Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Israeli Air Force operated planes on non-military operations have (a) landed and (b) taken off from British territory since 7 October 2023.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
For operational security reasons and as a matter of policy, the MOD does not offer comment or information relating to foreign nations’ military aircraft movements or operations.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) France and (b) Spain on the procurement of a new modular training aircraft for the Royal Air Force.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The current RAF Capability Investigation seeks to fully understand the UK's sovereign requirements for future advanced fast-jet training solutions ahead of any potential future international engagement.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of Argentina's acquisition of F-16 fighter aircraft.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Argentina's purchase of F-16 fighter jets does not change the UK Government's policies in relation to either Argentina or the Falkland Islands.
The UK is committed to upholding the Falkland Islanders' right of self-determination. As long as the Falkland Islanders wish to remain part of the UK family, there can be no discussions on sovereignty.
The UK undertakes regular assessments of possible threats so that our forces in the South Atlantic, which are entirely defensive, are maintained at the appropriate level to ensure the defence of the Falkland Islands.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 15 April 2024 on Iran-Israel Update, Official Report, column 23, how many RAF (a) Typhoons and (b) planes were deployed to intercept Iranian drones fired into Israel on 13 April 2024; and what steps he is taking to protect service personnel in the region.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
As stated by the Prime Minister on 15 April 2024, the RAF sent additional aircraft to the region and RAF aircraft shot down a number of Iranian attack drones. However, for operational security reasons I cannot comment on the specifics of this activity. The Ministry of Defence constantly reviews its force protection measures to ensure they are appropriate.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2024 to Question 12520 on Aircraft Carriers, when the UK Carrier Strike Group with a wholly sovereign air wing and escort fleet last sailed on (a) exercise and (b) deployment.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Sovereign aircraft, escorts and support ships have formed the core of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG), but each deployment has also involved contributions from partner nations. All UKCSG deployments have involved participation in a range of multinational operations and exercises.
Asked by: Maria Eagle (Labour - Garston and Halewood)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the letter sent to the Rt hon. Member for Garston and Halewood on 22 March 2024, reference UIN No 7162/7163, how many RAF aircraft were serviceable in each month since January 2023.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The RAF does not track this metric on a monthly basis. The Forward fleet comprises aircraft which are fully serviceable and those which are short-term unserviceable. Short-term issues causing individual aircraft systems to be unserviceable can last from minutes to days.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Royal Air Force disposed of the Grob 109B Vigilant aircraft that was previously used by Volunteer Gliding Squadrons.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Vigilant glider fleet was withdrawn from service in 2018. Two aircraft have been deactivated and retained as training aids and gate guardians. The remaining gliders were handed over to the Defence Equipment Sales Authority for disposal, de-registered from the military aircraft register, and were sold to Aerobility in 2020.
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what air defence systems are in use in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) RAF as of 17 April 2024.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As of 17 April 2024, the following air defence systems are in use:
Royal Navy:
Army:
Royal Air Force:
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to take steps with the Secretary of State for the Home Department to use RAF Voyager aircraft to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Home Office is responsible for operationalising Migration and Economic Development Partnership flights to Rwanda and it plans to do so using a commercial provider. The Secretary of State for Defence will however consider any requests for support according to the normal Military Aid to the Civil Authorities process.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether a deployment of RAF Voyagers to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda would require an on the ground UK military presence in Rwanda to receive and refuel the RAF aircraft.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The RAF routinely flies to civilian airports around the world. As is common throughout the aviation industry, ground handling services at civilian airports are provided through the receiving aerodrome or civil fixed base operator.