersonics through the AUKUS partnership.

Yes, the Department is holding advanced discussions with the US Government with a view to procuring the APKWS II laser-guided rocket system for the AH-64E.

I can confirm that this Department is fully engaged with industry, allies and partners to ensure that all munitions stocks granted in kind to the armed forces of Ukraine are replaced as expeditiously as possible. In tandem, further stocks of such weapons already held by the UK but maintained at a lower state of readiness are being rapidly refurbished to add to the operational stockpile. Both processes are ongoing and, for obvious reasons of operational security, it would be inappropriate to discuss timelines or numbers at this stage.

The bulk of the savings relate to the fact that notwithstanding the Department’s significant confidence in Brimstone and its ongoing development, the decision was taken to field the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile onto Apache. This decision expedited a solution for a capability gap faster than could be achieved through the Brimstone 3 option.

The scheduled delivery dates for METEOR and SPEAR 3 have been delayed owing to prioritisation in the overall F-35 development programme, managed by the US led F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO). SPEAR 1 (Paveway 4) has already been integrated on UK F-35B Lightning aircraft.

The scheduled delivery dates for METEOR and SPEAR 3 have been delayed owing to prioritisation in the overall F-35 development programme, managed by the US led F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO). SPEAR 1 (Paveway 4) has already been integrated on UK F-35B Lightning aircraft.

Defence endorsed the requirement for an Electronic Warfare variant missile. We have completed a Technology Demonstration Programme on this capability with our industry partners and funding for the next stage of development has been assessed.

The Ministry of Defence has not yet committed to a stockpile purchase of Joint Air to Ground Missiles. Any future procurement will be through a new Foreign Military Sales mechanism with the US Government.

We continue to scope options for the Royal Navy's future offensive capabilities, alongside wider lethality requirements. We are committed to delivering a new surface to surface guided weapon that will allow us to deliver on the commitments outlined in the Integrated Review. No final decisions have yet been made.

Programme Gladiator, the RAF's contribution to the Defence Operational Training Capability (DOTC), will integrate the E-3D Rearcrew Trainer (RCT) from Mar 2022 to provide a transitional capability to E-7A Wedgetail, the Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer (JFST) in spring 2023, the Typhoon Future Synthetic Trainer (TFST) in autumn 2023 and UK F-35B Lightning in 2024.

Following our recent announcement of further investment in Gladiator, work is underway to formalise integration of additional training systems including E-7A Wedgetail, scheduled for spring 2026, as well as Airseeker, Poseidon, Protector, Crowsnest, Guardian and the Maritime Composite Training System (MTCS) over the 2023-2026 timeframe.

While AH-64E Apache and Land Ceptor/Sky Sabre will be computer-generated in the Gladiator Synthetic environment from Initial Operating Capability, there are no funded plans to integrate their respective simulator synthetic training systems; however, options to further expand Gladiator continue to be explored.

An Invitation to Tender for a Surface to Surface Guided Weapon system has not yet been released. We continue to scope options for the Royal Navy’s next surface to surface guided weapon system, alongside wider lethality requirements, to allow us to deliver on the commitments outlined in the Integrated Review. No final decisions have yet been made.

The estimated costs of integrating ASRAAM, Paveway IV and SPEAR Cap 3 weapons onto the F-35 Lightning are as follows: ASRAAM: £47 million, Paveway IV: £103 million, SPEAR Cap 3: £170 million.

As the procurement of a Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapon had not yet reached the stage of issuing Invitation to Tender or Invitation to Negotiate at the point that application of the Social Value Model became mandated. The procurement team will consider what Social Value criteria to include when the competition enters its next stage.

The Future Cruise/ Anti-Ship Weapon Programme is due to complete Concept Phase activity in July 2021. The Concept Phase has been focussed on conducting in depth operational analysis, technical studies and initial design activity to refine user requirements and better understand the options available to MOD to meet these. The Concept Phase findings forms part of the Programme's Outline Business Case for Ministerial consideration.

The Planning Assumption for Service Entry for Future Cruise /Anti-Ship Weapon on the T26 Frigate and Typhoon aircraft is 2028 and 2030 respectively.

The planning assumption for the Future Cruise/Anti-ship Weapon is that it will be operated from both the T26 Frigate and Typhoon aircraft.

The total spend to date on Future Cruise/ Anti-Ship Weapon and associated activities by the Ministry of Defence is £95 million.

We continue to scope options for maintaining a surface-to-surface guided weapon system alongside wider lethality requirements as part of our work to deliver on the recent Integrated Review.