We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.
The inquiry will examine the current and emerging threats in the region. It will ask what the UK’s defence and …
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Ministry of Defence does not have Bills currently before Parliament
A Bill to establish, and confer functions on, the Armed Forces Commissioner; to abolish the office of Service Complaints Ombudsman; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd September 2025 and was enacted into law.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
A Ministry of Defence strategic supplier is a supplier whose goods or services are critical to the delivery of Defence objectives, and where a more structured and senior level of engagement is required to manage risk, performance and value for money.
Strategic suppliers are identified through a structured supplier segmentation process, aligned with cross‑Government Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SSRM) best‑practice criteria. These criteria include considerations relating to risk, the scale and scope of engagement with the supplier, contract duration, the opportunity to deliver additional value, and strategic alignment. Spend is considered as one factor among several and is not, in itself, determinative.
Boxer is set to become the new British Mechanised Infantry Vehicle, an eight-by-eight-wheeled, all-terrain, armoured transport vehicle, designed for rapid deployment, high mobility, and modularity.
The Army has undertaken a broad assessment of the capabilities and enablers required for a UK Strategic Reserve Corps (SRC), inclusive of a division, to operate as a credible war‑fighting formation. This assessment is aligned with Defence planning assumptions and NATO standards and is kept under regular review.
The assessment also recognises the importance of the entire system to enable divisional operations at scale and tempo, as well as sufficient stocks of munitions, spares, and fuel. These requirements are considered alongside the need for integration with allies, interoperability, and the ability to operate in contested and degraded environments.
For reasons of operational security, the Department does not release detailed assessments of specific stock levels.
The Army has undertaken a broad assessment of the capabilities and enablers required for a UK Strategic Reserve Corps (SRC), inclusive of a division, to operate as a credible war‑fighting formation. This assessment is aligned with Defence planning assumptions and NATO standards and is kept under regular review.
The assessment also recognises the importance of the entire system to enable divisional operations at scale and tempo, as well as sufficient stocks of munitions, spares, and fuel. These requirements are considered alongside the need for integration with allies, interoperability, and the ability to operate in contested and degraded environments.
For reasons of operational security, the Department does not release detailed assessments of specific stock levels.
As advised within my Written Ministerial Statement dated 22 January 2026, the future of the Ajax platform is being considered as part of the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan (DIP). The DIP will set out investment priorities across Defence, to ensure we can deliver the capabilities required to meet the threats we face today and in the future.
Investigations into Ajax remain ongoing, and time must be given to ensure that all information and evidence is considered. The fielding plan will be updated once these investigations conclude. I will continue to keep the house informed of developments as I have done since the issue arose on Exercise Titan Storm.
The UK’s nuclear policy, most recently outlined in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, remains unchanged. China is undertaking a significant programme of nuclear expansion and modernisation. The pace and scale of these developments, coupled with limited transparency about China’s doctrine, capabilities and decision‑making, is concerning. The UK continues to encourage China to engage substantively in strategic risk‑reduction and transparency measures.
The MOD keeps Type 45 Destroyer readiness under continual review to meet operational tasking. Repair and maintenance schedules are managed through established programmes that ensure availability is maintained while delivering long‑term upgrades and improvements
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to questions 117361 and 117362 on 9 March 2026 which remain extant.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to him on 4 March 2026 in response to his Question 116532.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to him on 4 March 2026 in response to his Question 116532.
In addition to the ongoing deployment of the Callen‑Lenz Nyan One‑Way Effector with UK Forces on Operation CABRIT, the Army, supported by Defence Equipment and Support and Defence Science Technology Laboratory, is reviewing long‑term stockpile options to ensure an appropriate balance between resilience, production capacity, the ability to upgrade at pace, and maintaining a predominantly UK/European supply chain.
In addition to the ongoing deployment of the Callen‑Lenz Nyan One‑Way Effector with UK Forces on Operation CABRIT, the Army, supported by Defence Equipment and Support and Defence Science Technology Laboratory, is reviewing long‑term stockpile options to ensure an appropriate balance between resilience, production capacity, the ability to upgrade at pace, and maintaining a predominantly UK/European supply chain.
I can confirm that the £10 million is included in the £14 million pre-concept funding that has been announced.
The Army does not currently plan to procure any additional medium lift helicopters beyond the 23 already announced.
As with all major capabilities, the size of the medium lift fleet will be kept under review to ensure it remains aligned with Defence planning assumptions and operational need.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I laid in the house on 9 September 2025 to Question 74736, which remains extant.
