Written Question·Ministry of Defence·UIN 91684
F-35 Aircraft: Procurement
Tabled: 17 November 2025
Answered: 25 November 2025
Question
James Cartlidge
Conservative — South Suffolk
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 140 of the MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his decision to cancel the Rolling Vertical Landing upgrade on F-35 capability.
Answer
Luke PollardShipborne Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL) for the UK's F-35B Lightning aircraft to Queen Elizabeth Class carriers has not been cancelled; it has been re-profiled as a Defence Choice so that fitting the capability aligns with the introduction of a related complex weapons programme. This is not expected to have an adverse impact on overall Carrier Strike or F-35B capability.