Written Question·Ministry of Defence·UIN 5889
Watchkeeper WK450
Tabled: 4 October 2024
Answered: 15 October 2024
Named DayQuestion
Mr Mark Francois
Conservative — Rayleigh and Wickford
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the estimated lifetime cost of the Watchkeeper Remotely Piloted Vehicle; and when that vehicle will achieve Full Operational Capability.
Answer
Luke PollardThe through life costs of the Watchkeeper Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) until the end of the current in-service contract will be £1.548 billion. The Watchkeeper UAS reached Full Operational Capability in 2018.