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Rating: Compared to financial year 24/25 Q4, the NISTA/SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating at 25/26 Q4 remained at Red. This is primarily due to the following factors‚ 1. Successful delivery to meet the User Requirements remains on track, but the impact of inflation will require a reset of the programme’s Approved Budgetary Limit following announcement of the Defence Investment Plan. 2. Challenges also remain in the first of class schedule against an ambitious build timeline, and the complex integration challenges.

Schedule: Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the programme end-date at 25/26-Q4 remained the same at 31/05/2030.

Cost: Exempt under Section 43 - Commercial interests

Source: NISTA Major Projects Annual Report 2025-26 (data)

Rating: The Infrastructure Project Authority's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 24/25-Q4 is RED, compared with the project's assessment last year of AMBER. This is due to the following factors. Successful delivery to meet the user requirements remains on track, but the impact of inflation will require a reset of the programme’s Approved Budgetary Limit. Challenges also remain in the first of class schedule against an ambitious build timeline, developing a new combat system for the Royal Navy and the complex integration challenge.

Schedule: Compared to financial year 23/24-Q4, the project's end-date at 24/25-Q4 remained at 31/05/2030. .

Cost: Section 43 - Commercial interests

Source: NISTA Annual Report 2024-25 (data)

Rating: Compared to financial year 22/23-Q4, the Senior Responsible Owner's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 23/24-Q4 remain at Amber. This is primarily due to the following factors. Successful delivery appears feasible but significant issues remain, requiring sustained management attention and mitigation. A commercial dispute with the Shipbuilder has been settled and the impact of inflation and a shortage of shipbuilding skills have been partially mitigated. Challenges also remain in proving the first of Class against an ambitious build timeline, a new combat system for the Royal Navy and the complex integration challenge.

Schedule: Compared to financial year 22/23-Q4 the project's end-date at 23/24-Q4 increased from 2029-03-31 to 2030-05-31. This is primarily due to the following factors. Pressure to the schedule following dispute settlement is being assessed through schedule risk analysis and identification of opportunities between the MOD and Contractor. Any identified impact to Approved Dates will be subject to GMPP governance processes with the appropriate Approval Authorities.

Cost: Exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commercial Interests) - Commercial interests.)

Source: IPA Annual Report 2023-24 (data)