The UK’s E-7 Wedgetail project is moving steadily forward, with significant progress reported in its latest development phase.
James Cartlidge MP, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, responded to a query from Maria Eagle MP, the Shadow Minister for Defence, outlining the recent advancements in the project.
Maria Eagle MP asked:
“To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the E7 Wedgetail project.”
James Cartlidge MP responded:
“The E-7 Wedgetail Programme submitted its Full Business Case as planned in March 2024 which will target an approval in 2024. The modification of the three E-7 Wedgetail aircraft continues at STS Aviation, Birmingham Airport, targeting an In-Service Date with the RAF in 2025.”
The Minister confirmed that the Full Business Case for the E-7 Wedgetail programme was submitted in March 2024, with approval anticipated later this year. The project involves the modification of three E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, which is currently underway at STS Aviation, located at Birmingham Airport.
These aircraft are expected to enter service with the Royal Air Force by 2025.
The E-7 Wedgetail, an advanced airborne early warning and control system, is set to significantly boost UK defence capabilities, providing the RAF with a cutting-edge surveillance and control platform. The aircraft are designed to deliver a comprehensive operational picture, enhancing the effectiveness of UK and allied forces during joint missions. However, the 2021 Defence Command Paper, “Defence in a Competitive Age,” announced a reduction in the order from five to three aircraft, leading to financial implications where the UK remains obliged to pay for all five initially ordered MESA radar systems.
Despite this reduction, recent statements confirm that continuing with the purchase of all five radars could provide cost savings in terms of initial procurement and sustainment spares.
Furthermore, recent discussions in the Defence Committee highlighted aspirations to potentially expand the E-7 Wedgetail fleet in the future. Air Chief Marshal Wigston mentioned that while the current procurement is for three aircraft, the ideal number based on earlier assessments was five
Well that last paragraph sums it up! Cut the original order on ‘cost’ grounds and then consider buying the original order no doubt at extra cost and time delays🙄
Yup, short term thinking – the killer of any kind of sensible long term infrastructure, technology or even economic investment. HM Treasury have a lot to answer for…
Cheers CR
Elementary to every one outside Whitehall. The costs of ‘start, stop, start again’ just happen to other beings in some other universe.
It isn’t about cost, short term budgeting always gets in the way of longterm savings.
Government in UK is reversed engineered –
How much money have we got? What shall we spend it on?
Instead of
What do we need? How much will it cost?
You make my point for me. Thinking these issues through seems impossible to some. It isn’t.
We may get into a situation much like we did with C17 where we want more but don’t have the budget but the budget can come for annual contingency funding. Once we have the radar all we are looking at is finding a second hand 737 NG and getting it fitted at Sheffield. The US fleet of E7 will be tiny, just 14 so us having 5 for the UK is actually quite large and it will probably be the main asset the UK brings to any future coalition operation. If the doors not shut on getting 5 I think… Read more »
DS Healey to address?
The USAF have a declared requirement for 26 E7s, the current order under negotiation is for the first tranche of 14 E7s which will operate along side the reduced fleet of E3Gs which will be replaced at a later date by the E7.
It’s not that easy to find the correct 737 second hand. It’s not the very common standard 737-700, but the BBJ 737-700 version, which is really a hybrid 737-700/737-800 plane.
Surely, the MOD could commit to the additional two airframes by procuring two ex-commercial 737s in advance? We need these platforms and some tangible evidence of intent would at least get the ball rolling.
You would think and be correct to do so. ‘What price do we place on national security?’ Is it: Nothing, just enough or take the question seriously and think about the consequences attached to each option?
Note: The U.K. annually gives foreign ‘aid’ to nuclear powers India and Pakistan.
You’re conflating numbers & aid with intent & purpose.
Please desist.
Or resist from talking about legal asylum seekers using the boats to cross the Channel (if you ever did).
Ex 737 NG airframes become cheaper all the time. Probably better to wait until you know you can fit them.
