Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question 62175, tabled on 24 June 2025.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I will respond to the right hon. Member shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's definition of Initial Operational Capability is for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet; and what specific criteria must be met.

Answered by Maria Eagle - 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 Initial Operational Capability is clearly defined and the RAF 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, it will factor a range of milestones on airframe capability; personnel force growth; infrastructure and support contracts; crew training and competence in role; deployability and interoperability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the second Royal Air Force E-7 Wedgetail airframe (WT002) did not conduct test flights during the period when WT001 was grounded.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The three aircraft arrived at the modification facility at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham between January 2021 and October 2022. Given their staggered arrival, the aircraft modification programmes are at varying degrees of completion.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the special clearance for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail is related to challenges in integrating the Northrop Grumman Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array MESA radar with the aircraft.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Wedgetail is not flying under any special clearance. The aircraft Test and Evaluation programme is being conducted under a Military Permit To Fly in accordance with Military Aviation Authority regulations. This allows the aircraft to be flown by Boeing during the test programme until delivery to the RAF. Once in Service the aircraft will have a Release to Service for flying. Safety is our number one priority, and we will always be compliant with regulations. The next stage of the test and evaluation programme is to calibrate the radar and this work commences on 18 July 2025. Once radar calibration has concluded, the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar will be in a position to be live tested.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what were the reasons for the nine-month gap between the first flight of the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail (WT001) in September 2024 and its subsequent test flight.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Between delivery to STS Aviation and its first flight in September 2024 the aircraft has undergone significant structural modification to support the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar and mission systems. Since concluding previous flights in autumn 2024, the aircraft progressed into mission system installation as part of the build schedule.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contractual penalties will Boeing face if it fails to deliver the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft to the agreed capability standards; and how will these penalties be enforced.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

There is no additional cost to the Authority (MOD) due to the late delivery of the aircraft, as Boeing are contracted to deliver a fleet of three Wedgetail under a Firm Price contract. The contract does include incentivisation milestones which are subject to enforcement measures based on contractor performance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with NATO allies on the potential procurement of Saab’s GlobalEye as a replacement for the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System fleet.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Procurement decisions by any other NATO nation are fully a matter for that nation and NATO. The MOD will continue with its procurement of Wedgetail to meet national and NATO requirements for Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) which will be interoperable with allies. Wedgetail has superior speed, range, persistence and crew capacity over alternative platforms. Furthermore, the Wedgetail has a more powerful radar with increased detection capability providing far earlier threat detection against more challenging targets at range.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the special clearance for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail applies to the whole fleet; and for what reason that clearance is required.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Wedgetail is not flying under any special clearance. The aircraft Test and Evaluation programme is being conducted under a Military Permit To Fly in accordance with Military Aviation Authority regulations. This allows the aircraft to be flown by Boeing during the test programme until delivery to the RAF. Once in Service the aircraft will have a Release to Service for flying. Safety is our number one priority, and we will always be complaint with regulations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the (a) radar and (b) battle management systems were activated during the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail test flight on 10 July 2025.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This flight was a post-modification test flight to confirm the aircraft systems function correctly. Mission system testing will commence in autumn 2025 as part of a planned Test and Evaluation schedule.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet will be supported in the United States; and what the cost is of that support contract.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK E-7 will be supported and maintained in the United Kingdom. Following the approval of the Full Business Case, the sustainment contract is under negotiation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of South Korea’s decision to explore alternatives for its E-7 Wedgetail replacement.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Procurement decisions by any other nation are fully a matter for that nation.