As noted in the report on the Modernising Defence Programme earlier this year, we are continuing to invest in and grow our Global network of Defence personnel. Since the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review we have strengthened existing Defence Sections, established 12 new Defence Sections and created two new deployed regional British Defence Staffs. We also have measures in place to improve the selection and training of Defence Advisors, Attaches and their support staff.

The next generation acquisition programme will deliver the capability required when Typhoon leaves RAF service. As part of the concept phase, a variety of concepts to deliver the required capability are being considered. These will include hypersonic weapon concepts as part of the next generation combat air system.

The UK took the opportunity to embed personnel with the US Marine Corps and jointly develop the operational capability of the F35-B Lightning aircraft. By taking this collaborative approach, the UK has been able to train its personnel in advance of establishing our own Lightning footprint in the UK.

In July this year, personnel returned from the US to establish the Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Marham to enable the UK to conduct its own training.

The UK continues to work closely with its allies to develop the F-35 programme to ensure freedom of action having initially exploited this collaborative route to training.

The Ministry of Defence is currently evaluating what unit and assets are best suited to the task required by the United Nation. This will be finalised in due course, prior to deployment in 2020. Further information can be found in the written statement made by the then Secretary of State for Defence (Penny Mordaunt) on 22 July 2019, (HCWS1779).

There is currently no plan to increase the Armed Forces presence in Gibraltar.

The US Air Force Civil Engineering Centre are expecting tender returns in August 2019 from which the contract will be awarded in the final quarter of 2019.

There is currently no plan to increase the Armed Forces presence in the Falkland Islands.

The UK led Joint Expeditionary Force provides, through collaboration with the partnering nations, an increased profile and presence in the Baltic Sea and High North region across multiple domains. Both operationally and through collective training, the UK's engagement in the coming years will be characterised by smaller scale, but more frequent activities in co-operation with all regional partners, of which Estonia is an important member. The opportunities and frequency of participation by Estonia is being reviewed through regular consultations at both the political and military level.

The Army continues to integrate the Army Reserve into the Army and Defence training exercise programme in both participating and supporting roles. The Army Reserve is involved in all of the Army's collective training exercises. All reserve overseas training exercises have an element of Regular Army participation.

The Army has budgeted over £100 million for Army Reserve training for the current financial year. This covers Army Reserve Units only and does not include training for Reservists in staff roles in Brigade or Army HQ which would be picked up by the parent unit. The Reserve training budget provides for activity such as classroom-based lessons, physical training, trade training and field exercises. Future budget allocations will be made through our normal financial planning process.

Exercise SEA BREEZE concluded on 12 July 2019.

The UK assets participating in Exercise Dynamic Mongoose 19 are due to conclude their deployment on 12 July 2019.

The protection of UK Territorial waters is a shared responsibility between the Ministry of Defence; Border Force; Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs; and, in relation to fisheries, the Marine Management Organisation in England, Marine Scotland and Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

As part of the Ministry of Defence's contribution to the Government's efforts, there is always one Royal Navy ship that is designated as the Fleet Ready Escort (FRE), together with a number of Royal Navy units available in UK waters. The FRE is at short notice to react to any maritime threat to the UK.

The FRE will spend the majority of the year in and around UK waters conducting training and exercises with various UK and military agencies and organisations. This is combined with RAF surveillance aircraft and a multi layered range of complementary assets, including those from Allies.

The Royal Navy maintains a permanent presence in the South Atlantic. For reasons of safeguarding national security, we do not discuss the detail of such operations or of future programmes, as this would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

For the 2019 Operation AZOTIZE deployment to undertake Baltic Air Policing in Estonia, the RAF Typhoon detachment have launched Quick Reaction Alert on nine separate days.

The UK has a very close defence and security relationship with Denmark, underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2012. We continue to enhance our levels of bilateral co-operation and interoperability though NATO, joint operational deployments (Denmark contributed a Company to the UK-led battalion based in Estonia in 2018, part of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence), the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force and the Northern Group. Opportunities for further bilateral co-operation are reviewed through regular consultations at both the political and military level.

The UK's defence and security relationship with Sweden is driven by the 2014 Statement of Intent. This is underpinned by a Programme of Bilateral Defence Co-operation which provides a framework to enhance our bilateral co-operation in a number of key areas, including enhancing levels of interoperability, capability collaboration, concepts and doctrine, operations, training and exercises. Sweden joined the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force in 2017 and is a member of the Northern Group. Opportunities for further bilateral co-operation are reviewed through regular consultations at both the political and military level.

The UK has a close defence and security relationship with Greece, based on a programme of bilateral co-operation and interoperability through NATO, that includes the use of Souda Bay base on Crete. Opportunities for further bilateral co-operation are reviewed through regular consultations at both the political and military level, including the development of a joint vision statement.

The UK has a longstanding and enduring commitment to the Baltic Sea Region with a significant presence most notably within Estonia. The UK plays a leading role in NATO's Deterrence and Defence strategy by providing the Framework Headquarters and Battlegroup of around 850 personnel in Estonia. This capable force is augmented by an annual rotation of Apache Attack helicopters and Wildcat Lynx multirole helicopters. The UK contributes to the NATO air policing mission and our long-term commitment will see forces deployed in Estonia in 2019 and 2022, Lithuania in 2020 and Romania in 2021. The UK led Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime) deployment to the Baltic Sea Region over 20 May - 12 July demonstrates the UK's focus upon the Baltic Sea, North Atlantic and High North regions as we integrate partnering nations' capabilities

New Zealand is a close defence partner. We work together on operations and defence capabilities, including the P8 Poseidon, while maintaining regular exchanges of personnel. HMS Montrose visited Auckland in January 2019. This relationship is further underpinned by regular meetings between senior officers and officials. We are also partners under the Five Power Defence Arrangements and as part of the Five Eyes Community.