Mark Francois MP: written questions 2026
38 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Military 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 recordUnmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108594More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated in-service date for Project Corvus, the planned replacement for the Watchkeeper RPV.
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. On current plans, Project CORVUS is scheduled to be delivered in November 2026,...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108593More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his recent WMS on Ajax of 22 January 2026, whether the current or former National Armament Director advised him that Ajax was safe to enter operational service.
Answer: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 17 December 2025 to Question 98361 which remains extant.
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChris BowbrickMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108592More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Chris Bowbrick's current role is.
Answer: It is usual Ministry of Defence policy not to comment on the individual HR status of individual employees. I provided an update to the House saying that the Ajax SRO was no longer in his current role. Given the situation it would not be appropriate for me...
Answered 25 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108591More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest out of service date for the Watchkeeper RPV system.
Answer: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 October 2025 to Question 77261 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) which remains extant. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-09-15/77261
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108590More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to withdraw the Watchkeeper RPV from operational service with the Army.
Answer: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 October 2025 to Question 77261 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) which remains extant. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-09-15/77261
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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