The Ministry of Defence does not comment on states’ specific capabilities or how we would respond to them, as doing so could provide an operational advantage to those who may seek to harm the UK.
The Ministry of Defence regularly discusses regional security, including the security of our Overseas Territories, such as the Pitcairn Islands, with key regional partners including New Zealand and France.
The Prime Minister has provided an update to Parliament through an oral statement on 2 March 2026.
As announced by the Prime Minister on 1 March 2026, the Government agreed to a US request to use British bases for specific and limited defensive purposes.
The agreement allowing the US to use UK miliary bases is for specific and limited defensive action against missile facilities in Iran
A summary of the Government’s legal position was published on gov.uk on 1 March 2026. This can be found at the followed address: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/summary-of-the-uk-government-legal-position-the-legality-of-defensive-action-in-respect-of-iranian-regional-attacks.
Since this has been published, the Government has notified the United Nations Security Council of relevant actions taken under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Operation CROSSWAYS provides military support to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, primarily focused on training and tailored military advice to the Saudi armed forces. For operational security reasons, we do not comment publicly on exact details around deployments.
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 11 December 2025, in response to Question 96770 about the Type 45 Destroyer's Power Improvement Project.
A drone strike on RAF Akrotiri resulted in no injuries or deaths. There have been no other strikes against UK military bases in the region.
We continually assess and utilise the appropriate means of communication to maintain operational security.
As the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026 - the Chief of the Defence Staff reviewed the proposal to deploy HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean on the 3 March 2026 and the Secretary of State signed it off the same day. Before coming to this decision, discussions were held on this and other topics, with both officials and Ministerial colleagues. HMS Dragon departed from Portsmouth on 10 March 2026 and for operational security reasons, we will not comment on the duration of her deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.
As the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026 - the Chief of the Defence Staff reviewed the proposal to deploy HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean on the 3 March 2026 and the Secretary of State signed it off the same day. Before coming to this decision, discussions were held on this and other topics, with both officials and Ministerial colleagues. HMS Dragon departed from Portsmouth on 10 March 2026 and for operational security reasons, we will not comment on the duration of her deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.
As the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026 - the Chief of the Defence Staff reviewed the proposal to deploy HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean on the 3 March 2026 and the Secretary of State signed it off the same day. Before coming to this decision, discussions were held on this and other topics, with both officials and Ministerial colleagues. HMS Dragon departed from Portsmouth on 10 March 2026 and for operational security reasons, we will not comment on the duration of her deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.
As the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026 - the Chief of the Defence Staff reviewed the proposal to deploy HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean on the 3 March 2026 and the Secretary of State signed it off the same day. Before coming to this decision, discussions were held on this and other topics, with both officials and Ministerial colleagues. HMS Dragon departed from Portsmouth on 10 March 2026 and for operational security reasons, we will not comment on the duration of her deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.
As the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026 - the Chief of the Defence Staff reviewed the proposal to deploy HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean on the 3 March 2026 and the Secretary of State signed it off the same day. Before coming to this decision, discussions were held on this and other topics, with both officials and Ministerial colleagues. HMS Dragon departed from Portsmouth on 10 March 2026 and for operational security reasons, we will not comment on the duration of her deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.
We constantly review deployments of Royal Navy assets in line with securing the interests of the UK and our allies. No formal offer was made by the Royal Navy to deploy a Type 45 Destroyer ahead of HMS Dragon’s deployment at the first available moment on 10 March 2026.
In addition to the equipment and capabilities stationed at RAF Akrotiri, the Ministry of Defence have added 400 additional personnel, increased air defence radar and missiles since January. We have deployed F-35 and Typhoon aircraft, three Wildcat helicopters and a Merlin helicopter. HMS Dragon has now departed from the UK, where, as the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026, it will join US air defence destroyers in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In any situation that is developing as rapidly as the situation in the Middle East, new information will become available at short notice to update initial impressions. As we have said consistently, assessment of incidents will always be an ongoing process.
It is a longstanding position that the Ministry of Defence does not comment on specific intelligence, or information from third party nations, for security reasons.
Tenderers were required to hold their price for the duration of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) procurement process, and there has been no change to the contract price from the received tender.
As I noted in my Written Statement to the House of 3 March 2026, this contract will supply our military with 23 modern helicopters, built in the UK, directly sustaining 3,300 British jobs at Leonardo Yeovil, and enables the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade.
The information is not held by the Ministry of Defence.
No Ministry of Defence arm’s length bodies hold statutory responsibilities that require them to produce statutory codes for laying before Parliament.
