Mark Francois MP: written questions
4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026
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Our reporting years run from 4 July to 3 July, starting with the 2024 general election. They are not official parliamentary sessions. Office costs keep IPSA’s April–March financial years. Records may cover only part of a year; a missing record does not mean no work was done.
Read what this MP said, asked and contributed in Parliament.
120 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Challenger Tanks: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1921More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated IOC date for the Challenger 3.
Answer: As stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Huntington on 22 December 2025 to Question 99970, good progress is being made on the Demonstration phase trials. Whilst the programme has been impacted by some delays within the supply chain, these trials will...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS VenturerMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1920More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current estimated IOC date for HMS Venturer.
Answer: The first Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer, is scheduled to be handed over to the Royal Navy by the end of the decade.
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS AchillesMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1919More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current estimated IOC for HMS Achilles.
Answer: Achilles, the final vessel, is at an advanced stage of build at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. As a former Defence Minister, I hope the right Hon. Gentleman will recall that the planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withhe...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS LancasterMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1918More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the cost of the latest refit of HMS Lancaster.
Answer: The costs of the most recent deep maintenance periods (Docking Periods) for the specified Type 23 frigates are as follows: HMS Lancaster – £67.6 million - May 2017 - June 2020 - 156 weeksHMS Iron Duke – £102.9 million - May 2019 - May 2023 - 208 weeksHMS ...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS RichmondMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1917More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the cost of the latest refit of HMS Richmond.
Answer: The costs of the most recent deep maintenance periods (Docking Periods) for the specified Type 23 frigates are as follows: HMS Lancaster – £67.6 million - May 2017 - June 2020 - 156 weeksHMS Iron Duke – £102.9 million - May 2019 - May 2023 - 208 weeksHMS ...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS Iron DukeMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1916More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the cost of the latest refit of HMS Iron Duke.
Answer: The costs of the most recent deep maintenance periods (Docking Periods) for the specified Type 23 frigates are as follows: HMS Lancaster – £67.6 million - May 2017 - June 2020 - 156 weeksHMS Iron Duke – £102.9 million - May 2019 - May 2023 - 208 weeksHMS ...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordGlobal Combat Air ProgrammeMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1915More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current IOC date for the new, sixth generation Tempest (GCAP) aircraft in RAF service.
Answer: An Initial Operating Capability (IOC) date for the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) will be developed in close coordination with our international partners.
Answered 17 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1914More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total cost of the RCH 155m artillery system to the MoD in terms of a) acquisition cost and b) through-life cost.
Answer: In line with the Integrated Procurement Model, the UK’s Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) programme will deliver a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade. This capability is defined as a Royal Artillery Battery equipped with RCH155 p...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1913More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current status of the proposed buy of additional F-35B aircraft, beyond the 48 originally ordered.
Answer: Spending decisions on future capabilities will be published as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1912More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many F-35B aircraft have now been delivered by Lockheed Martin to the Ministry of Defence.
Answer: 48 have now been delivered by Lockheed Martin to the Ministry of Defence.
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1911More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the definition of initial operating capability (IOC) for the recently ordered 155mm RCH artillery system and when this is likely to be achieved.
Answer: In line with the Integrated Procurement Model, the UK’s Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) programme will deliver a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade. This capability is defined as a Royal Artillery Battery equipped with RCH155 p...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1910More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the first of the recently ordered 72 RCH 155mm artillery systems is due to achieve initial operational capability.
Answer: In line with the Integrated Procurement Model, the UK’s Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) programme will deliver a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade. This capability is defined as a Royal Artillery Battery equipped with RCH155 p...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1892More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the policy of the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regarding the risk of potential leaks of engine oil or lubricants into the cockpit atmosphere of military aircraft.
Answer: The Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regulates military airworthiness risk within the policy framework set by the Secretary of State for Defence in the Health, Safety & Environmental Protection statement. The MAA’s Regulatory Articles and Defence Sta...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS VenturerMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118158More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated IOC date for HMS Venturer.
Answer: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2026 to Question 108597. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-27/108597
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordType 45 Destroyers: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118157More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Type 45 Destroyers that (a) have completed, (b) are undergoing and (c) are yet to commence the Power Improvement Project power upgrade.
Answer: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 11 December 2025, in response to Question 96770 about the Type 45 Destroyer's Power Improvement Project.
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: In-flight RefuellingMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118156More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has identified a future requirement for air-to-air boom refuelling capability for the Royal Air Force.
Answer: Air to air refuelling remains a key capability within the Air Mobility Force and increases the endurance, range, payload and flexibility of all capable receiver aircraft. This capability remains important to not only the RAF, but also for our NATO allies....
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118155More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which warship was nominated as the Fleet Ready Escort on 1 March 2026.
Answer: The Fleet Ready Escort is undertaken by a Royal Navy warship held at high readiness to respond to tasking as required. For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose the specific vessel nominated for this role on a g...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: In-flight RefuellingMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118154More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of air-to-air refuelling capability on future force development planning.
Answer: Air to air refuelling remains a key capability within the Air Mobility Force and increases the endurance, range, payload and flexibility of all capable receiver aircraft. This capability remains important to not only the RAF, but also for our NATO allies....
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBoxer Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108601More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated in service date for the RCH 155 artillery system with the British Army.
Answer: The Mobile Fires Platform Project, which will deliver the Remote‑Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) wheeled artillery system, remains in its assessment phase and is subject to contract. It is therefore too early to confirm expected in‑service dates. Good...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordTyphoon AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108600More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the status of the proposed P4E electronic upgrade for the RAF's Typhoon fleet.
Answer: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 November 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) to Question 92198.
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordType 26 Frigates: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108599More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will give the latest estimated in-service date for HMS Belfast.
Answer: The T26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver eight world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates to replace the anti-submarine warfare T23s. All ships are expected to enter service from the late 2020s with the added advantage...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordNorway: Type 26 FrigatesMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108598More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to allocate one of the eight Type 26 frigates currently intended for the Royal Navy to Norway.
Answer: Working together with our Norwegian Partners we are assessing options for offering Type 26 build slots currently allocated to the Royal Navy to the Royal Norwegian Navy.The Royal Navy will receive all eight Type 26 ships during the late 2020s and 2030s as...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS VenturerMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108597More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated in-service date for HMS Venturer.
Answer: The first Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer is scheduled to be ready for operations by the end of the decade.
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108596More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has considered gifting Watchkeeper to Ukraine.
Answer: The UK and partners will continue to ensure we equip Ukraine as best we can to defend its sovereign territory and ensure it is in a position of strength for any peace negotiations. Since Watchkeeper Mk1 entered service in 2010, drone technology has evolve...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108595More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total budget now allocated for the Watchkeeper RPV, between November 2024 (the previously announced cancellation date) and March 2027.
Answer: With the retirement of Watchkeeper Mk 1, the Army will transition rapidly to a new, advanced system that draws on the latest operational lessons and technological innovations. The total budget allocated over the period November 2024 to March 2027 for the ...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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