VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Lasers: Weapons

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 11 December 2024UIN 18160

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of procuring the radio frequency directed energy weapon capability.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the continued investment in UK Sovereign Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapons (RFDEW) technology, to provide cutting edge capability to the Armed Forces at pace.The MOD has committed £184 million to Direct Energy Weapon technology over the next three years in order to deliver capability in the early 2030's. Advancing investment in British Industry will develop state-of-the-art capability for the UK Armed Forces, and as the MOD announced in May 2024, we are exploring options to exploit the existing UK developed RFDEW project as a C-UAS Minimum Deployable Capability at increased pace. On specific costs we have done analysis but accurate figures will not be known until designs are finalised, something we continue to work on.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim