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Nuclear Weapons: Research

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 September 2025UIN 73568

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on the Teutates programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The TEUTATES programme is part of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE). It includes the ongoing development of an interim firing point at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston site. The Technology Development Centre is also at AWE Aldermaston and is now being repurposed to support other programmes, having originally been constructed for TEUTATES.

As set out in the DNE 2025 Annual Update to Parliament published on 22 May, the first X-rays by the UK-supplied Induction Voltage Adder machine were fired at the EPURE hydrodynamics facility in November 2024, marking an important Treaty milestone.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that I am withholding cost estimates for the programme as release would prejudice international relations.

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