Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the status is of the RAF E-7 Wedgetail AWACS programme.

At the end of May 2026, the Wedgetail programme saw the arrival of the first aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth where it will undergo its full ground and flight test programme. Aircraft two is due to commence test activities soon and modification of aircraft three continues at STS Aviation in Birmingham.

The sustainment contract was signed in March, with activity now underway to ensure support systems and resources are available once the aircraft are in service. The infrastructure programme at RAF Lossiemouth is complete, with facilities fully delivered and training devices installed to enable force generation.