Ministry of Defence

The UK has a well-established system for assessing and reviewing the implications of giving permissions for the use of UK bases by allies.

The UK government has been clear throughout that the agreement allowing the US to use UK military bases is for specific and limited, defensive purposes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by my noble Friend, Lord Coaker, the Minister for the House of Lords, on 31 March 2026 the Question HL15483 asked by Baroness Goldie on 12 March 2026.

In May 2025, the Secretary of State for Defence announced a funding package of £7 billion to spent on military accommodation throughout this Parliament, with an additional £1.5 billion investment in military housing as part of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR 25) – which forms part of the £9 billion investment over the next decade.

On 3 November 2025, the Defence Housing Strategy was published. It is the most significant change for Armed Forces housing in more than 50 years and kickstarts one of Britain’s most ambitious building programmes in decades – delivering new homes for military and civilian families and driving economic growth.

As at 28 February 2026, £698.7 million of the £7 billion funding for military accommodation, has been spent.

We are unable to provide a figure as of 25 March 2026 as requested, as Year End consolidation will not be complete until mid-April. However, a further £197.5 million was forecast to be spent between 1 March and the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

Under the Defence Housing Strategy, nine in 10 Defence homes – more than 40,000 - will be modernised or upgraded, of which three in 10 – more than 10,000 - will be substantially refurbished or replaced, including through new build.

The Ministry of Defence is proactively supporting the UK's defence industry to seize export opportunities globally. In 2025, the UK secured over £20 billion worth of defence export deals with our allies and partners. This includes the historic £10 billion export deal with Norway to export at least five Type 26 frigates, and the £8 billion Typhoon partnership with Turkey. The Defence Diplomacy Strategy sets out how defence exports are a central component in making Defence an engine for growth, in line with the Defence Industrial Strategy.

Due to commercial sensitivities, we do not comment on active export campaigns. However, we did publish information on recent successes in the press release of 26 December 2025. We also published the 2024 UK Defence Export Statistics on 5 March 2026.

The Defence Diplomacy Strategy is implementing a range of actions including harnessing the former Department for Business and Trade personnel now integrated into Defence to drive effective and strategic engagement with exports; enhancing export literacy in international facing roles across Defence; and improving our export offer to partners in line with the Defence Industrial Strategy. As a result of these actions, we will build on our export successes into the future and support our ambition to be Europe’s lead defence exporting nation by 2035.

For reasons of operational and personnel security, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on the specific roles, locations, or units in which UK personnel may be embedded.

For reasons of operational and personnel security, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on the specific roles, locations, or units in which UK personnel may be embedded.

As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project.

Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community.

The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.

As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project.

Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community.

The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.

As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project.

Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community.

The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.

As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project.

Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community.

The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.

The Department does not recognise any body titled the “Drone Task Force”.

The UK actively monitors and assesses all emerging threats to national security to safeguard the nation's interests. It would be inappropriate to comment on a hypothetical operational scenario.

The Qatari government made a formal request in January to deploy 12 Squadron in support of their collective self-defence noting rising regional tensions.

The Qatari government made a formal request in January to deploy 12 Squadron in support of their collective self-defence noting rising regional tensions.

The current cost of a bearskin cap is £2,460 including VAT. Whilst the longevity of caps varies depending on how they are maintained, this can be up to and in excess of 20 years.

The Department has not yet identified a synthetic alternative that meets the standards required to provide an effective replacement for bearskin ceremonial caps. However, the Ministry of Defence remains committed to finding a synthetic alternative and continues to welcome submissions of test results, from a testing house accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, on synthetic alternatives that meet our criteria for a suitable, affordable and sustainable alternative to bearskin caps.

The current cost of a bearskin cap is £2,460 including VAT. Whilst the longevity of caps varies depending on how they are maintained, this can be up to and in excess of 20 years.

The Department has not yet identified a synthetic alternative that meets the standards required to provide an effective replacement for bearskin ceremonial caps. However, the Ministry of Defence remains committed to finding a synthetic alternative and continues to welcome submissions of test results, from a testing house accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, on synthetic alternatives that meet our criteria for a suitable, affordable and sustainable alternative to bearskin caps.

