Written questions by Francois.

What risks he has identified in the complex integration challenges for the Type 31 frigate programme; and what (a) technical and (b) contractual steps he is taking to help mitigate those risks.

The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price, in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programme is experiencing inflationary pressures, which are understood and remain in line with the latest plans and forecasts. The Red delivery confidence assessment rating reflects this impact and on completion of full assessment and assurance, formal updates will be provided through official channels at the appropriate time. HMS VENTURER is the first in Class of the T31 and is currently scheduled to be in service by the end of the decade. All five of the T31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s and are forecast to meet the Key User Requirements. Three ships are currently in build; HMS VENTURER, which was floated off a launch barge in June 2025, HMS ACTIVE and HMS FORMIDABLE. There has been substantial investment in risk mitigation. For example: significant investment in Babcock’s facilities at Rosyth, which include digitising the shipyard, new manufacturing facilities, and a new purpose-built Assembly Hall. In addition, there has been the generation of a Shore Integration facility at Portsdown Technology Park, to mitigate risks to the integration of the combat system.

What his planned timetable is for approval of the Review Note for the Protector programme.

A Protector Review Note will be produced after the results of the Defence Investment Plan, due to be published later this year, have been analysed. It is therefore not possible to provide a timetable for the Review Note approval at this time however, once approved it will provide a pathway to Full Operating Capability and support Red to Green delivery assessment confidence.The delivery confidence assessment was assessed as Red by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, primarily due to the programme awaiting previous Review Note approvals.

For what reason the Protector programme has a red delivery confidence rating.

A Protector Review Note will be produced after the results of the Defence Investment Plan, due to be published later this year, have been analysed. It is therefore not possible to provide a timetable for the Review Note approval at this time however, once approved it will provide a pathway to Full Operating Capability and support Red to Green delivery assessment confidence.The delivery confidence assessment was assessed as Red by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, primarily due to the programme awaiting previous Review Note approvals.

What measures are outlined in the pending Review Note to transition the Protector programme from red to green delivery confidence rating; and what (a) timelines and (b) oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure that programme achieves Full Operating Capability.

A Protector Review Note will be produced after the results of the Defence Investment Plan, due to be published later this year, have been analysed. It is therefore not possible to provide a timetable for the Review Note approval at this time however, once approved it will provide a pathway to Full Operating Capability and support Red to Green delivery assessment confidence.The delivery confidence assessment was assessed as Red by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, primarily due to the programme awaiting previous Review Note approvals.

When he plans to respond to Question 62175 on Ajax Vehicles: Journalism, tabled by the hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford on 24 June 2025.

I responded to the right hon. Member on 1 September 2025.

For what reason the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft flypast at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in July 2025 was cancelled.

The Royal Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail successfully conducted a flypast at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on Saturday 19 July 2025.

Whether any structural modifications carried out on WT001 post-delivery revealed unforeseen integration challenges with (a) the MESA radar and (b) other mission systems.

There have been no integration challenges with the MESA radar or other mission systems to date as a result of the structural modifications undertaken.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68356 on Air Force: Boeing E-7, whether any component of the UK E-7 Wedgetail sustainment contract will involve (a) logistical, (b) maintenance and (c) technical support operations being conducted in the United States.

The UK E-7 Wedgetail fleet will be supported and maintained within the United Kingdom. However, Boeing, as the aircraft's Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and Northrop Grumman, the OEM for the MESA radar, will provide technical data support from the United States as required. Additionally, a limited number of aircraft components are subject to US Government Arms Export Control legislation and will need to be supported in the United States.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question 67826 on Boeing E-7: Standards, what enforcement measures are available for his Department to use if the incentivisation milestones are missed; and whether any of those enforcement measures had been used by 5 August 2025.

Contractual arrangements remain commercially sensitive information and cannot be disclosed publicly.

For what reason the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet will be supported in the United States; and what the cost is of that support contract.

The UK E-7 will be supported and maintained in the United Kingdom. Following the approval of the Full Business Case, the sustainment contract is under negotiation.

Whether the special clearance for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail applies to the whole fleet; and for what reason that clearance is required.

The Wedgetail is not flying under any special clearance. The aircraft Test and Evaluation programme is being conducted under a Military Permit To Fly in accordance with Military Aviation Authority regulations. This allows the aircraft to be flown by Boeing during the test programme until delivery to the RAF. Once in Service the aircraft will have a Release to Service for flying. Safety is our number one priority, and we will always be complaint with regulations.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of South Korea’s decision to explore alternatives for its E-7 Wedgetail replacement.

Procurement decisions by any other nation are fully a matter for that nation.

Whether the (a) radar and (b) battle management systems were activated during the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail test flight on 10 July 2025.

This flight was a post-modification test flight to confirm the aircraft systems function correctly. Mission system testing will commence in autumn 2025 as part of a planned Test and Evaluation schedule.

Whether he has had discussions with NATO allies on the potential procurement of Saab’s GlobalEye as a replacement for the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System fleet.

Procurement decisions by any other NATO nation are fully a matter for that nation and NATO. The MOD will continue with its procurement of Wedgetail to meet national and NATO requirements for Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) which will be interoperable with allies. Wedgetail has superior speed, range, persistence and crew capacity over alternative platforms. Furthermore, the Wedgetail has a more powerful radar with increased detection capability providing far earlier threat detection against more challenging targets at range.

What were the reasons for the nine-month gap between the first flight of the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail (WT001) in September 2024 and its subsequent test flight.

Between delivery to STS Aviation and its first flight in September 2024 the aircraft has undergone significant structural modification to support the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar and mission systems. Since concluding previous flights in autumn 2024, the aircraft progressed into mission system installation as part of the build schedule.

For what reason the second Royal Air Force E-7 Wedgetail airframe (WT002) did not conduct test flights during the period when WT001 was grounded.

The three aircraft arrived at the modification facility at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham between January 2021 and October 2022. Given their staggered arrival, the aircraft modification programmes are at varying degrees of completion.

What his Department's definition of Initial Operational Capability is for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet; and what specific criteria must be met.

I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The Initial Operational Capability is clearly defined and the RAF is working to ensure the necessary supporting requirements are in place so that it can be met at the earliest opportunity. However, in general terms, it will factor a range of milestones on airframe capability; personnel force growth; infrastructure and support contracts; crew training and competence in role; deployability and interoperability.

Whether the special clearance for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail is related to challenges in integrating the Northrop Grumman Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array MESA radar with the aircraft.

The Wedgetail is not flying under any special clearance. The aircraft Test and Evaluation programme is being conducted under a Military Permit To Fly in accordance with Military Aviation Authority regulations. This allows the aircraft to be flown by Boeing during the test programme until delivery to the RAF. Once in Service the aircraft will have a Release to Service for flying. Safety is our number one priority, and we will always be compliant with regulations. The next stage of the test and evaluation programme is to calibrate the radar and this work commences on 18 July 2025. Once radar calibration has concluded, the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar will be in a position to be live tested.

What contractual penalties will Boeing face if it fails to deliver the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft to the agreed capability standards; and how will these penalties be enforced.

There is no additional cost to the Authority (MOD) due to the late delivery of the aircraft, as Boeing are contracted to deliver a fleet of three Wedgetail under a Firm Price contract. The contract does include incentivisation milestones which are subject to enforcement measures based on contractor performance.

When he plans to answer Question 62175, tabled on 24 June 2025.

I will respond to the right hon. Member shortly.