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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to create different variants of the Tempest for each of the partner nations within GCAP.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to create different variants of the Tempest for each of the partner nations within GCAP.
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a groundbreaking collaboration between the UK, Japan and Italy to develop a common core platform – a sixth-generation combat air system. It will remain adaptable in an ever-evolving threat landscape.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 110 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, how his Department prioritises investment in surveillance drones and counter-drone systems.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 110 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, how his Department prioritises investment in surveillance drones and counter-drone systems.
The Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre (DUSC) considers the potential application of uncrewed systems across military applications, including surveillance. Through the Defence Investment Plan Project CORVUS is investing £310 million of new investment in the Army’s long-range surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, including the next generation of uncrewed aerial systems to replace legacy Watchkeeper drones. Furthermore, it is investing £310 million in the new Uncrewed Systems Centre, including the recently opened DroneTEX facility, to coordinate all output with industry, partners, and allies.
In addition, Defence is investing a further £240 million in an enhanced counter-drone system, providing effective detection and defeat of emerging drone threats. Given the rapid pace of technological development and the evolving drone threat, Defence prioritises flexible and adaptable counter-drone capabilities that can be updated through spiral development and supported by operational learning.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason do the department’s parliamentary team and ministers not respond to written parliamentary questions during parliamentary recesses.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason do the department’s parliamentary team and ministers not respond to written parliamentary questions during parliamentary recesses.
I have spoken to the hon. Gentleman in person previously about the volume of Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs) he tables but given his question I am happy to state on the record that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) welcomes scrutiny by oral and WPQ. The volume of questions the hon. Gentleman tables makes him the largest user of defence WPQs by a considerable margin. We have taken steps to reallocate staff from other defence tasks to respond to his WPQs given the significant volume he tables. As we prepare for warfighting readiness, I welcome scrutiny, and I look forward to answering more of the hon. Gentleman’s questions in due course.
With respect to WPQs over the summer recess, Departments can answer WPQs during recess periods when the first day for answer occurs before the recess period starts. Since 1 September 2026, the MOD received over 1,000 written WPQs from MPs. Answers are sent to the Table Office when finalised, including during recess. Answers are sent to the Member and published on the Parliament website. This is standard practice. WPQs tabled by Members during recess periods are not received by Departments until the first sitting day after recess, therefore they cannot be answered during the recess period.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with operators of UK drone and missile production facilities regarding (a) protective security and (b) business continuity planning in the context of the Kremlin's statement of 25 August 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with operators of UK drone and missile production facilities regarding (a) protective security and (b) business continuity planning in the context of the Kremlin's statement of 25 August 2026.
The MOD is engaging closely with suppliers and continues to work across the wider UK defence industry to improve and increase security measures against a range of hybrid threats. Further detail is being withheld for security reasons.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what lessons his Department has learned from the war in Ukraine; and what impact that war has had on procurement models.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what lessons his Department has learned from the war in Ukraine; and what impact that war has had on procurement models.
The UK is learning extensively from Ukraine, particularly the need for a much faster 'learn and adapt' cycle and the ability to analyse real time data to drive rapid changes in capability and tactics though rapid innovation. This continues to inform UK Defence Policy. As such, we are strengthening collaboration between operators, scientists and industry to accelerate our innovation activity to satisfy Defence requirements.
The war in Ukraine has also demonstrated the importance of speed and technical innovation for UK defence procurement. Our new segmented approach to procurement and accelerated commercial pathways, set out in the Strategic Defence Review, will enable us to get programmes onto contract faster. Through UK Defence Innovation, we will accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge, front-line-ready capabilities, enabling the rapid acquisition and integration of available technologies to strengthen military capability and deliver decisive operational advantage on the battlefield.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Unbreakable bond between UK and Ukraine will continue under my government, published in 27 July 2026, what is the scope of the contract for Stone Cloak.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Unbreakable bond between UK and Ukraine will continue under my government, published in 27 July 2026, what is the scope of the contract for Stone Cloak.
Stone Cloak electronic jammers are the size of a tablet computer and hinder Russian air defence systems from tracking and targeting the drones they are fitted to.
Stone Cloak was designed by the UK Government, and is being manufactured through a contract with UK industry. In addition, via a Government-to-Government agreement we have shared the Stone Cloak intellectual property with Ukraine enabling their industry to mass-produce them. For commercial reasons, we are unable to share details on the contract with UK industry.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 100025 on Boxer Vehicles: Procurement, how many of each variant across the proposed Boxer fleet will be allocated to the (a) Armoured Cavalry role and (b) the Mechanised Infantry role.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 100025 on Boxer Vehicles: Procurement, how many of each variant across the proposed Boxer fleet will be allocated to the (a) Armoured Cavalry role and (b) the Mechanised Infantry role.
Boxer vehicles will not be used in the Armoured Cavalry role. Boxer will form the spine of the Mechanised Infantry force. Under current plans, Boxer is being fielded in supporting roles across 3rd (UK) Division, including Command and Control, Specialist Troop Carrier and Medical functions. Detailed fielding plans and vehicle allocations remain subject to refinement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Total Efficiency Commitment is split between the (a) 2026-2026, (b) 2027-2028, (c) 2028-2029 and (d) 2029-2030 financial years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Total Efficiency Commitment is split between the (a) 2026-2026, (b) 2027-2028, (c) 2028-2029 and (d) 2029-2030 financial years.
As set out in Table 21 of the Annex to the Defence Investment Plan, the Department's total efficiency commitment of £10.7 billion is profiled across the four-year period as follows:
Financial Year | Total (£, billion) |
2026-27 | 1.4 |
2027-28 | 2.6 |
2028-29 | 3.5 |
2029-30 | 3.2 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Mechanised Infantry Programme, what elements have been cut from the programme as part of the £1858.38 million funding removal and budget reprioritisation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Mechanised Infantry Programme, what elements have been cut from the programme as part of the £1858.38 million funding removal and budget reprioritisation.
