To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK currently has adequate depth maintenance facilities to undertake maintenance on the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet.

Work is currently underway to define the support arrangements for the RAF E-7 Wedgetail fleet with a range of options being considered. While it is too early to give any precise detail, it is likely that the maintenance regime will be similar to that for the P-8A Poseidon fleet including a mixture of military and industry support at RAF Lossiemouth and elsewhere. We are confident that UK industry will be able to provide the required facilities and skills to undertake this work.