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
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the Defence Investment Plan before Christmas.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will determine how Defence intends to realise the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review and it is currently due for publication this year.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to increase the number of operational Royal Navy warships in this financial year.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Currently the Royal Navy has 52 Surface Ships in service, held at the appropriate level of readiness to meet operational commitments.
The Royal Navy continues to modernise its Fleet through careful management of a surface fleet transition plan to ensure the highest priority outputs are maintained through this decade and the next. We are replacing our Type 23 Frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 Frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 Frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence on the global stage. The Fleet Solid Support ships similarly represent the renewal of RFA solid support capability providing the ammunition, stores and spares to sustain global operations.