Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government for what reason Maritime Counter-Terrorism forces are not used to interdict ships of the Russian shadow fleet when transiting the Channel or other waters close to the UK.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK is committed to countering the Russian Shadow Fleet, a web of rising shadow activity that fuels and finances nefarious activity across the globe, which helps it fuel its illegal war in Ukraine. We are determined to tackle sanctions evasion and shadow fleet activity that threatens our national security and undermines global trade. Working in concert with our allies and partners, we will use the range of tools at our disposal to crackdown on sanctions evasion and illegal maritime activity.
The UK has undertaken a range of actions, such as sanctioning over 500 vessels, to disrupt and deter shadow fleet activity. HMG, including the MOD, is working with international allies to intensify action to have a more assertive approach to counter sanction busting vessels, whilst upholding the international law of the sea.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 18 December 2025 (HL13064), whether only one Type 45 destroyer in the Royal Navy is operational.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Type 45 destroyers HMS Dauntless, Dragon and Duncan are operational.
Type 45 Power Improvement Project upgrades remain on target and Class availability is maximised to ensure that the Royal Navy has been able to fulfil all of its operational commitments.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to hasten the delivery of F-35 Lightning jets.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan outcome will inform any update to F-35 procurement timelines.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to have taken delivery of 74 F-35 Lightning jets.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department expects to take delivery of its 75th F-35 aircraft by the end of 2033.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to fit defensive laser systems to the UK's aircraft carriers.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers were designed with adaptability in mind, enabling capability upgrades throughout their service life. This flexibility ensures the Royal Navy can integrate emerging technologies and maintain operational advantage.
The Royal Navy remains committed to building combat mass while staying at the forefront of innovation. As part of this effort, a £316 million contract has been awarded to deliver the advanced DragonFire laser weapon system from 2027. This cutting-edge capability will augment the Type 45 destroyers and operate alongside the QEC carriers within the Carrier Strike Group, enhancing layered defence and future-proofing the fleet against evolving threats.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the UK's carrier battle groups will have a carrier-based, fully autonomous, unmanned air-to-air refuelling tanker.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy (RN) is exploring Fixed Wing Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) as an augmentation for the F-35B Lightning jets embarked on Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) carriers. This would be as a means of providing additional strike capability and air-to-air refuelling within the Hybrid Air Wing construct. The RN will work collaboratively with the Royal Air Force to evaluate emerging solutions for this capability.
Project Vanquish, the demonstration of a short take-off and landing jet- powered ACP to a QEC carrier, was recently announced by the First Sea Lord and is the first step to realising this ambition.
Investment decisions to support Strategic Defence Review recommendations are being developed by the Ministry of Defence and will be published in the Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the UK's carrier battle groups will have a carrier-based, fully autonomous, unmanned Carrier Onboard Delivery capability.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy recognises the potential of autonomous systems to enhance the resilience and flexibility of Carrier Strike operations. All options for a Carrier Onboard Delivery capability are being considered, and work is currently underway to explore unmanned, autonomous, Maritime Inter- and Intra-Theatre Lift (MITL) capabilities, including trials of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft capable of operating from Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.
This approach is consistent with the development of the Hybrid Air Wings recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. Investment decisions are being developed and will be published in the Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the UK's carrier battle groups will have fully functioning carrier-based Airborne Early Warning.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control system provides carrier-based airborne early warning. It achieved Full Operating Capability in March 2025.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when carrier-based F35 aircraft will be equipped with the latest air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
F-35 aircraft are already equipped with the latest air-air weapons ASRAAM and AMRAAM and the latest air-to-surface weapon Paveway IV.
For future munitions I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided on 17 November 2025 to Questions 87990, 87995 and 88005 in the House of Commons.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-04/87990
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Power Improvement Programme will be completed for all Type 45 destroyers.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, in the House of Commons on 11 December 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge), in response to Question 96770 about the forward plans for the Type 45 Destroyer's Power Improvement Project.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-03/96770