In the South Atlantic, Defence maintains two overseas bases on Ascension Island and Falkland Islands. This enables a defensive military posture delivered through the presence of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands.

The Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol Ship, HMS PROTECTOR, routinely deploys to the Antarctic Peninsula. RAF transport aircraft also periodically delivers logistics to British Antarctic Survey and conducts overflights.

In the Caribbean, a Royal Naval ship maintains a persistent presence and contributes to maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as necessary during the hurricane season, and wider defence diplomacy. While the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) provides a training location for the Army.

This range of activity is aligned with priorities set out in the Defence Diplomacy Strategy and underpinned by the presence of six Defence Sections who represent Defence and support wider UK interests through the development of close relationships with nations and the provision of expert advice.

Through the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence will enhance how its data, digital, and AI platforms support Defence to plan and deliver defence diplomacy activity. Defence is already utilising these platforms through its Strategic Effects Cycle to support the prioritisation of defence diplomacy activity.

The Ministry of Defence will use data and AI to support implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy and improve how we deliver and track defence diplomacy. This will include using our existing data and digital platforms to support the long-term planning of targeted and impactful High-Level International Engagement; using the new digital Pan Defence Skills Framework to track the training and skills of our personnel to support career progression and how international postings are assigned; and using data and AI to draw insights on how our defence diplomacy activity is contributing to strengthening our international relationships.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold an option agreement with Crest Nicholson in relation to the surplus land at RAF Wyton. Instead, the MOD has a development management agreement with Crest Nicholson. This agreement supports the MOD’s promotion of the site for redevelopment by managing town planning, funding, and scheme implementation on behalf of the MOD.

The MOD will continue to hold discussions with Crest Nicholson as work on the project develops.

Since 4 July 2024, the Department has engaged with consulting firms and their subcontractors that hold contracts supporting the implementation of the Defence Reform Programme. Information on these contracts is published and available through the Contract Finder service on GOV.UK.

The Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish forecast figures. The UK's defence spending figures for 2026-27 are expected to be published by NATO this summer.

The UK is considering a bilateral programme with Norway to procure a Joint Commando Craft (JCC) and, working in conjunction with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, has released a Request for Information. The programme is intended to deliver vessels capable of transporting specialist personnel and equipment, including uncrewed and autonomous systems, for insertion and extraction in demanding littoral environments.

Good progress has been made on both programmes. Contract placement is on track to extend the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) to cover the period from April 2026 up to October 2028. The extension will ensure a smooth transition to the Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) Programme, which will continue the maritime support transformation started by the FMSP. Supplier negotiations for the NSIGN programme continue.

Good progress has been made on both programmes. Contract placement is on track to extend the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) to cover the period from April 2026 up to October 2028. The extension will ensure a smooth transition to the Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) Programme, which will continue the maritime support transformation started by the FMSP. Supplier negotiations for the NSIGN programme continue.

The new radar systems have met the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) requirements and represent the optimal solution currently available. This option is supported by a robust and well-documented methodology that provides the MOD the confidence that the solution can effectively mitigate the adverse impact of offshore wind turbines on long-range Air Defence radars. The MOD will continue to rigorously assess and implement appropriate mitigation measures to ensure that any offshore wind farm, with the potential to affect Air Defence radar operations, is only approved once these safeguards are firmly in place.

The MOD continues to support the Government’s Clean Power Mission.

The new radar systems have met the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) requirements and represent the optimal solution currently available. This option is supported by a robust and well-documented methodology that provides the MOD the confidence that the solution can effectively mitigate the adverse impact of offshore wind turbines on long-range Air Defence radars. The MOD will continue to rigorously assess and implement appropriate mitigation measures to ensure that any offshore wind farm, with the potential to affect Air Defence radar operations, is only approved once these safeguards are firmly in place.

The MOD continues to support the Government’s Clean Power Mission.

