Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Type 45 Destroyers that (a) have completed, (b) are undergoing and (c) are yet to commence the Power Improvement Project power upgrade.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 11 December 2025, in response to Question 96770 about the Type 45 Destroyer's Power Improvement Project.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of air-to-air refuelling capability on future force development planning.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Air to air refuelling remains a key capability within the Air Mobility Force and increases the endurance, range, payload and flexibility of all capable receiver aircraft. This capability remains important to not only the RAF, but also for our NATO allies. The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the importance of air to air refuelling in defending the Euro Atlantic, and work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force. This will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has identified a future requirement for air-to-air boom refuelling capability for the Royal Air Force.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Air to air refuelling remains a key capability within the Air Mobility Force and increases the endurance, range, payload and flexibility of all capable receiver aircraft. This capability remains important to not only the RAF, but also for our NATO allies. The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the importance of air to air refuelling in defending the Euro Atlantic, and work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force. This will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which warship was nominated as the Fleet Ready Escort on 1 March 2026.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Fleet Ready Escort is undertaken by a Royal Navy warship held at high readiness to respond to tasking as required. For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose the specific vessel nominated for this role on a given date.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated IOC date for HMS Venturer.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2026 to Question 108597.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-27/108597
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he will publish the results of the consultation on proposed Local Government re-organisation in the County of Essex.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
A summary of the consultation responses will be published alongside the decision on which proposal, if any, is to be implemented for unitary local government in Essex, Southend and Thurrock.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Chris Bowbrick's current role is.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It is usual Ministry of Defence policy not to comment on the individual HR status of individual employees. I provided an update to the House saying that the Ajax SRO was no longer in his current role. Given the situation it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the latest estimated date is for achieving Full Operating Capability on Ajax.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Safety investigations and a Ministerial Review into the Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) remain ongoing. However, on current plans, Full Operating Capability for the Armoured Cavalry Programme is still expected to be achieved by the end of 2029.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
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.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
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.