PROTECTOR

Military Capability

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £1.7bn
Published schedule: 30/04/2009 – 30/06/2030
NISTA delivery confidence: Not disclosed
Senior responsible owner: Mark Butterworth

What the project is for

Protector will provide a certified Remotely Piloted Air System with enhanced capabilities (to 2040). Protector will provide armed, long range, persistent wide area surveillance with various sensors and be based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.

Departmental delivery commentary

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. Although Protector has received the financial approval required to achieve the Initial Operating Capability this year, the programme is awaiting approval for a Review Note which proposes a re-baselining of milestones and a route to a Green rating. 2. Furthermore, sufficiently trained crew numbers, Full Motion Video metadata dissemination issues and weapons testing delays are contributing to reduced Delivery Confidence.

Schedule

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the programme's end-date at 25/26-Q4 remained the same at 30/06/2026. This is primarily due to the following factors. 1. Although the reported end date remains unchanged from Q4 24/25, the programme is awaiting approval for a Review Note which will revise all future milestones including the project end date.

Cost

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Whole Life Cost at 25/26-Q4 (measured in £m) increased from £1523M to £1565M. This is primarily due to the following factors. 1. Protector Availability and Support Solution contract award and amendment of the budget numbers to reflect that. 2. Delays of Ground Support Equipment acquisition for in-service/IOC based on item lead times. 3. Reprofile of the Direct Commercial Sales 2 (DCS2) contract. 4.Costs increases driven by revised estimate of DCS2 for Rev E deliverables.

Benefits

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Benefits at 25/26-Q4 (measured in £m) remained at 0. This is primarily due to the following factors. No monetised benefits.