As part of reprioritisation within the Military Strategic Headquarters, the Armoured Mortar, Repair and Recovery and Mounted Close Combat Overwatch capabilities of the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle programme are no longer being pursued.
The Army is considering how the underlying capability requirements will be addressed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's document entitled Annual Report and Accounts 2024-2025, published on 4 November 2025, for what reason was there an International Military Services Outstanding Claim Write-Off of £3,628,000.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's document entitled Annual Report and Accounts 2024-2025, published on 4 November 2025, for what reason was there an International Military Services Outstanding Claim Write-Off of £3,628,000.
The write off was due to a historical debt balance relating to monies owed to MOD between 1971 and 2006 by a foreign nation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 September 2026 to Question 19790 on RAF Northolt, what the annual cap is on civil aviation movements at RAF Northolt; when that cap was last amended; and how many civil aviation movements were recorded in each...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 September 2026 to Question 19790 on RAF Northolt, what the annual cap is on civil aviation movements at RAF Northolt; when that cap was last amended; and how many civil aviation movements were recorded in each...
The annual cap on civil commercial movements has not been increased since April 2013 and is set at a maximum of 12, 000 civil commercial movements in a Financial Year (FY)
The number of civil commercial movements at RAF Northolt for each financial year is given below.
FY Civil Commercial Movements
2012/13 7,055
2013/14 9,219
2014/15 9,171
2015/16 9,642
2016/17 10,612
2017/18 8,439
2018/19 4,698
2019/20 1,004
2020/21 1,397
2021/22 3,532
2022/23 6,876
2023/24 7,202
2024/25 8,062
2025/26 7,120
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Leader of the House on the timetable for tabling a motion to establish a committee on the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Leader of the House on the timetable for tabling a motion to establish a committee on the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
The Secretary of State for Defence and the Leader of the House continue to work with the House of Commons to set up a new Committee, under the House's Standing Orders, to scrutinise Defence Nuclear Enterprise expenditure and programmes. As set out in CP1668 (page 18), the intention is "to establish the new Committee by the end of the year".
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2026 to Question 23386 on Artillery, for what reason is there currently a restriction on the RAF deploying the L118 105mm Light Gun by parachute.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2026 to Question 23386 on Artillery, for what reason is there currently a restriction on the RAF deploying the L118 105mm Light Gun by parachute.
For reasons of operational security, I cannot provide any further details.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2026 to Question 23347 on Boxer Vehicles, what is the breakdown by variant of the contractually delivered Boxer fleet to date.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2026 to Question 23347 on Boxer Vehicles, what is the breakdown by variant of the contractually delivered Boxer fleet to date.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 December 2025 to Question 100025, which sets out the total number of Boxer vehicles contracted for by variant. It is not possible to provide a breakdown by variant of the Boxer vehicles delivered to date, as this information is commercially and operationally sensitive.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2026 to Question 23191 on Defence: Procurement, what is the estimated length of the delay to the completion of HMS Achilles as a result of the 2024 Devonshire Dock Hall fire.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2026 to Question 23191 on Defence: Procurement, what is the estimated length of the delay to the completion of HMS Achilles as a result of the 2024 Devonshire Dock Hall fire.
Work to recover from the impact of the fire in the Devonshire Dock Hall is progressing well. Achilles, the seventh and last boat of the class, remains at an advanced stage of build in Barrow-in-Furness.
The planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 8 September 2026 to question 23400 on Ajax vehicles, how many Ajax family vehicles have been accepted since 17 April 2026 by variant.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 8 September 2026 to question 23400 on Ajax vehicles, how many Ajax family vehicles have been accepted since 17 April 2026 by variant.
As of 15 September 2026, 227 Ajax Capability Drop 3 vehicles had been accepted by the Ministry of Defence, including 41 accepted since 17 April 2026.
The Department does not routinely disclose fleet holdings by variant, nor provide variant-level delivery information against production schedules. Such information is directly linked to military readiness and operational capability, and its disclosure could prejudice operational effectiveness by enabling assessments to be made about the availability, preparedness and deployment of capability.
The Ajax programme remains on track to deliver all 589 vehicles as contracted.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2026 to Question 23249 on Guided Weapons, if he will provide a direct comparison between the rolling 10-year profile at (a) Quarter 4 (FY24/25) and (b) Quarter 4 (FY25/26) illustrating how the funding line remains...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2026 to Question 23249 on Guided Weapons, if he will provide a direct comparison between the rolling 10-year profile at (a) Quarter 4 (FY24/25) and (b) Quarter 4 (FY25/26) illustrating how the funding line remains...
As set out in my answer of 8 September 2026 to Question 23249, the difference arose from the correction of funding estimates beyond Defence's rolling 10-year planning horizon. That answer accurately explained the change in the published Whole Life Cost figures. Detailed programme funding profiles continue to be subject to routine planning and affordability processes. Updated information will be reflected in future published reports as appropriate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the costs of the agreement with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory were accounted for in the Defence Investment Plan.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the costs of the agreement with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory were accounted for in the Defence Investment Plan.
Discussions regarding the Chagos treaty are ongoing and any future decisions will be managed as part of the Department's usual financial planning processes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average annual running cost is of a Type 23 frigate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average annual running cost is of a Type 23 frigate.
I am withholding this information for reasons of operational security.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average annual running cost is of a Type 45 destroyer.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average annual running cost is of a Type 45 destroyer.
I am withholding this information for reasons of operational security.