Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the fourth report of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, CP1338, published on 24 June 2025, what progress he has made on strengthening the interoperability of UK and Italy’s carrier strike groups.

Italy is a close NATO ally of the United Kingdom, and as carrier nations that both operate F-35B aircraft there is consistent collaboration, both bilaterally and through the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative (ECGII).

As part of Operation HIGHMAST, UK and Italian Carrier Strike Groups conducted integrated carrier operations in the Mediterranean Sea, which included the embarkation of Italian F-35Bs aboard HMS PRINCE OF WALES, with UK F-35s also operating onboard ITS CAVOUR.