The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that test flights of new uncrewed systems in Australia and the United States are being closely followed by the UK, though procurement choices remain tied to its own Strategic Defence Review and investment plan.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty tabled three written questions on 19 September asking about the implications of allied programmes: the Royal Australian Air Force’s Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat, the US Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray refuelling drone, and General Atomics’ YFQ-42.
Responding, Defence Minister Luke Pollard did not provide assessments of individual platforms but instead pointed back to the government’s long-term transformation agenda. He said the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) had “set out the pathway for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence,” with a particular emphasis on lessons from Ukraine. According to Pollard, those lessons underscored the need to “harness drones, data, and digital warfare to make our Armed Forces stronger and safer.”
The SDR identifies uncrewed systems as an immediate priority for the RAF, recommending a broad mix of capabilities rather than reliance on a single platform. Pollard highlighted a £2 billion investment into autonomy during this Parliament and confirmed the creation of a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre, due to reach initial operating capability by February 2026.
He stressed that the detail of future acquisitions is not yet finalised: “The exact types of uncrewed systems to be procured and the associated investment will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan.”
Whether asked about Australia’s Ghost Bat, the US Stingray tanker drone, or General Atomics’ YFQ-42, the minister avoided singling out foreign systems as direct models for UK procurement. Instead, he framed them as part of a wider context in which allies are also investing in autonomy, while Britain works to develop its own integrated approach.
Looking looking looking….
AA
So we don’t have enough money to maintain our current manned platforms and certainly no money to buy anything new but we can splash the cash on countless unproven autonomous project research programs ?
Have these AV’s, Drones and AI tech developments actually won a war ?
Answers on a postcard (because it’s less likely to get lost or become a victim of Cyber crime) to Harry Halfwit c/o Halfwit House, Gormless UK.
Is the GA one the Ghost at lookalike, or something different?
Stingray is a good shout, but only once the QEs have at least STOBAR, it’s pointless if it can only deploy from land. It’d be a waste of money if the MOD did anything other than watch that.
Ghost bat is cool, and seemingly a higher end and more capable version of what we seem to be trying to do with the Tekever AR3. Remains to be seen if the Aussies have the cash to field them in significant numbers alongside manned platforms- although I expect that level of performance will be the norm once the kinks have been ironed out.