Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Lightning Programme.

The declaration of Full Operating Capability for the first procurement phase is scheduled to occur no later than 31 December 2025, with graduation as a Government Major Projects Portfolio programme by 31 March 2026. The first procurement phase of 48 aircraft continues to be delivered.

617 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron have now embarked on HMS Prince of Wales for Operation Highmast. This mission will involve exercises with allies across Europe and Asia, solidifying the UK's crucial role in NATO and global defence. It will be the largest ever operational deployment of a fifth-Generation air wing component aboard a single aircraft carrier in history.