Ministry of Defence

The list of individuals who have held the role of Senior Responsible Officer for the Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) are listed below.

The preliminary plans for infrastructure upgrades at Rosyth Dockyard have been approved and industry has been engaged to begin processing the scheme design. Once the scheme design is complete, final costs for the project will be negotiated. The work will include the requirement to deliver a contingent docking facility for HMS Dreadnought during its sea trials at Rosyth Dockyard.

As part of the Submarine Dismantling Project, infrastructure upgrades at Rosyth will enable the removal and processing of all legacy radioactive waste, including radioactively contaminated equipment, from dismantled submarines. Activity at Rosyth has begun, with HMS Swiftsure being dismantled and a further six decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines awaiting disposal.

Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023. The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when complete will enable the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to make an accurate assessment of the benefits and cost of further developing the SRVL system for operational use.

The SRVL upgrade cancellation listed on p.140 of the MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 refers only to the fitment of SRVL equipment to HMS Queen Elizabeth (QNLZ) in 2025. There is no impact to the equipment already fitted to PWLS, and the MOD retains the ability to fit such equipment to QNLZ when the outcome of trials in 2023 are fully understood. This represents a Defence Choice; weighing up costs and benefits to prioritise the MOD’s resources effectively.

Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023. The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when complete will enable the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to make an accurate assessment of the benefits and cost of further developing the SRVL system for operational use.

The SRVL upgrade cancellation listed on p.140 of the MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 refers only to the fitment of SRVL equipment to HMS Queen Elizabeth (QNLZ) in 2025. There is no impact to the equipment already fitted to PWLS, and the MOD retains the ability to fit such equipment to QNLZ when the outcome of trials in 2023 are fully understood. This represents a Defence Choice; weighing up costs and benefits to prioritise the MOD’s resources effectively.

Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023. The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when complete will enable the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to make an accurate assessment of the benefits and cost of further developing the SRVL system for operational use.

The SRVL upgrade cancellation listed on p.140 of the MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 refers only to the fitment of SRVL equipment to HMS Queen Elizabeth (QNLZ) in 2025. There is no impact to the equipment already fitted to PWLS, and the MOD retains the ability to fit such equipment to QNLZ when the outcome of trials in 2023 are fully understood. This represents a Defence Choice; weighing up costs and benefits to prioritise the MOD’s resources effectively.

The Senior Reporting Officer regularly provides updates to Defence Ministers on the programme. However, this Government, and the last Government, do not routinely release information provided from officials to ministers.

But I can assure the Hon Gentleman that Before declaring Initial Operating Capability, I received written assurances from CGS and the acting NAD that the vehicle was safe to operate. Within the letter note AJAX the vehicle was described as ‘demonstrably safe to operate”.

When concerns were raised in the summer, an independent Army investigation confirmed the vehicle was fit for purpose and operating well within Health and Safety Executive limits for noise and vibration.

A list of non-British companies with which contracts have been signed. These suppliers can be found in the attached document.

The Department is withholding some of the information as full disclosure of all the contract details may prejudice commercial interests and national security.

Since 4 July 2024, the Defence Board has met six times under the Chairmanship of the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey MP.

The Secretary of State has given the Defence Board a clear mandate to debate and monitor progress against the Department's highest priorities, which include People, implementation of the Strategic Defence Review, Defence Reform, and the Defence budget and Investment Plan.

The Defence Board is expected to meet at least four times annually in line with the corporate governance code of good practice.

Refit and repair costs incurred for HMS Bulwark over the last five years totals £72.1 million.

HMS Bulwark was not due to go to sea ahead of its out-of-service date. It’s disposal shows that we are delivering for defence by divesting ourselves of old capabilities to make way for the future.

The British Army’s Land Ground Based Air Defence programme intends to increase the mass of the current Medium Range Air Defence fleet.

The programme strives to modernise Defence’s ground-based air defence capabilities in the face of rapidly developing threats and is a high priority for the Army.

