Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled UK to purchase F-35As and join NATO mission as Government steps up national security and delivers defence dividend, published on 24 June 2025, whether nuclear certification of the aircraft will take place (a) prior and (b) after the aircraft are delivered.

The detail of F-35 procurement is subject to the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan, which is scheduled to complete in the Autumn. However, we will not be providing detailed updates on the steps required to enable participation in the NATO nuclear mission for national security reasons.