Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the date by which the capability to deploy uncrewed surface vessels from A400M aircraft will reach Initial Operating Capability.

The recent trial was successful demonstration of a novel deployment method for uncrewed surface vessels, demonstrating the potential for rapid deployment of autonomous maritime capabilities in contested or hard-to-access environments. Further information about the trial can be found at the following website:

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/july/08/20260708-uncrewed-vessels-airdropped-in-pioneering-trial-supported-by-royal-navy

No date has yet been set for the achievement of Initial Operating Capability for the deployment of uncrewed surface vessels from A400M aircraft. The capability remains subject to further testing and assessment.