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Aircraft Carriers: F-35 Aircraft

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 21 January 2026UIN 105109

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current status of the shipborne rolling vertical landing programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard

Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023; the results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner. When complete, this will enable the Ministry of Defence to make an accurate assessment of the benefits and cost of further developing the SRVL system for operational use.

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