Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the minimum number of fighter aircraft needed to ensure new carriers can (1) operate simultaneously with a full air group in an emergency, (2) maintain an operational conversion unit, and (3) ensure an allowance for repair and attrition.

The incremental purchase of F-35B Lightning aircraft is consistent with the introduction to service of our new carriers, as part of a coherent build-up of capability over the lifetime of the Programme. The precise mix of aircraft embarked in the Queen Elizabeth Carrier will be tailored to the type of mission and operational tasking and will grow over time. We plan to buy 138 F-35 Lightning aircraft over the life of the programme.

The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 accelerated purchase of our Lightning aircraft and by the end of 2023, alongside the Operational Conversion Unit, we will have two Frontline squadrons available for operations, delivering a carrier strike capability second only to the United States.