Written questions by Francois.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of air-to-air refuelling capability on future force development planning.

Air to air refuelling remains a key capability within the Air Mobility Force and increases the endurance, range, payload and flexibility of all capable receiver aircraft. This capability remains important to not only the RAF, but also for our NATO allies. The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the importance of air to air refuelling in defending the Euro Atlantic, and work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force. This will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

Whether he has identified a future requirement for air-to-air boom refuelling capability for the Royal Air Force.

Air to air refuelling remains a key capability within the Air Mobility Force and increases the endurance, range, payload and flexibility of all capable receiver aircraft. This capability remains important to not only the RAF, but also for our NATO allies. The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the importance of air to air refuelling in defending the Euro Atlantic, and work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force. This will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

Which warship was nominated as the Fleet Ready Escort on 1 March 2026.

The Fleet Ready Escort is undertaken by a Royal Navy warship held at high readiness to respond to tasking as required. For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose the specific vessel nominated for this role on a given date.

What is the latest estimated IOC date for HMS Venturer.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2026 to Question 108597. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-27/108597

If he will list the Type 45 Destroyers that (a) have completed, (b) are undergoing and (c) are yet to commence the Power Improvement Project power upgrade.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 11 December 2025, in response to Question 96770 about the Type 45 Destroyer's Power Improvement Project.

Communities and Local Government, when he will publish the results of the consultation on proposed Local Government re-organisation in the County of Essex.

A summary of the consultation responses will be published alongside the decision on which proposal, if any, is to be implemented for unitary local government in Essex, Southend and Thurrock.

Whether he plans to withdraw the Watchkeeper RPV from operational service with the Army.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 October 2025 to Question 77261 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) which remains extant. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-09-15/77261

What is the latest out of service date for the Watchkeeper RPV system.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 October 2025 to Question 77261 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) which remains extant. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-09-15/77261

What is the latest estimated in-service date for Project Corvus, the planned replacement for the Watchkeeper RPV.

With the retirement of Watchkeeper Mk 1, the Army will transition rapidly to a new, advanced system that draws on the latest operational lessons and technological innovations. On current plans, Project CORVUS is scheduled to be delivered in November 2026, in advance of the Watchkeeper Out of Service Date of March 2027.

Whether he has considered gifting Watchkeeper to Ukraine.

The UK and partners will continue to ensure we equip Ukraine as best we can to defend its sovereign territory and ensure it is in a position of strength for any peace negotiations. Since Watchkeeper Mk1 entered service in 2010, drone technology has evolved at remarkable pace, driven by the extensive use of unmanned systems in the war in Ukraine. The Department has therefore prioritised this effort on more cost-effective drones that deliver comparable capability and can operate in the most demanding environments.

Pursuant to his recent WMS on Ajax of 22 January 2026, whether the current or former National Armament Director advised him that Ajax was safe to enter operational service.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 17 December 2025 to Question 98361 which remains extant.

What is the total budget now allocated for the Watchkeeper RPV, between November 2024 (the previously announced cancellation date) and March 2027.

With the retirement of Watchkeeper Mk 1, the Army will transition rapidly to a new, advanced system that draws on the latest operational lessons and technological innovations. The total budget allocated over the period November 2024 to March 2027 for the Watchkeeper Remotely Piloted Vehicle is £115.886 million.

If he will give the latest estimated in-service date for HMS Belfast.

The T26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver eight world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates to replace the anti-submarine warfare T23s. All ships are expected to enter service from the late 2020s with the added advantage of working alongside up to six identical Royal Norwegian Navy vessels. Type 26 Frigates will allow the Royal Navy to continue to play a leading role in the anti-submarine theatre of the North Atlantic, providing a crucial output to both NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force.

What is the latest estimated in service date for the RCH 155 artillery system with the British Army.

The Mobile Fires Platform Project, which will deliver the Remote‑Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) wheeled artillery system, remains in its assessment phase and is subject to contract. It is therefore too early to confirm expected in‑service dates. Good progress is being made through the joint UK–Germany Early Concept Demonstrator contract, which will enable shared trials and evaluation. Assessment and demonstration activities will run concurrently to accelerate delivery and achieve a Minimum Deployable Capability within this decade.

What is the latest estimated in-service date for HMS Venturer.

The first Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer is scheduled to be ready for operations by the end of the decade.

Whether he plans to allocate one of the eight Type 26 frigates currently intended for the Royal Navy to Norway.

Working together with our Norwegian Partners we are assessing options for offering Type 26 build slots currently allocated to the Royal Navy to the Royal Norwegian Navy.The Royal Navy will receive all eight Type 26 ships during the late 2020s and 2030s as planned. Norway's biggest ever defence procurement deal will see a combined fleet of 13 Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates - eight British and at least five Norwegian - operate jointly in Northern Europe, significantly strengthening NATO's northern flank.

What is the status of the proposed P4E electronic upgrade for the RAF's Typhoon fleet.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 November 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) to Question 92198.

What Chris Bowbrick's current role is.

It is usual Ministry of Defence policy not to comment on the individual HR status of individual employees. I provided an update to the House saying that the Ajax SRO was no longer in his current role. Given the situation it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Who manufactures the command system for the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft.

The command system onboard Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, referred to as the Mission System, is primarily manufactured and integrated by Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

What the largest sum ever recovered by his Department is following a successful legal action for liquidated damages against a contractor; and for which programme this applied.

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.