I am withholding this information for reasons of operational security.

It would not be appropriate to comment on specific ammunition stock levels, as disclosure could prejudice operational security. The Ministry of Defence keeps all munitions requirements under regular review to ensure that the Royal Navy can meet its operational commitments.

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, from the early 2030s we will bring a new Hybrid Navy Maritime Air Defence system into service. It will comprise uncrewed missile (Type 91) and sensor (Type 94) platforms distributed throughout our Maritime Task Groups, with a new Common Combat Vessel serving as the central command and control hub for the system, coordinating and controlling the uncrewed elements. This system will eventually replace our Type 45 Destroyers.

The United Kingdom undertook extensive studies and assessment activity on the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC). This work informed the UK's understanding of advanced network-enabled air defence and alternative approaches to integrated maritime air and missile defence.

The Ministry of Defence prioritised the development and demonstration of a UK-led network-enabled engagement capability better aligned to national requirements. The specific CEC acquisition programme was subsequently discontinued in 2012 under the last administration. Since then, the Royal Navy has continued to invest in the evolution of its air defence and combat system capabilities.

The Defence Investment Plan has allocated a specific funding line within this parliament to conduct a study on the transition between Type 45 and the Hybrid Navy Maritime Air Defence capability, including whether a life extension will be required. As previously stated, this will be assessed in 2027-28.

As announced in the Defence Investment Plan, the MOD will invest £490 million in Directed Energy Weapons, including DragonFire. With the transition to a Hybrid Navy and modernisation of our Armed Forces we are exploring how DragonFire could be utilised in a range of operational environments, taking lessons from the recent conflict in the Middle East.

The Defence Investment Plan has allocated a specific funding line within this parliament to conduct a study on the transition between Type 45 and the Hybrid Navy Maritime Air Defence capability, including whether a life extension will be required. As previously stated in the answer to the original question, this will be assessed in 2027-28.

For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely provide detailed forecasts relating to the integration and deployment readiness of specific weapon systems on individual classes of vessel. The Royal Navy continues to progress the integration of the Naval Strike Missile in accordance with approved capability plans.

The role of Maritime Air Defence, currently delivered by Type 45 Destroyers, will be delivered in the future by a mix of crewed Common Combat Vessels and uncrewed, autonomous missile (Type 91) and sensor (Type 94) ships.

The decision to move to this hybrid approach was taken after detailed analysis of current and future threats, including lessons from ongoing conflicts. The specific analysis is necessarily classified, but the mix of crewed and uncrewed systems will produce a more flexible force, with greater missile capacity while also improving mass. The alternative, an expensive, exquisite platform such as the Type 83, would have resulted in too few ships to cover all the Royal Navy’s tasks, increasing risk. Detailed planning for the transition between Type 45 and the Hybrid Navy Maritime Air Defence capability will be undertaken in consultation with industry, which will determine whether a Type 45 extension is implemented. A final decision is not expected until 2027-28.

The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of the Capability One Sea Viper upgrade and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 26 June 2026, the project has spent £223.653 million. This is an increase of £5.053 million since I answered the same question asked by the hon. Member on 13 April 2026.

The Sea Viper air defence system is subject to regular trials and evaluation activity to ensure it remains safe, effective and fit for operational use. As he will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish details of individual trials, including their timing, as disclosure could prejudice operational security and capability assurance activity.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to Question 123464 on 1 April 2026:

On current plans, the last Type 45 Destroyer will retire from service by the end of 2038. The Royal Navy does not release out of service dates for individual ships.

The cost of delivering and manufacturing Sea Viper Evolution Capability Two has not yet been negotiated. Capability Two remains in the assessment phase to inform future capability and investment choices, and the associated delivery and manufacturing costs will be negotiated in due course.

The Ministry of Defence keeps the readiness of its Destroyer and Frigate fleets under continual review to meet operational tasking.

For security reasons, we do not routinely disclose elements of the Fleet's schedule and readiness profiles.

All decisions on capabilities will be made in the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) which the Prime Minister is determined to publish before the NATO summit. The DIP will lay out the plan, leveraging Atlantic Shield under the Hybrid Navy construct to ensure the Royal Navy maintains warfighting readiness and is ready for future threats.

The Ministry of Defence keeps the personnel requirements and operating models of its surface fleet, including the Type 45 Destroyers, under continual review to ensure they remain effective, safe and aligned with operational demands.

Any change would be subject to rigorous assessment, including safety, operational effectiveness and value for money considerations.

The Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers are equipped with the Sea Viper air defence system, which employs the Aster family of precision-guided missiles to engage and defeat a range of airborne threats. These radar-guided munitions form the core of the ship’s principal air defence capability, providing long-range protection.

Yes.

Following the recent challenges with deploying HMS Dragon to the middle east at short notice, will the defence readiness Bill, which was mentioned in the strategic defence review, urgently review how our Type 45 destroyers can be made more readily available to defend against aerial attacks?