Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral evidence by Charlie Forte to the Public Accounts Committee on the Digital Defence Strategy on 14 November 2022, HC 72; what steps he is taking to ensure that technology ordered for individual pieces of equipment for Morpheus is not restricted by a lack of digital capabilities when it is integrated with AJAX.

The component that caused MORPHEUS to be delayed, as briefed to the Public Accounts Committee on 14 November 2022, is the Evolve to Open (EvO) element, which will reduce vendor lock-in to General Dynamics Mission Systems UK.

The delivery of MORPHEUS is not a requirement for the Armoured Cavalry Programme to achieve Full Operating Capability. As planned, AJAX will be integrated with the latest version of Bowman and will be upgraded to MORPHEUS alongside other in-service platforms.

The MOD will continue to meet all of its operational requirements, providing secure Battlefield Communication and Information Systems (CIS) until MORPHEUS is fielded.