Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria he plans to use to declare Full Operating Capability for the F-35 fleet.

I am withholding the specific criteria for achieving Full Operating Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The declaration of Full Operating Capability remains on track. The decision will be based on objective criteria and the subjective assessment of the Senior Responsible Owner, following detailed and rigorous analysis, which will be captured in the Full Operating Capability acceptance case report.