Air to air refuelling remains a key capability within the Air Mobility Force and increases the endurance, range, payload and flexibility of all capable receiver aircraft. This capability remains important to not only the RAF, but also for our NATO allies. The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the importance of air to air refuelling in defending the Euro Atlantic, and work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force. This will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Air to air refuelling remains a key capability within the Air Mobility Force and increases the endurance, range, payload and flexibility of all capable receiver aircraft. This capability remains important to not only the RAF, but also for our NATO allies. The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the importance of air to air refuelling in defending the Euro Atlantic, and work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force. This will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
The Fleet Ready Escort is undertaken by a Royal Navy warship held at high readiness to respond to tasking as required. For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose the specific vessel nominated for this role on a given date.
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2026 to Question 108597.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-27/108597
Performance of defence major programmes is subject to regular review. This enables the timely application of appropriate interventions to support a return to increased delivery confidence. An assessment of Red does not mean that the programme is undeliverable, but that there are management interventions required as a priority in order to increase the likelihood of being able to deliver to approved time, performance and cost.
Under our Defence Reforms the National Armaments Director holds all the levers of procurement, enabling the necessary interventions to be applied in support of programmes assessed as Red. In addition, implementation of the Defence Industrial Strategy will continue to remove many of the drivers for reduced levels in delivery confidence.
We inherited an equipment programme where the vast majority of programmes were over-budget and delayed. Through the work we are doing as set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy and Defence Investment Plan, we are seeking to get on top of this backlog and we are making progress.
Available Royal Navy operational records show no enforcement or detention incidents involving Cuban‑flagged vessels in the past five years.
The United States' operational use of Diego Garcia is governed by an Exchange of Notes between the UK and the USA.
The potential use of any UK base or base on UK sovereign territory by foreign military forces for operational purposes is closely considered to ensure that we are content with their proposed activities taking place on/from those bases.
The Ministry of Defence routinely monitors and assesses the capabilities and activities of the Iranian Armed Forces, including its naval assets.
VALOUR will give veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support available to them.
VALOUR Recognised Centres (VRC) will enable veterans, and in due course the wider Armed Forces Community, to access in-person guidance and support. Applications for the first round of VALOUR Development Funding for organisations wishing to become a VRC closed on 14 January 2026. They are currently being assessed, and successful bids will be announced in due course.
The VALOUR Recognised Centres Development Fund is administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT) on behalf of the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA). Further detail on the fund’s criteria is published on the AFCFT website.
A network of VALOUR Field Officers (VFOs) will aim to bring together charities, service providers, and local government to improve collaboration and coordination and enable data-driven policy and service development. The first phase of recruitment for VFOs is currently underway.
VALOUR HQ, within the MOD, will gather data and insight, working with policy and research teams to ensure services are designed to meet local needs. The HQ team is currently being established within the Office for Veterans’ Affairs.
VALOUR will give veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support available to them.
VALOUR Recognised Centres (VRC) will enable veterans, and in due course the wider Armed Forces Community, to access in-person guidance and support. Applications for the first round of VALOUR Development Funding for organisations wishing to become a VRC closed on 14 January 2026. They are currently being assessed, and successful bids will be announced in due course.
The VALOUR Recognised Centres Development Fund is administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT) on behalf of the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA). Further detail on the fund’s criteria is published on the AFCFT website.
A network of VALOUR Field Officers (VFOs) will aim to bring together charities, service providers, and local government to improve collaboration and coordination and enable data-driven policy and service development. The first phase of recruitment for VFOs is currently underway.
VALOUR HQ, within the MOD, will gather data and insight, working with policy and research teams to ensure services are designed to meet local needs. The HQ team is currently being established within the Office for Veterans’ Affairs.
The Department continually assesses a wide range of potential threats to the UK and its citizens, including hostile activity by state actors. We do not comment on specific intelligence for security reasons.
The deployment of HMS Dragon is in addition to the considerable amount of capability positioned into RAF Akrotiri since January, including hundreds of Armed Forces personnel, radar, air defence missiles and F35s to defend our bases, people and interests.
The Department continually assesses a wide range of potential threats to the UK, including hostile activity by state actors. Whilst we do not comment on specific intelligence for security reasons, the UK maintains robust, multi layered defences designed to protect the whole of the country, including the North of Scotland.
The Department continually assesses a wide range of potential threats to the UK, including hostile activity by state actors. Whilst we do not comment on specific intelligence for security reasons, the UK maintains robust, multi layered defences designed to protect the whole of the UK.