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Aircraft Carriers: Unmanned Air Systems

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 20 April 2026UIN 125511

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 51565 on Aircraft Carriers: Unmanned Air Systems, what progress he has made in assessing the potential merits of General Atomics MQ-9 as a candidate for the Royal Navy’s requirement for Carrier Strike Airborne Early Warning.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The General Atomics MQ9 and similar uncrewed systems remain under consideration for the Carrier Strike Airborne Early Warning requirement, consistent with the Royal Navy’s development of a Hybrid Air Wing. The investment decisions to support Strategic Defence Review recommendations are being developed by the Ministry of Defence and will be published in the Defence Investment Plan.

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