The UK capability to deliver 'Control of the Air' beyond Typhoon out of service date has been described in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) Concept of Employment and supporting documents. This requirement describes an integrated system of systems, in which the core platform is currently referred to as Tempest. Analysis is ongoing to determine specific quantities of platforms needed to satisfy the UK defence needs. This includes crewed and uncrewed collaborative platforms.

In line with the Integrated Review, we are continuing to develop Future Combat Air System (FCAS) as a replacement for the capabilities provided by our Typhoon aircraft. Advances in technology mean it is being designed to deliver an even larger range and depth of capabilities than current platforms to address emerging threats, including greater networked interoperability with uncrewed aircraft and F-35. FCAS will therefore replace the UK Typhoon roles and will complement the F35 fleet but not replace it.

The UK capability to deliver 'Control of the Air' beyond Typhoon out of service date has been described in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) Concept of Employment and supporting documents. This requirement describes an integrated system of systems, in which the core platform is currently referred to as Tempest. Analysis is ongoing to determine specific quantities of platforms needed to satisfy the UK defence needs. This includes crewed and uncrewed collaborative platforms.

In line with the Integrated Review, we are continuing to develop Future Combat Air System (FCAS) as a replacement for the capabilities provided by our Typhoon aircraft. Advances in technology mean it is being designed to deliver an even larger range and depth of capabilities than current platforms to address emerging threats, including greater networked interoperability with uncrewed aircraft and F-35. FCAS will therefore replace the UK Typhoon roles and will complement the F35 fleet but not replace it.

The 2021 Defence Command Paper said that we will invest more than £2 billion out to 2025. This is part of a UK budget of over £10 billion over the next ten years, although the ultimate amount we invest will depend on key programme choices.

We are now in the Concept and Assessment Phase (2021-25), during which key work is being undertaken to define and begin design of the capability we require. The design of the aircraft will be a key factor in determining the number we seek to acquire and this should be clearer by the end of the Concept and Assessment Phase.

The 2021 Defence Command Paper said that we will invest more than £2 billion out to 2025. This is part of a UK budget of over £10 billion over the next ten years, although the ultimate amount we invest will depend on key programme choices.

We are now in the Concept and Assessment Phase (2021-25), during which key work is being undertaken to define and begin design of the capability we require. The design of the aircraft will be a key factor in determining the number we seek to acquire and this should be clearer by the end of the Concept and Assessment Phase.

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is being designed to replace the capabilities provided by the RAF’s Typhoon aircraft, which will leave service by 2040. This includes roles such as quick reaction alert with the ability to be fully interoperable with F-35B. It is therefore being designed to operate from airfields on the land.

We are developing concepts for a Future Combat Air System (FCAS), to be operated by the RAF. FCAS is intended to replace the capabilities provided by our Typhoon aircraft, as set out in the Integrated Review. As such, any decisions on squadron designations will not need to be taken until later in the next decade.

The 2021 Defence Command Paper said that we would invest over £2 billion in Future Combat Air System over the following four years. This includes funding for the Concept and Assessment Phase, which was launched in summer last year, with an initial investment of £250 million in a contract with Team Tempest industry partners to deliver it. The total ultimately invested thereafter will be contingent on decisions made towards the end of the Concept and Assessment Phase.

The 2018 Combat Air Strategy confirmed the UK's commitment to a strong and sustainable Combat Air Sector. The Strategy reinforced the importance of effective international partnering in delivering next generation combat air and building on mutual strengths. The Strategy also confirmed that we will seek to maximise interoperability, especially with the United States, wider NATO, European and global allies and partners. The Department will shortly submit the future combat air outline business case, which will down-select the acquisition route.

The F-35 is at the beginning of its service life and is the most effective and developed aircraft capable of Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) based operations. The Tempest acquisition programme is looking at the replacement of Typhoon's capabilities and any new combat air system will need to be interoperable with Carrier Enabled Power Projection. During the Concept Phase, QEC basing for any unmanned force multipliers which may form part of the future combat air system is being considered.

Team Tempest is a UK national project and is a subset of the UK's Future Combat Air System Technology Initiative (FCAS TI), a 10-year technology development and demonstration programme. The term Future Combat Air System could refer to a number of international Air projects or systems being developed, including the UK programme to replace Typhoon's capabilities from 2040 onwards. This programme is called the Combat Air Acquisition Programme (CAAP). The RAF team who deliver FCAS TI work closely with the CAAP team, based in Head Office, informing the CAAP Concept Phase.

The term Future Combat Air System refers to a number of international Air projects. The department does not recognise the term 'EU Future Combat Air System' and assumes the question refers to the French-German Next Generation Fighter (NGF), which is a component of their Next Generation Weapon System (NGWS). This has previously been referred to as the Système de Combat Aérien Futur (SCAF).

The UK has held discussions with a number of EU and other nations on future combat air systems. Public statements made by the French and German governments indicate that carrier compatibility is a requirement for NGF and being considered for other parts of NGWS.

The term Future Combat Air System refers to a number of international Air projects. The Department does not recognise the term 'EU Future Combat Air System' and assumes the question refers to the French-German Next Generation Fighter (NGF), which is a component of their Next Generation Weapon System (NGWS). This has previously been referred to as the Système de Combat Aérien Futur (SCAF). The UK has held discussions with a number of EU and other nations on future combat air systems.

The F-35 is at the beginning of its service life and is the most effective and developed aircraft capable of Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carrier operations. The combat air acquisition programme is looking at the replacement of Typhoon's capabilities and any new combat air system will need to be interoperable with the Carrier Enabled Power Projection (CEPP) programme. The concept phase of the acquisition programme will consider QEC basing for any unmanned force multipliers which may form part of the future combat air system.

We have held discussions with a number of European and other nations on future combat air systems. Effective international partnering offers the UK the best opportunity to deliver affordable military capability and our wider national objectives, while maintaining operational advantage and freedom of action.