Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has considered gifting Watchkeeper to Ukraine.

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

The UK and partners will continue to ensure we equip Ukraine as best we can to defend its sovereign territory and ensure it is in a position of strength for any peace negotiations.

Since Watchkeeper Mk1 entered service in 2010, drone technology has evolved at remarkable pace, driven by the extensive use of unmanned systems in the war in Ukraine. The Department has therefore prioritised this effort on more cost-effective drones that deliver comparable capability and can operate in the most demanding environments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total budget now allocated for the Watchkeeper RPV, between November 2024 (the previously announced cancellation date) and March 2027.

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

With the retirement of Watchkeeper Mk 1, the Army will transition rapidly to a new, advanced system that draws on the latest operational lessons and technological innovations.

The total budget allocated over the period November 2024 to March 2027 for the Watchkeeper Remotely Piloted Vehicle is £115.886 million.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated in-service date for Project Corvus, the planned replacement for the Watchkeeper RPV.

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

With the retirement of Watchkeeper Mk 1, the Army will transition rapidly to a new, advanced system that draws on the latest operational lessons and technological innovations.

On current plans, Project CORVUS is scheduled to be delivered in November 2026, in advance of the Watchkeeper Out of Service Date of March 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

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

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

I refer the right 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.

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, whether he plans to withdraw the Watchkeeper RPV from operational service with the Army.

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

I refer the right 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.

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 his recent WMS on Ajax of 22 January 2026, whether the current or former National Armament Director advised him that Ajax was safe to enter operational service.

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

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 17 December 2025 to Question 98361 which remains extant.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ajax armoured vehicles had been delivered by General Dynamics to a) his Department and b) the Army as of 1 November 2025.

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

As of 1 November 2025:

166 Capability Drop 3 platforms were accepted by the Ministry of Defence and 156 of these were delivered to the Army.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the status of the proposed P4E electronic upgrade for the RAF's Typhoon fleet.

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

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 November 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) to Question 92198.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated in service date for the RCH 155 artillery system with the British Army.

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

The Mobile Fires Platform Project, which will deliver the Remote‑Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) wheeled artillery system, remains in its assessment phase and is subject to contract. It is therefore too early to confirm expected in‑service dates.

Good progress is being made through the joint UK–Germany Early Concept Demonstrator contract, which will enable shared trials and evaluation.

Assessment and demonstration activities will run concurrently to accelerate delivery and achieve a Minimum Deployable Capability within this decade.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated in-service date for HMS Venturer.

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

The first Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer is scheduled to be ready for operations by the end of the decade.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to allocate one of the eight Type 26 frigates currently intended for the Royal Navy to Norway.

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

Working together with our Norwegian Partners we are assessing options for offering Type 26 build slots currently allocated to the Royal Navy to the Royal Norwegian Navy.

The Royal Navy will receive all eight Type 26 ships during the late 2020s and 2030s as planned. Norway's biggest ever defence procurement deal will see a combined fleet of 13 Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates - eight British and at least five Norwegian - operate jointly in Northern Europe, significantly strengthening NATO's northern flank.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will give the latest estimated in-service date for HMS Belfast.

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

The T26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver eight world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates to replace the anti-submarine warfare T23s. All ships are expected to enter service from the late 2020s with the added advantage of working alongside up to six identical Royal Norwegian Navy vessels.

Type 26 Frigates will allow the Royal Navy to continue to play a leading role in the anti-submarine theatre of the North Atlantic, providing a crucial output to both NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force.