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Autonomous Weapons: Procurement

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 5 March 2026UIN 116970

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, whether his Department will procure the new surface-to-air missile.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. Once that initial phase of work has been completed, a decision will be taken on whether to progress to procurement.

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