It was only a short time ago that I was in Bolton to order more Sky Sabre Systems.

While I am unable to disclose these costs for reasons of operational security and as a matter of policy, Defence operational spend in relation to the Israel-Gaza conflict and the wider Middle East has been published in its Annual Reports and Accounts for financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Whilst the Ministry of Defence continues to recognise and value the sacrifice of the 371 UK Service personnel who gave their lives during the ‘Cyprus Emergency’, Parliamentary and Ministerial commitments mean there are no plans to visit the memorial at The Old British Cemetery at Girne (Kyrenia).

Whilst the cemetery is located in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not recognised by this Government, the British High Commission in Nicosia regularly honours those Service personnel who died, including through the annual laying of a wreath at the official Remembrance Day Service at the Nicosia War Cemetery where British soldiers are buried.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 September 2025 to Question 76173 to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Dr Al Pinkerton).

Uncrewed and Autonomous systems are integral to the modern way of warfighting, exemplified in the lessons gleaned from the war in Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence has spent over £450 million on Uncrewed Systems, including over £300 million on their research and development over the last year. The Strategic Defence Review announced an increase in autonomy investment of £2 billion in this Parliament, taking total Defence investment in autonomy to circa £4 billion. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

At this stage, the Department expects the minimum acceptable range of the ground-launched tactical ballistic missiles under Project Nightfall to be 500km. We aim to develop solutions which offer significantly greater range.

The Project NIGHTFALL competition has not yet been launched. As a result, the proportion of workshare to be conducted in the UK is not yet known.

In line with the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department will seek to enhance Project NIGHTFALL's benefits to the UK, not just strengthening UK and Euro-Atlantic security, but also being an engine for growth, backing British jobs, British industry and British innovation.

Training continues to be a priority for the Ministry of Defence. The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force will continue to conduct collective and unit training, proportionate to their recruitment and continue to modernise and streamline training pathways to meet operational needs.

Training continues to be a priority for the Ministry of Defence. The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force will continue to conduct collective and unit training, proportionate to their recruitment and continue to modernise and streamline training pathways to meet operational needs.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has made no assessment of introducing new offences for impersonating Armed Forces personnel or Veterans and has no current plans to consider criminalising such impersonation, given that existing measures already apply in certain circumstances.

Veterans are expected to adhere to the guidance regarding the wearing of medals. However, it is not a criminal offence for Veterans, or the public, to wear medals to which they are not entitled unless, by doing so, an individual is seeking to make personal gain or defraud others.

The Fraud Act 2006 (and common law fraud offences in Scotland) make it an offence for anyone to fraudulently wear uniforms or medals, or by pretending to be or have been in the Armed Forces, if for financial gain or to cause disadvantage to others.

Further, under the Uniforms Act 1894, it is an offence for anyone to wear an Armed Forces uniform without permission, or to wear any dress having the appearance, or bearing any regimental or distinctive marks, of any such uniform. This does not, however, prevent individuals wearing a uniform for theatrical or similar purposes.

Whenever it is suspected that an individual might be committing an offence, as described above, the matter should be reported to the civilian police.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has made no assessment of introducing new offences for impersonating Armed Forces personnel or Veterans and has no current plans to consider criminalising such impersonation, given that existing measures already apply in certain circumstances.

Veterans are expected to adhere to the guidance regarding the wearing of medals. However, it is not a criminal offence for Veterans, or the public, to wear medals to which they are not entitled unless, by doing so, an individual is seeking to make personal gain or defraud others.

The Fraud Act 2006 (and common law fraud offences in Scotland) make it an offence for anyone to fraudulently wear uniforms or medals, or by pretending to be or have been in the Armed Forces, if for financial gain or to cause disadvantage to others.

Further, under the Uniforms Act 1894, it is an offence for anyone to wear an Armed Forces uniform without permission, or to wear any dress having the appearance, or bearing any regimental or distinctive marks, of any such uniform. This does not, however, prevent individuals wearing a uniform for theatrical or similar purposes.

