Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 37 of the National Audit Office's report entitled The Equipment Plan 2023-2033, HC 315, published on 4 December 2023, what steps he is taking to improve the red rating from the Infrastructure and Projects Authority of the Future Combat Air System.

The current Future Combat Air System (FCAS) IPA rating reflects the early stage of this programme and the scale and complexity involved in the successful long-term delivery of a 6th generation fighter jet with ground-breaking technologies. The IPA recommendations have been accepted in full, and we have set out a clear roadmap with stakeholders to tackle the challenges identified within the report. FCAS is a ‘Tier A Active Programme’ for the IPA, meaning we are receiving direct support and have regular scrutiny and reporting requirements.