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Future Combat Air System

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 23246

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Future Combat Air System, whether the current Delivery Confidence Assessment as at 1 September 2026 has improved beyond the Red rating in the most recent Annual Report.

Answered by Ministry of Defence

The Delivery Confidence Assessment linked to NISTA’s annual report is an assessment reflecting the programme’s position as of 31 March 2026 based on the current challenges and risks faced by the programme if left unresolved.

Since the assessment was made, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme has worked closely with NISTA completing further Programme Assurance Reviews. The progress achieved has meant that the Delivery Confidence Assessment has been upgraded to AMBER following the publication of the Defence Investment Plan, addressing earlier affordability concerns.

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