Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the Defence Investment Plan before Christmas.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will determine how Defence intends to realise the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review and it is currently due for publication this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to increase the number of operational Royal Navy warships in this financial year.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Currently the Royal Navy has 52 Surface Ships in service, held at the appropriate level of readiness to meet operational commitments.

The Royal Navy continues to modernise its Fleet through careful management of a surface fleet transition plan to ensure the highest priority outputs are maintained through this decade and the next. We are replacing our Type 23 Frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 Frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 Frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence on the global stage. The Fleet Solid Support ships similarly represent the renewal of RFA solid support capability providing the ammunition, stores and spares to sustain global operations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the Power Improvement Programme will be completed for all Type 45 destroyers.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, in the House of Commons on 11 December 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge), in response to Question 96770 about the forward plans for the Type 45 Destroyer's Power Improvement Project.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-03/96770

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government when carrier-based F35 aircraft will be equipped with the latest air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

F-35 aircraft are already equipped with the latest air-air weapons ASRAAM and AMRAAM and the latest air-to-surface weapon Paveway IV.

For future munitions I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided on 17 November 2025 to Questions 87990, 87995 and 88005 in the House of Commons.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-04/87990

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to fit defensive laser systems to the UK's aircraft carriers.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers were designed with adaptability in mind, enabling capability upgrades throughout their service life. This flexibility ensures the Royal Navy can integrate emerging technologies and maintain operational advantage.

The Royal Navy remains committed to building combat mass while staying at the forefront of innovation. As part of this effort, a £316 million contract has been awarded to deliver the advanced DragonFire laser weapon system from 2027. This cutting-edge capability will augment the Type 45 destroyers and operate alongside the QEC carriers within the Carrier Strike Group, enhancing layered defence and future-proofing the fleet against evolving threats.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the UK's carrier battle groups will have a carrier-based, fully autonomous, unmanned air-to-air refuelling tanker.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy (RN) is exploring Fixed Wing Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) as an augmentation for the F-35B Lightning jets embarked on Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) carriers. This would be as a means of providing additional strike capability and air-to-air refuelling within the Hybrid Air Wing construct. The RN will work collaboratively with the Royal Air Force to evaluate emerging solutions for this capability.

Project Vanquish, the demonstration of a short take-off and landing jet- powered ACP to a QEC carrier, was recently announced by the First Sea Lord and is the first step to realising this ambition.

Investment decisions to support Strategic Defence Review recommendations are being developed by the Ministry of Defence and will be published in the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the UK's carrier battle groups will have a carrier-based, fully autonomous, unmanned Carrier Onboard Delivery capability.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy recognises the potential of autonomous systems to enhance the resilience and flexibility of Carrier Strike operations. All options for a Carrier Onboard Delivery capability are being considered, and work is currently underway to explore unmanned, autonomous, Maritime Inter- and Intra-Theatre Lift (MITL) capabilities, including trials of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft capable of operating from Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.

This approach is consistent with the development of the Hybrid Air Wings recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. Investment decisions are being developed and will be published in the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the UK's carrier battle groups will have fully functioning carrier-based Airborne Early Warning.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control system provides carrier-based airborne early warning. It achieved Full Operating Capability in March 2025.

Found: Admiral Rt Hon Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC PC, Labour Peer in the House of Lords and a former Head