Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 93, what is the scope of the investment in a range of stand-off and long-range weapons for the Lightning Force in order to enhance F-35 lethality.

The Defence Investment Plan identifies investment in a range of stand-off and long-range weapons to enhance the lethality of the Lightning Force, including investment of £460 million in the SPEAR 3 programme and up to £6.4 billion in wider munitions. In the interim until SPEAR 3 arrives, approvals have been given to proceed with a Foreign Military Sales procurement of the precision-guided munition, Small Diameter Bomb (SDB-II). This acquisition will provide the F-35 with an interim stand-off capability until the introduction of SPEAR-3 into service.