Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 37 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress he has made in moving the Royal Navy to a hybrid carrier airwing including (a) crewed combat aircraft, (b) autonomous collaborative platforms in the air, (c) single-use drones and (d) long-range missiles capable of being fired from the carrier deck.

As outlined in the Defence Investment Plan, the Royal Navy is exploiting uncrewed systems, such as Collaborative Combat Aircraft, to augment the F-35B force and create a Hybrid Carrier Air Wing. Approximately £240 million is being invested in Project PANTHEON to develop autonomous systems as well as jet-powered drones to work alongside the F-35B force under Project VANQUISH.