Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by what date the interim stand-off capability will be available via the procurement of the Small Diameter Bomb II.

As the hon. Gentleman will understand I am withholding the date that this capability will be available as it would harm the capability, effectiveness, and security of the Armed Forces. The procurement has been prioritised through the Foreign Military Sales process, and the acquisition of this weapon will provide an interim stand-off capability for the F-35 Lightning fleet prior to the introduction of SPEAR 3.