Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the out of service date for Watchkeeper.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 October 2025 to Question 77261 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) which remains extant:

As announced by the Secretary of State in 2024, the Army’s Watchkeeper Mk 1 Uncrewed Aerial System is in the process of being retired from service with an Out of Service Date of March 2027.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-09-15/77261

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament is defined as (a) the MOD budget and (b) NATO declared defence spending.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The £270 billion is the total of the Ministry of Defence's budget from financial year 2025/26 to 2028/29. This was published following the Spending Review last year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on delivering Project Corvus.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Project CORVUS is scheduled to deliver Minimum Deployable Capability in late 2026, in advance of the Watchkeeper Out of Service Date of March 2027. The project is currently out to tender and aims to select a bidder by April 2026.

Project CORVUS is currently costed at £185 million, however it is subject to wider investment decisions in the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January to Question 105260 on Artillery: Procurement, when the full production contract will be placed.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On current plans, the Department intends to place the full production contract for the Mobile Fires Platform in the coming months. Negotiations with the supplier are ongoing, and the Department is making every effort to bring these to a positive conclusion at the earliest opportunity.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January to Question 99911, if he will name the two AI contracts that have been awarded by his Department since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I am withholding this information for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 January to Question 107089 on Typhoon Aircraft: Radar, whether the £205 million investment to deliver the European Common Radar System (ECRS) MK2 includes funding for the Phase 4 Enhancement capability package.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The recently announced £205 million, 5-year contract with QinetiQ provides a range of expert technical advice and services to help keep Typhoon safe, airworthy, and upgraded to the latest capability standard.

The contract will include technical advice and services to help Ministry of Defence deliver the ECRS Mk2 upgrade into service via the Phase 4 Enhancement programme. However, the main 4-Nation contract to deliver the Phase 4 Enhancement (and which includes a UK share of the funding) is expected to follow in 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will state the total cost of delivering Project Corvus.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Project CORVUS is scheduled to deliver Minimum Deployable Capability in late 2026, in advance of the Watchkeeper Out of Service Date of March 2027. The project is currently out to tender and aims to select a bidder by April 2026.

Project CORVUS is currently costed at £185 million, however it is subject to wider investment decisions in the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, if he will breakdown £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament in each remaining financial year of this Parliament defined as (a) the MOD budget and (b) NATO declared defence spending.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The £270 billion is the total of the Ministry of Defence's budget from financial year 2025/26 to 2028/29. This was published following the Spending Review last year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel will participate in the British Army's small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems training pathways in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Centralised training in small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) is delivered by the Land Warfare Centre, with distributed training subsequently provided by individual units within the Field Army.

As of February 2026, 282 personnel are currently participating in the British Army’s centralised sUAS training pathways. Exact figures for those currently undertaking distributed training are not available as these figures are not held centrally.

Looking ahead, we have currently made available 915 spaces for centralised training and expect around 2,000 personnel to undertake distributed training in future financial years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel are currently participating in the British Army's small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems training pathways.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Centralised training in small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) is delivered by the Land Warfare Centre, with distributed training subsequently provided by individual units within the Field Army.

As of February 2026, 282 personnel are currently participating in the British Army’s centralised sUAS training pathways. Exact figures for those currently undertaking distributed training are not available as these figures are not held centrally.

Looking ahead, we have currently made available 915 spaces for centralised training and expect around 2,000 personnel to undertake distributed training in future financial years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the specified operational locations which qualify service personnel to receive the Operational Allowance.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Service personnel on deployed operations in the following Specified Operational Locations qualify for the payment of Operational Allowance:

Chad (all locations)

Egypt (Sinai only)

Iraq (all locations)

Mali (all locations)

Somalia (all locations)

South Sudan (all locations)

Democratic Republic of Congo (Goma only)

Lebanon (Naquora only)

Lebanon (Beirut only) – backdated for period 6 September 2024 to 27 November 2024 only

Red Sea (within operational areas) – backdated to 23 May 2025

I am withholding the names of some locations for the purpose of safeguarding national security, as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, whether any programmes in existence prior to 26 March 2025 will be included in the 10% committed to be spent on novel technologies from the MOD equipment budget.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including directing at least 10% of our equipment procurement annually on novel technologies, which will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

That will include a mixture a significant number of existing defence programmes which are already at the cutting edge, as well as new initiatives like directed energy weapons, AI and autonomous platforms.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107727 on Unmanned Air Systems: Higher Education, how many of the (a) civilians and (b) soldiers enrolled on the undergraduate drone degree does he expect to participate on the British Army's small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems training pathways.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Centralised training in small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) is delivered by the Land Warfare Centre, with distributed training subsequently provided by individual units within the Field Army.

As of February 2026, 282 personnel are currently participating in the British Army’s centralised sUAS training pathways. Exact figures for those currently undertaking distributed training are not available as these figures are not held centrally.