Bound to be several kicking around and let’s face it Boeing should be grateful as there recent safety rack record must have put buyers off
Forces News Sitrep – YouTube it.
There really isn’t a significant increase in Defence spending, just smoke and mirrors.
Do we need 3, 5 or far more? Defence really does need a conversation that is open and honest and we don’t have that; lumping UA funding into a spending increase is simply dishonest.
Will Labour be any more honest, given the likes of Michelle Scrogham, that is doubtful.
5 was already an inadequate number.
“In service” can mean anything from Training Capability, Initial Operational Capability (IOC) to Full Operational Capability (FOC). Given none of the three ac are completed, tested and the MAA has given it clearance to fly operationally its difficult to see how crew training can start untill the last quarter 2024 at best. This assumes the first aircraft is cleared for operations by end 2024. Yes some crewmembers have qualified in the RAAF but these will likely form the training cardre. Full up crew training will take around 3 to 4 months per crew so its difficult to see more than… Read more »
Let’s just get the three that have been ordered & the five radars. Annoying, but it is what it is. I’d rather have something than nothing.
No doubt the out of service date will be 2026 for “cost reasons”
Cut to 3, because we’re in stable peacetime with no threats on the horizon?
Return it to 5 for starters, plus boost RAF fighter numbers.
The order was reduced to 3 aircraft because the MOD could not find the funding for 5 after Boeing had increased the cost of the programme.for 5 along with all its other priorities for Defence.
Well we placed an order with Northrop Grumman for 5 radars, and this is what we are getting, 2 no plane’s for. Apparently they will be used as spare! so very prudent not!!!
What does submitting the Full Business Case consist of? MOD, Treasury, and Cabinet Office officials? Politicos? Who has to sign off that a nine-month approval process is targetted?
The procurement of any equipment for the military is shocking at best. Its all about cost, not what is best for the personnel who sign to defend this country when the call comes. Everyone knows 3 E-7’s is not enough for what we need. Buying the aircraft itself is not the issue and while there may be an option to but another 2, the through life cost will be against personnel, spares and support for the platform.
If we still have to pay for 5 aircraft why not purchase 5 and put the spare 2 in storage until funding allows them to be brought into service . We really have got a lot of Muppets running the mod at the moment where balance sheets overule common sense
Short term budget limitations trumps everything with the MOD. Sometimes the guy in the treasury just needs to shut up and sign the cheque. He’d be surprised to discover that mitigating his autistic need to balance short term budgets may actually deliver long term cost savings.
I doubt that they would be surprised to discover that. I think they just don’t care. Their job is protecting annual expenditure and sticking the boot into unauthorised borrowing. I’m sure they see themselves as reasonable people, who if only the MOD could make the correct business case, would be happy to accommodate them.
In reality, neither side seems capable of understanding the other to be able to gain a win-win.
I was utterly gobsmacked when you reduced the numbers from 5 to 3.. 5 is the bare minimum even more so now when tensions around the world as they are.
So another programme that’s short in the numbers actually required…….and probably at extra cost. Well done everyone
Cuts are ongoing. The Managing Director of Airbus UK quoted as saying the order for NMH will be for 26-35; ‘a best effort with the funding available’.
I’d be delighted with 30.
The recent purchase of 6 helis for the Cyprus and Brunei commitments must also be taken into account.
Yes, it does look as though the MOD have rowed back a bit from the original vision of NMH being a single type.
All 5 should have been fitted out in the UK. Once the 3 currently being worked on are completed the workforce will disperse and then the only option will to have them built in the US so costing a lot more as we have to pay for the work to be done in Dollars not Pounds. MOD is so full of idiots who have no idea which end of a pencil is sharp. Been happening for years and needs a MOD Champion to come in like Churchill did in WW2 to sort matters out and be hard with it. UK… Read more »
If the ideal number is 5 why we buying 3? whats the point in not doing right first time. I bet we buy another 2 at much more cost and years in delay in to service its the UK way, F things up the pay more.