Navy: Aircraft Carriers
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 54, by what year does he plan to introduce an autonomous airborne early warning system for the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers.
Answered by Luke Pollard
I refer the hon. Member to the response I provided to Question 16254 on 13 July 2026:
The Royal Navy's Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control capability, which provides the Airborne Early Warning function from Merlin Mk2 helicopters for the Carrier Strike Group, has an Out of Service Date of 31 December 2029.
The Defence Investment Plan has announced that the future carrier based airborne early warning system will be introduced between 2030-2035 and that this system will be autonomous. All potential solutions to meet this requirement for the QEC aircraft carriers are now being considered as part of development of the Hybrid Carrier Air Wing.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →