Ministry of Defence

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).

During financial year 2024–25, Defence Reform made progress against its programme milestones, including the establishment of new Defence structures and strengthened arrangements at the centre of the Department. This comprised the creation of a Military Strategic Headquarters and a National Armaments Director Group, alongside enhanced roles for the Department of State and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. These milestones were supported by the introduction of collective senior leadership arrangements to drive a Defence which is more concentrated on strengthening warfighting readiness and deterrence.

Glenart Castle Mess is anticipated to reopen in Summer 2026.

The closure of the Mess has no impact on Defence’s ability to meet its contractual obligations with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where the majority of personnel based at Glenart Castle routinely work.

Sky Sabre is a system of systems made up of radars, Command and Control nodes and Land Ceptor launchers. The Land Ceptor is not configured for Ballistic Missile Defence capability.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Cabinet Office and wider Government Departments, contributing towards cross-Government efforts to increase public awareness and resilience to the most serious risks we face, including conflict scenarios.

This is supported by the Prime Minister’s comments at a recent Liaison Committee Oral evidence session, highlighting the Government’s commitment to bringing both industry and the wider public into the critical conversations needed to enable national readiness.

The agreement allowing the US to use UK military bases is for specific and limited defensive action against missile facilities in Iran which were involved in launching strikes at regional allies and ships in the Strait of Hormuz. For operational security reasons, we do not offer comment or information relating to foreign nations’ military operations.

I refer the hon. Member to the response provided to Question 121694 on 25 March 2026 to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Sir John Hayes).

Figures for financial year 2025-26 will be published later this year in the Departmental Annual Report and Accounts.

Task Force Sabre, led by Director General Options and Commissioning, was set up on the 18 March 2026. It has been created to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment.

Task Force Sabre has mobilised and will continue to work closely with industry partners and Gulf states to ensure the rapid delivery of critical capabilities.

Since 17 July 2025, the MOD have made decisions on 618 ARAP reviews, and 178 AFM reviews.

Upon taking office, the government inherited a significant backlog in applications which we have been working through. As part of improving performance, I directed the Department to develop and implement ARAP Casework Key Performance Indictors (KPIs) based on the timeliness of decision making. These KPIs commit to indicative timeframes against each different types of ARAP Casework, albeit timelines may differ depending on the complexity of the case. Further information on KPIs is available in the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy/introduction-of-kpis-for-arap-eligibility-case-working

As of 19 March 2026, 3,487 valid ARAP reviews and 828 valid ARAP AFM reviews remain outstanding from the total number received. A valid review is one which is appropriately and sequentially raised.

The current mean average time for processing all ARAP and AFM reviews, closed with a decision made, is 159 days and 322 days respectively.

The Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme is already in its Concept Phase, following approval of its Strategic Outline Case in 2025. The commencement of subsequent phases will be subject to future approvals in line with Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan will be a Government document and plan, underpinned by the normal and appropriate collective agreement.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary continues to provide the Royal Navy’s afloat support using its own civilian crewed vessels.

The Government has made significant progress on Strategic Defence Review (SDR) implementation since it was published last June. Examples include:

CyberEM Command: The Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEM Force) was established on time and is now up and running, within the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (November 2025). SDR Rec 51

MIS and DCIU: The Military Intelligence Services and Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit were launched on time, as part of major overhaul of Defence’s intelligence organisations amid increasing threats to the UK and to keep Britain ahead of hostile states and terrorists (December 25). SDR Rec 54 and 56

Nuclear deterrence: The Prime Minister announced at the NATO Hague Summit (June 2025) that the UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission. SDR Rec 30

Atlantic Bastion: The UK’s groundbreaking Atlantic Bastion programme was unveiled (December 2025), which will make Britain more secure from Russian undersea threats in the North Atlantic through a transformation of the Royal Navy and its submarine-hunting capabilities into an advanced hybrid force. SDR vision: Hybrid Navy

UKDI: UK Defence Innovation was launched (July 2025) to streamline the delivery of innovation technology to Armed Forces personnel through rapid investment, with an annual budget of £400 million.

Defence Exports: The UK Defence and Security Exports function was transferred from Department for Business and Trade to MOD (July 2025); all staff have completed their migration to MOD systems. 2025 was the highest year for UK Defence exports in 40 years including landmark deals with Norway, worth £10 billion (T26 frigates; Aug 25), and Türkiye, worth £8 billion (Typhoons; October 2025). SDR Rec 12

DIS: The Defence Industrial Strategy was published (September 2025) to take forward the SDR’s vision for radical reforms, growth, innovation, industrial resilience and warfighting readiness – backed by nearly £800 million this parliament. SDR Rec 3 and 8

Always on munitions: Defence announced a new programme to build factories of the future (November 2025) with at least 13 potential sites identified to manufacture munitions and explosives in the UK to create an always on capability. This is backed by £1.5 billion of new investment in this parliament and creating over 1,000 British jobs. SDR Rec 29

Housing: The Defence Housing Strategy 2025 (November 2025) set out £9 billion of investment over the next decade to upgrade 40,000 Forces’ family homes. An ambitious programme of work to urgently fix 1,000 military homes was completed ahead of schedule (December 2025). The programme of housing improvements, known as Raising the Minimum Standards, has seen significant work take place at service family homes across the UK. Legislation to establish a specialist arm’s length defence housing service is in the Armed Forces Bill, now in the Commons. SDR Rec 60

Gap Year: Plans to launch the new Armed Forces ‘Gap Year’ Foundation Scheme were announced (December 2025) to give young people in the UK new opportunities to experience military service. SDR Rec 16

There are no implications for the Ministry of Defence's policy on the Chagos Islands of South Africa's joint naval exercises in its waters.

For operational security reasons, we do not offer comment or information relating to foreign nations’ military operations.

Permissions to utilise UK military bases by foreign partners are considered on a case-by-case basis. All UK operational support to allies and partners is considered in terms of legality.

Sea Ceptor is already in service on all Type 23 frigates and work is underway to introduce it onto the Type 45 Destroyers, as well as the new Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates. This expansion of Sea Ceptor will further strengthen local air defence capabilities in the surface fleet.

Afghan resettlement is a cross-Government effort, with costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and other Government departments including the Home Office, Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

On 18 March 2026, the NAO published a report which detailed the costs of the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) in response to the Department’s provision of information on MOD spending to the NAO. Part Three of this report sets out funding for the schemes, the costs incurred to date, and expected future costs. This report can be accessed via the link below:

https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/investigation-into-the-afghan-resettlement-schemes.pdf

The report lays out that, since 2021, His Majesty’s Government (HMG) has spent £3.1 billion on the ARP. HMG estimates a total cost of £5.5-6 billion on Afghan resettlement activity throughout the life of the programme. This figure is kept under review using the latest data available.

The MOD and its cross-Government partners will continue to update Parliament including the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee in line with usual processes throughout the course of the ARP.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) requires all suppliers, including Palantir, to meet UK Government security and supply chain assurance standards. Palantir remains subject to ongoing MOD commercial and security oversight, and the MOD is satisfied that appropriate assurances are in place.

Good progress is being made on the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy, which will be published in due course.

It is not possible to provide a comprehensive breakdown of figures by employment dates or job roles, including those who worked in NATO and International Security Assistance Force command structures. This is because this information is not presented in a format that is readily available, nor included in published statistics.

Each ARAP scheme application is assessed individually against the eligibility criteria outlined under the Immigration Rules: Appendix ARAP. Applicants cannot directly apply under a particular category. Further information on this can be found in the attached and at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-information-and-guidance#eligibility-under-the-arap

It is not possible to provide a comprehensive breakdown of figures by employment dates or job roles, including those who worked in NATO and International Security Assistance Force command structures. This is because this information is not presented in a format that is readily available, nor included in published statistics.

Each ARAP scheme application is assessed individually against the eligibility criteria outlined under the Immigration Rules: Appendix ARAP. Applicants cannot directly apply under a particular category. Further information on this can be found in the attached and at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-information-and-guidance#eligibility-under-the-arap

The Ministry of Defence employs a rigorous approach to identify and mitigate risks arising from changes in the threat picture or gaps in defence capability, ensuring the coherent delivery of defence's strategic and operational objectives. The Strategic Defence Review sets out recommendations to enhance the readiness, agility and lethality of our armed forces, which will be implemented through the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, ensuring our armed forces have the capabilities to tackle current and future threats alongside our allies and partners.

I have held multiple discussions with defence companies and Scottish stakeholders on collaboration with Ukrainian partners in air defence, uncrewed systems, and electronic warfare. In March, I led the seventh and largest UK defence trade mission to Ukraine, including Scottish businesses, with support from my Department and ADS. We are also helping UK industry—including Scottish companies—establish a lasting presence via the Business Centre in Kyiv and develop further capabilities in partnership with Ukraine’s defence ecosystem.

The Government has already committed to spending 3% of GDP in the next parliament, when fiscal and economic conditions allow.

Furthermore, in June last year the UK made a historic commitment to spend 5% of GDP on core defence and national security by 2035.

The New Medium Helicopter (NMH) has been procured with an open architecture that will enable integration with crewed and uncrewed systems as future requirements and funding are defined by Defence. This approach is supported by the wider benefits delivered through the £1 billion NMH contract, which secures thousands of skilled UK jobs, significantly increases UK industrial workshare, and establishes Yeovil as Leonardo’s global centre of excellence for autonomous helicopter technology.

These investments strengthen the UK’s long-term capacity to develop and exploit emerging uncrewed aviation capabilities. While this provides a clear pathway for future interoperability, the platform will not be delivered as an uncrewed capability in this Parliament or the next.

The New Medium Helicopter (NMH) has been procured with an open architecture that will enable integration with crewed and uncrewed systems as future requirements and funding are defined by Defence. This approach is supported by the wider benefits delivered through the £1 billion NMH contract, which secures thousands of skilled UK jobs, significantly increases UK industrial workshare, and establishes Yeovil as Leonardo’s global centre of excellence for autonomous helicopter technology.

These investments strengthen the UK’s long-term capacity to develop and exploit emerging uncrewed aviation capabilities. While this provides a clear pathway for future interoperability, the platform will not be delivered as an uncrewed capability in this Parliament or the next.

The Secretary of State for Defence and other Defence Ministers engage regularly with a wide range of industry stakeholders which make us aware of industry's requirements. These are through established forums, bilateral meetings, and routine commercial engagement, where we comply with market regulation on disclosure of information.

We have signed 4,010 Defence contracts since July 2024, including 1,335 with a value of £1 million or more, and spent more than £31 billion with UK industry last year – an above inflation increase in spending.

This Government has announced a billion-pound helicopter deal which secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit, and supports industry and exports. This demonstrates our commitment to strengthening sovereign industrial capability and modernising key battlefield support assets.

The Secretary of State for Defence and other Defence Ministers engage regularly with a wide range of industry stakeholders which make us aware of industry's requirements. These are through established forums, bilateral meetings, and routine commercial engagement, where we comply with market regulation on disclosure of information.

We have signed 4,010 Defence contracts since July 2024, including 1,335 with a value of £1 million or more, and spent more than £31 billion with UK industry last year – an above inflation increase in spending.

This Government has announced a billion-pound helicopter deal which secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit, and supports industry and exports. This demonstrates our commitment to strengthening sovereign industrial capability and modernising key battlefield support assets.

This remains an extremely challenging and unsettling time for many across the Middle East. The UK condemns Iran’s role in attempting to draw the region into a wider conflict. Our priority is to protect British nationals, British interests and our partners and allies in the Gulf. We support action that will help bring a swift resolution to this conflict, and an end to Iran's reckless and escalatory response

As part of our contribution, the UK has deployed additional military capabilities to the region. As confirmed by the Prime Minister in his statement on 5 March 2026, an additional four Typhoon aircraft are now deployed to Qatar to provide regional defensive counter air including UAE and Bahrain. RAF Typhoon and F-35 aircraft are continuing air operations over Jordan, Qatar, and Cyprus and the wider Gulf region in defence of British interests and allies.

We continue to assess other assistance requested from our regional partners.

Ministry of Defence are leveraging the expertise of British Defence Industry to enhance our regional partners’ defensive capabilities, particularly regarding C-UAS and Air Defence. Defence Attachés in the region have an updated list of UK companies who have capability to support have been engaging with our partners across the Gulf to understand their requests.

We are working at pace to match Middle East requirements with Industry offers. We are also facilitating Government to Industry (G2I) connections for Middle East countries and UK Industry to hasten support to our regional partners.

As of 1 January 2026, 22,600 Armed Forces personnel had legacy pension accruals under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 (AFPS75), and 38,115 had accruals under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005 (AFPS05).

There has been no change in the number of usable training villages at the Land Regional Hub Germany. Currently, there are five training villages within the Sennelager Training Area, four of which are active training villages, and one which is no longer in use.

There has been no change in the number of usable training villages at the Land Regional Hub Germany. Currently, there are five training villages within the Sennelager Training Area, four of which are active training villages, and one which is no longer in use.

The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We recognise their service and the huge contribution they made to the UK’s security. This Government has reset the relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them. We remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

During a House of Commons debate last week, the Minister for Veterans and People reiterated the government’s commitment to maximum transparency and made a commitment to undertake work to fully understand the implications of the 2014 report and its handling, and to take action if necessary (Hansard, HC Deb, 25 March 2026, vol 783, col 377).

The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We recognise their service and the huge contribution they made to the UK’s security. This Government has reset the relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them. We remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

During a House of Commons debate last week, the Minister for Veterans and People reiterated the government’s commitment to maximum transparency and made a commitment to undertake work to fully understand the implications of the 2014 report and its handling, and to take action if necessary (Hansard, HC Deb, 25 March 2026, vol 783, col 377).

The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We recognise their service and the huge contribution they made to the UK’s security. This Government has reset the relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them. We remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

During a House of Commons debate last week, the Minister for Veterans and People reiterated the government’s commitment to maximum transparency and made a commitment to undertake work to fully understand the implications of the 2014 report and its handling, and to take action if necessary (Hansard, HC Deb, 25 March 2026, vol 783, col 377).

The British Army takes far-right extremism extremely seriously and is fully equipped to act swiftly and decisively where necessary to uphold its high standards. Robust measures are firmly in place to prevent and address any such activity. At present, there are no plans to second homeland security personnel to the Royal Military Police, as the Army's existing frameworks and partnerships effectively manage the identification and countering of extreme right-wing behaviour within His Majesty's Armed Forces.

The Ministry of Defence publishes metrics to report total Civil Service headcount, and changes over time biannually and are available on gov.uk. (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-biannual-civilian-personnel-report-october-2025)

The next edition has a provisional release date of 14 May 2026 and will present MOD Civil Service statistics as at 1 April 2026.

The Defence Reform and Efficiency plan, which will be published alongside the Defensive Investment Plan, will also set out the Department's plans in relation to workforce and wider efficiencies.

His Majesty’s Government continually monitors and assesses the threats to the United Kingdom. A range of air and missile defence capabilities are under consideration within the Defence Investment Plan.

The main Defence requirements for steel are generally sourced by our prime contractors. The publication of cross-Government steel data is led by the Department for Business and Trade and is routinely published on gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/steel-public-procurement I have attached the tables for 2023 and 2024.

The data available shows both the tonnage and origin of steel procured for Ministry of Defence programmes.

The main Defence requirements for steel are generally sourced by our prime contractors. The publication of cross-Government steel data is led by the Department for Business and Trade and is routinely published on gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/steel-public-procurement I have attached the tables for 2023 and 2024.

The data available shows both the tonnage and origin of steel procured for Ministry of Defence programmes.

The UK's Armed Forces are learning much from the war in Ukraine, particularly the need for a much faster 'learn and adapt' cycle to accelerate developments in our capabilities, doctrine and tactics. More broadly, the Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by the UK to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century. The Defence Supply Chain Capability Programme is strengthening the resilience of our supply chain, and the Strategic Defence Review also confirmed that we will invest in "Always On" munitions production for our most critical ammunition types, and Ukraine lessons have been incorporated as we assess munitions choices across the force. The Strategic Defence Review also highlighted the importance of autonomous systems within the UK's Integrated Force. Decisions on our equipment requirements, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.