Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Statement of 16 January 2023 on Ukraine: Update, Official Report column 36, what the revised Initial operating capability date is for the (a) Mobile Fires Platform and (b) interim artillery capability.

In line with the Defence Secretary’s announcement to the House on 16 January, delivery of the Mobile Fires Platform will be accelerated to bring this capability into service earlier this decade.

Simultaneously we are exploring options to replenish the artillery capability in the short-term following granting in kind of AS90 to Ukraine. Revised Initial Operating Capability dates for the interim and enduring capability are yet to be confirmed.