Combat Air Capability

Baroness Goldie Excerpts

Thursday 10th October 2024 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Goldie]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the United Kingdom’s future combat air capability.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Coaker) (Lab)]

My Lords, our assessment of the future combat air capability we require is informed by consideration of the future threat environment and strategic context. Consequently, the Global Combat Air Programme has been designed to utilise advanced capabilities, including next-generation sensors, weapons and data systems. Networked interoperability with allies and partners will be key. In the meantime, we continue to invest in our current fleet, which remains highly capable.

[Baroness Goldie (Con)]

I thank the noble Lord for that part-reassurance. The previous Government’s commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme—GCAP—was clear and we were doing it in partnership with Italy and Japan. However, with the best of intentions, the current Government’s position is opaque. Can the noble Lord at least reassure the House that the Government understand the need to plan now for a successor to Typhoon and the extent to which UK industry is supporting thousands of jobs across the UK—not least, for example, at Leonardo in Edinburgh—that depend on this programme proceeding?