Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2026 to question 746 on Antisubmarine Warfare: Procurement, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of an interim measure before the Long-Range Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon enters service.

The Long-Range Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon (ASW) remains in its early concept phase, and the Ministry of Defence continues to mature the requirement. Delivery timelines are subject to the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan.

The Royal Navy already fields a highly capable layered ASW system, including Merlin Mk2 helicopters equipped with Sting Ray torpedoes, as well as P-8A Poseidon aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force.