Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the Watchkeeper Programme; when he expects the system to enter full service; and if he will make a statement. [188941]

Mr Francois, Minister of State for the Armed Forces: Further to the answer I gave on 22 October 2013, Official Report, column 102W, to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson), significant recent progress has been made on the Watchkeeper Programme to satisfy the regulatory authorities that the system will be safe to fly. This first of type Unmanned Air System should commence flying from Boscombe Down in Wiltshire in early March 2014. An initial Release to Service is expected to be authorised by the Chief of the General Staff to allow the first military flights by the Army from Boscombe Down from early April 2014.

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