Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the UK’s sovereign capabilities in direct energy weaponry.

The Ministry of Defence has committed to accelerating the continued investment in UK Sovereign Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) technology, to provide cutting edge capability to the Armed Forces swiftly. The programme is delivering capability demonstrators, accelerated Minimum Deployable Capabilities including DragonFire, delivering Laser DEW into operational capability from 2027, and preparing to deliver DEW capability into core service in the 2030's. Since 2018, Defence has invested in the Directed Energy Weapons Programme and is focused on stimulating UK industry through delivering a capability that prioritises a UK sovereign approach.