METEOR
MoD · MOD_0143_2122-Q1 · Last reported March 2025
Department page: Ministry of Defence
| Data as at | Rating | End date | Whole-life cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | Amber (the department's own assessment) | 31 December 2033 | Exempt under Section 27 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (International relations) |
| March 2025 | Amber (the department's own assessment) | 31 December 2048 | Section 43 - Commercial interests |
Each year’s cost is shown with its price basis. Costs are not compared between years: the March 2024 and March 2025 reports state no price basis, and from March 2026 costs are in 2024/25 prices.
The department’s commentary
This is the department’s own commentary. It may use different prices from the table above, so its figures may not match.
March 2025
Rating: Compared to financial year 23/24-Q4, the Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 24/25-Q4 remained at AMBER. This is primarily due to the following factors. This project is AMBER because of uncertainty on the scale and shape of any future Meteor development, and the challenges of reaching consensus on the development path for Meteor across all six partner nations. Timescales for Meteor Lightning II integration remains uncertain due to dependency on the Lightning II programme's timeline. Improvements are being made with In-Service Support and missile availability.
Schedule: Compared to financial year 23/24-Q4, the project's end-date at 24/25-Q4 increased from 31/12/2033 to 31/12/2048. This is primarily due to the following factors. This programme is due on 31/12/2033 which, based on the current schedule, is when the first upgraded Meteor missiles will be delivered to the UK and enter into service. The programme schedule, and end date, are subject to change during 2025 as Partner Nations aim to reach a consensus on the development path for Meteor.
Cost: Section 43 - Commercial interests
Source: NISTA Annual Report 2024-25 (data)
March 2024
Rating: The Senior Responsible Owner's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 23/24-Q4 remained at Amber. This is primarily due to the following factors. There is uncertainty regarding the scale and shape of any future Meteor development and challenges in reaching consensus on the development path for Meteor across all six Partner Nations. Timescales for Meteor Lightning II integration remains uncertain due to the dependency on the Lightning II programme's timeline. Improvements are being made with In-Service Support and missile availability.
Schedule: Compared to financial year 22/23-Q4, the project's end-date at 23/24-Q4 decreased from 2048-12-31 to 2033-12-31. This is primarily due to the following factors. The previous programme end date provided was aligned with the platform end of service date. The revised date is when the first upgraded Meteor missiles will be delivered to the UK and enter into service. The programme schedule, and end date, are subject to change during 2024 (and potentially 2025) as Partner Nations aim to reach a consensus on the development path for Meteor.
Cost: Exempt under Section 27 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (International relations)
Source: IPA Annual Report 2023-24 (data)
Names, figures, dates, ratings and commentary are as the department reported them. Where a rating, cost or date is withheld, the file’s wording is shown. Every major project →