Looking ahead, we have currently made available 915 spaces for centralised training and expect around 2,000 personnel to undertake distributed training in future financial years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the out of service date for Bowman.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On current plans, Bowman's Out of Service Date will be no later than 2035, and no earlier than 2031.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 108701 on Skynet: Procurement, when the Skynet 6A will complete the testing and validation phase.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Skynet 6 Programme continues to progress in support of Defence’s satellite communications requirements.

The testing and validation of Skynet 6A is expected to complete final acceptance activity by mid-2027, leading to issue of the Certificate of Acceptance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament will be spent in each remaining financial year of this Parliament.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence's budget until financial year 2028/29 was published in the Spending Review last year and a year-by-year breakdown can be found there.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a list of all (a) UK and (b) overseas sites currently used for long-range kinetic drone testing broken down by the maximum range of each location.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners.

I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) UK and (b) international long-range kinetic drone testing sites will be operational in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners.

I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a list of all (a) UK and (b) overseas sites currently used for long-range kinetic drone testing.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners.

I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there is a maximum range at which long-range kinetic drones can be tested.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners.

I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, if he will provide the reason that the Protector RG MK1 did not declare Initial Operating Capability.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the necessary supporting requirements are in place so that it can be met at the earliest opportunity.

However, in general terms, the air vehicles are but one part of the air system and therefore milestones will be achieved when requirements are met across a number of areas including; personnel force growth, infrastructure and support contracts, crew training and competence in role, and interoperability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many Protector RG MK1s need to be in use in order to declare Initial Operating Capability.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the necessary supporting requirements are in place so that it can be met at the earliest opportunity.

However, in general terms, the air vehicles are but one part of the air system and therefore milestones will be achieved when requirements are met across a number of areas including; personnel force growth, infrastructure and support contracts, crew training and competence in role, and interoperability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, what conditions need to be met to declare Initial Operating Capability.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the necessary supporting requirements are in place so that it can be met at the earliest opportunity.

However, in general terms, the air vehicles are but one part of the air system and therefore milestones will be achieved when requirements are met across a number of areas including; personnel force growth, infrastructure and support contracts, crew training and competence in role, and interoperability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing Project Ark Royal.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL have been incorporated into the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy (MATX). MATX envisages a Fleet Air Arm that is ‘uncrewed where possible; crewed where necessary,’ and will help to realise the Hybrid Air Wing recommended in the Strategic Defence Review.

Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL are no longer in use. Instead, Project VANQUISH has been established to demonstrate a short take-off and landing, jet powered Autonomous Collaborative Platform capable of operating from a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier. The project will generate evidence to inform the development of uncrewed fixed wing aircraft for operation from Royal Navy aircraft carriers without requiring the installation of Assisted Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE), subject to Defence Investment Plan decisions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing Project VIXEN.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL have been incorporated into the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy (MATX). MATX envisages a Fleet Air Arm that is ‘uncrewed where possible; crewed where necessary,’ and will help to realise the Hybrid Air Wing recommended in the Strategic Defence Review.

Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL are no longer in use. Instead, Project VANQUISH has been established to demonstrate a short take-off and landing, jet powered Autonomous Collaborative Platform capable of operating from a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier. The project will generate evidence to inform the development of uncrewed fixed wing aircraft for operation from Royal Navy aircraft carriers without requiring the installation of Assisted Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE), subject to Defence Investment Plan decisions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament will be spent on the procurement of uncrewed systems for the British armed forces.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including the procurement of uncrewed systems, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many Protector RG MK1s are currently in use.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Sixteen Protector RG Mk1 air vehicles have been purchased by the UK, eight of which have been delivered into service, with others remaining in test and evaluation with the manufacturer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether a new competition will be started to replace Project Lily.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, whether the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament includes funding for Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The £270 billion is the total of the Ministry of Defence's budget from financial year 2025/26 to 2028/29. This was published following the Spending Review last year.

£3 billion in support of Ukraine for each financial is included as part of that settlement.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many procurement orders are currently awaiting approval by the (a) Treasury and (b) Cabinet Office for a value of (i) over £1 million, (ii) £500,000 to £1 million and (iii) under £500,000 since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Department can confirm that, as of 5 July 2024, three cases are currently awaiting approval from the Treasury, and six cases above £1 million are awaiting approval from the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will state the reason for the termination of Project Lily.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to implement a new project to replace Project Lily.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much will be spent on Defence in the next Parliament.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government has set a clear ambition to spend 3% in the next Parliament as fiscal and economic conditions allow.

The Ministry of Defence's settlement over the next Parliament has not been decided and will be considered as part of future Spending Reviews.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 103618, when the Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme placement details will be finalised.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 16 January 2026, to Question 104236.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-08/104236