As part of our commitment to support SMEs and aid UK growth, the MOD and QinetiQ, who operate MOD’s Test & Evaluation ranges, have introduced a Test & Evaluation Innovation Gateway to accelerate access and availability to the MOD’s Test & Evaluation ranges. Alongside this, the T&E Transformation Programme is launching the Test and Evaluation Marketplace by the end of 2026. This will help T&E users, both within Defence and industry to connect with suitable T&E facilities, capability and support services from both defence and the private sector.

Further announcements will be made in due course in relation to expanding SME access to T&E resources and facilities.

Following its launch in 2021, the T&E Transformation programme has concluded its discovery phase, launched its programme concept for future test and evaluation (Future Advantage through Evaluation) and is in its first delivery phase aligning to key outcomes highlighted in the Strategic Defence Review, Defence Industrial Strategy and Defence Investment Plan. Progress to note this year is its delivery of Flight Termination Systems, T&E activity at BATUS and the planned launches of the T&E Marketplace and the High-Fidelity Synthetic T&E Range.

The Ministry of Defence, through Commercial X, has been working with HMRC to help defence SMEs better understand and access R&D tax relief. Engagement with SMEs identified the complexity of the schemes (including misconceptions regarding the extent to which information can be shared with HMRC in support of R&D tax relief claims), uncertainty regarding eligibility criteria, and navigating the application process as key barriers to uptake.

In response, Commercial X worked with HMRC to co-create a simple guide to help businesses determine whether they may be eligible to claim R&D tax relief, available at Outline of R&D tax reliefs and the key qualifying criteria - GOV.UK

Commercial X and HMRC continue to work together to identify further opportunities to increase SME awareness and uptake of R&D tax relief in the defence sector.

The Global Decision Support System (GDSS) remains at an early concept stage; progress has been made to ensure alignment against the Maritime Fighting Web and Defence Targeting Web. GDSS remains subject to financial and programme approval.

The Global Decision Support System (GDSS) remains at an early concept stage; progress has been made to ensure alignment against the Maritime Fighting Web and Defence Targeting Web. GDSS remains subject to financial and programme approval.

The Defence Investment Plan implements the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review. It confirms many measures that create the conditions for sustained innovation and industrial support to the Navy. For example, major shipbuilding programmes and export campaigns support skills and productivity in the maritime sector, while setting a clear demand signal by committing at least £1.3 billion to the Hybrid Navy supports the development sovereign expertise in autonomous systems, advanced payloads and digital integration.

The £490 million allocated within the Defence Investment Plan for Directed Energy Weapons supports the development of both laser-directed energy weapons, including the DragonFire system, and Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapons.

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract valued at £316 million (excluding VAT) for the procurement of two DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon units. This contract forms part of the overall funding allocation for Directed Energy Weapons within the four-year Defence Investment Plan.

However, the Ministry does not disclose the precise breakdown of funding between individual Directed Energy Weapon technologies or programmes. This is to protect commercial interests and to ensure the Department's ability to secure value for money in future procurement activities is not compromised.

The information requested is not held centrally and could not be provided within the appropriate cost limit.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 128586 on the 28 April 2026:

The Ministry of Defence is eager to facilitate more engagement with Parliamentarians, and we are proactively doing so given the importance of Defence within the national conversation. Defence Ministers are committed to ensuring the Department is being more transparent and engaged with MPs from all parties, supporting visits to sites across the UK to meet our brave Service men and women.

Parliamentarians can seek approval to visit an establishment, including requests for media or photography in advance, and these are approved on a case-by-case basis noting security protocols and sensitivities. The most effective route remains to contact the Parliamentary Engagement Lead for the relevant Service in the first instance. Constituency MPs or MPs for immediately neighbouring constituencies may arrange visits directly with local establishments.

The Department does not classify agreements in the named category specified in the question. However, the Department has interpreted the term as referring to Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). On this basis, there are currently 29 MoUs recorded centrally with a start date on or after July 2024.

The information requested is not held centrally and could not be provided within the appropriate cost limit.

The Strategic Defence Review set out a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence within the UK's conventional forces, providing greater accuracy, lethality and cheaper capabilities. The Defence Investment Plan states that this transformation will deliver a cheaper capability, providing the Integrated Force with greater mass and increased lethality. The Defence Investment Plan further states that this shift supports an increase in warfighting readiness and lethality, significantly increasing mass. Defence is investing over £5 billion on autonomous systems to enable this transformation by 2030. This investment includes the Hybrid Navy Fleet, Uncrewed Ground Vehicles and Collaborative Combat Aircraft amongst others.

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, between financial years 26/27 and 29/30 the Ministry of Defence plans to invest £78.5 billion in our People (regulars, reserve forces, and civilians) and our Veterans.

Between 2030 and 2035, the government plans to invest at least £130 billion in our People, focusing on creating a ‘One Defence’ approach to people and training, to meet the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review. Investment in people and training will focus on ensuring our workforce is capable and motivated – further improving recruitment and retention within the Armed Forces.

The Government is committed to improving retention across the Armed Forces and renewing the nation's contract with those who serve. Since April 2024, we have delivered two of the largest pay increases in over 20 years for Service Personnel; most have received a cumulative pay award of 14.1% over that period. These measures are showing positive results. For the first time in several years, Armed Forces intake now exceeds outflow, with recruitment increasing and departures reducing compared with previous years. We will continue to monitor retention closely and take action where evidence shows further improvements are needed.

The £22.7 of investment in the defence estate over the next four years forms part of the Department's spending plans and is being funded through the enhanced settlement set out as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

The Army Careers Centre in Taunton will not be retained under the future Armed Forces Recruitment Service.

Recruitment activity currently supported through Taunton will transition into the Armed Forces Recruitment Service, delivered by Serco through a regional model. In the South West, Plymouth will be the enduring regional hub.

The Ministry of Defence(MOD) has established UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), which launched in July 2025.

UKDI’s mission is to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge innovative capabilities so that the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad.

With ringfenced annual funding of at least £400 million, UKDI brings together the innovation efforts from across the MOD, with the clear goal to quickly deliver new technology to the front line and support the growth of a strong defence technology industry.

At the 36th Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 8 September, the UK announced a £100 million contribution to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), which will support the delivery of Patriot missiles and other critical equipment before the winter.

US equipment purchased through PURL flows continuously and is prioritised in line with Ukraine's most urgent needs. The equipment funded by the UK will be released as part of this.

AWE’s financial position is subject to regular parliamentary scrutiny through both the Ministry of Defence and AWE Annual Report and Accounts. These reports are laid in Parliament annually and independently audited by the National Audit Office (NAO), enabling Parliament to scrutinise AWE’s financial performance, risks, liabilities, and stewardship of public funds.

Subject to the approval of the House of Commons, the Government will also establish a new Commons-only Committee to scrutinise Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) expenditure and programmes. The Committee will have a tightly focused remit and will consider relevant NAO reports on DNE expenditure and programmes.

Work to assess the cost and time implications of the fire remains ongoing and must be allowed to conclude before a full and accurate picture can be formed.

The Ministry of Defence’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024-2025 reported £217 million as an early estimate in relation to the fire at the Devonshire Dock Hall in Barrow-in-Furness. This figure included initial clean-up costs after the fire and an estimate for future consequential losses.

Planning and development activity is underway to establish the Digital Warfighter Group and integrate it into Defence's broader operating framework. Implementation dates have not yet been set due to dependencies on ongoing work to define the delivery model and associated resource requirements.