Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2021 to Question 69017 on Unmanned Air Vehicles: Costs, what the (a) whole life cost, (b) in year RDEL costs, (c) serviceability and availability rates, (d) flight per hour costs and (e) number of in training flight crew for Watchkeeper as of 16 November 2021.

The whole life cost of Watchkeeper is £2.124 billion. This includes currently defined and approved Mid-Life enhancements.

The in-year RDEL costs are £35.46 million

I am withholding the availability and serviceability information, as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

The in-year cost per flying hour is being withheld as its release would prejudice commercial interests.

The number of flight crew in training is currently four.