The new radar systems have met the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) requirements and represent the optimal solution currently available. This option is supported by a robust and well-documented methodology that provides the MOD the confidence that the solution can effectively mitigate the adverse impact of offshore wind turbines on long-range Air Defence radars. The MOD will continue to rigorously assess and implement appropriate mitigation measures to ensure that any offshore wind farm, with the potential to affect Air Defence radar operations, is only approved once these safeguards are firmly in place.

The MOD continues to support the Government’s Clean Power Mission.

The new radar systems have met the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) requirements and represent the optimal solution currently available. This option is supported by a robust and well-documented methodology that provides the MOD the confidence that the solution can effectively mitigate the adverse impact of offshore wind turbines on long-range Air Defence radars. The MOD will continue to rigorously assess and implement appropriate mitigation measures to ensure that any offshore wind farm, with the potential to affect Air Defence radar operations, is only approved once these safeguards are firmly in place.

The MOD continues to support the Government’s Clean Power Mission.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) land, that is surplus to Defence requirements, is disposed of in accordance with MOD Policy, which is mandated by HM Treasury guidelines, in order to achieve best value for the taxpayer.

This government is committed to ensuring that veterans and their families are easily able to access support on a wide range of issues, when and where it is needed. Late last year we launched a new Veterans Strategy which recognises veterans as a national asset and resets the nation’s relationship with those who have served.

A summary of the government’s legal position was published on gov.uk on 1 March 2026.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to thorough performance management and has in place robust processes to ensure that those who fall below the expected standards are supported to improve in a timely manner.

Those who cannot improve their performance, despite this additional support, may be dismissed.

MOD Main, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) do not centrally collate all performance management plans.

For MOD Main, informal improvement plans are not centrally recorded and are used as a way of monitoring performance in the initial, informal stage of the process. Where performance does not improve, employees enter the formal stage of the process with the requirement for actions and measures around improving their performance to be recorded.

Performance management activity in the SDA is managed locally by line managers with HR support as needed and recorded at an individual level.

Figures for the UK Hydrographic Office have been withheld due to the risk of identification.

The UK continues to make strong progress in enhancing naval interoperability with Norway under the Lunna House agreement, with Royal Navy units continuing to work closely with their Norwegian counterparts to ensure both nations can operate seamlessly together in protecting shared security interests.

The Ministry of Defence does not centrally record the number of civil servants who have been found to have broken the Civil Service Code and this information could only be provided at disproportionate cost. To determine the number who had, this would require a manual check of every misconduct case with the outcome of a sanction and every case that was upheld or partially upheld to check if the Civil Service Code had been broken.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains rigorous security procedures to ensure the protection of all sensitive information and capabilities.

Bambu Lab 3D printers are used within the MOD as part of limited trial and experimentation activity. These printers are not connected to the defence network, nor are they employed to manufacture sensitive components.

The MOD does not currently use any cloud-based 3D printing services; however, a cyber assessment is under way to evaluate the potential opportunities, risks and security requirements associated with any future adoption of such technologies.

As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.

As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.

As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.

As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.

As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.

The Ministry of Defence is working closely with our allies and partners to learn from their experience in building societal resilience and homeland defence. The Ministry of Defence does not intend to provide a list of these allies and partners, as doing so could unnecessarily constrain the expansive range of partnerships we seek to develop as part of our efforts to build the UK's societal resilience.

As of 25 March 2026, 83 Civil Servants from the UK Defence Exports team had transferred from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence.

The total number of personnel who will transition from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence is 94, and this transition was fully completed on 1st April 2026. This move marked the final step in the transition of full responsibility for the UK Defence Exports team from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence.

As of 25 March 2026, 83 Civil Servants from the UK Defence Exports team had transferred from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence.

The total number of personnel who will transition from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence is 94, and this transition was fully completed on 1st April 2026. This move marked the final step in the transition of full responsibility for the UK Defence Exports team from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence.

As the hon. Gentleman will recall, in accordance with established practice, the Royal Navy does not routinely comment on the detailed operational programme of its vessels.