Whenever it is suspected that an individual might be committing an offence, as described above, the matter should be reported to the civilian police.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 March 2024, to Question 91714.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-17/91714

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 March 2024, to Question 91714.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-17/91714

The Skynet 6 programme continues to progress to meet Defence’s satellite communication needs. The build of the Skynet 6A satellite has transitioned into the testing and validation phase, and the competition and final negotiations for the remaining Skynet 6 satellites are nearing conclusion. The Skynet 6 programme will ensure that the UK retains a resilient satellite communications enterprise out to 2040.

Training continues to be a priority for the Ministry of Defence. The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force continue to conduct training exercises at unit level or higher, in line with operational and wider priorities.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 November 2025 to Question 91436:

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 October 2024 to Question 79701 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty).

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.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 November to Question 88294, which remains extant:

The project aims to achieve Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade and will deliver the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) Calibre Wheeled Artillery System. The project remains in its assessment phase and therefore it remains too early to provide an exact in-service date

We are committed to investing more in munitions as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and details of what we will be investing in will be in the Defence Investment Plan.

We can confirm that additional 155mm artillery shell production orders will be placed with BAE Systems’ Washington plant.

The Defence Industrial Strategy set out an average of six years to contract for major defence platforms. Whilst differing procurement systems make direct comparisons with other countries challenging, our new segmented approach to procurement, supported by accelerated commercial pathways, is designed to enable programmes to get to contract faster. We are making progress towards the target date of 1 April 2026 for establishment of the segmented approach in line with the Strategic Defence Review.

The Defence Industrial Strategy set out an average of six years to contract for major defence platforms. Whilst differing procurement systems make direct comparisons with other countries challenging, our new segmented approach to procurement, supported by accelerated commercial pathways, is designed to enable programmes to get to contract faster. We are making progress towards the target date of 1 April 2026 for establishment of the segmented approach in line with the Strategic Defence Review.

On the 30 September 2025, 94 individuals were recorded on Ministry of Defence (MOD) HR systems with an ongoing sick absence of six months or longer for Mental Disorders as defined by the World Health Organisation International Classification of Diseases.

The MOD HR systems do not break down this down but include Anxiety, Depression and Stress within the description.

Whilst the UK works with European partners on a range of air and missile defence issues, the UK is not reliant on funding from European allies for our Ground Based Air Defence or Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities.

His Majesty’s Government announced a £1 billion UK spend on Integrated Air and Missile Defence in the Strategic Defence Review. Further announcements on Integrated Air and Missile Defence investment will be made within the Defence Investment Plan.

We have made significant investments in the UK industrial base, including factories, the workforce, and supply chains, to support the manufacture of Boxer vehicles. The Boxer programme is now in full production, with the potential to accommodate additional orders for surge delivery or export customers.

The mental health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces and Veterans is a priority for the Government. All Service personnel have access to mental health support throughout their career, including medical and non-medical services. This includes, but is not limited to, preventative support such as wellbeing services, digital content, access to trained mental health first aiders, interventional support, and appointments with clinical staff.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) encourages and enables all personnel to take their mental fitness as seriously as their physical fitness. The Defence Annual Mental Fitness Brief is a mandatory training product provided to Serving personnel, which not only prompts individuals to continually consider their mental health but also advises how to increase resilience and protect mental wellbeing. For those requiring dedicated mental healthcare, the Defence Medical Services provides a responsive, flexible, accessible, and comprehensive treatment service.

Additional training is provided at single Service level and particular processes are in place for when increased support may be required, such as around deployment. Over and above the existing welfare support system of dedicated personnel, Defence offers additional options such as a dedicated 24-hour support line and access to tools such as HeadFIT and HeadSpace so that there is choice available for engagement within or outside the chain of command.

Former Service personnel can access free one-to-one welfare support provided by the MOD’s Veterans Welfare Service, and specific mental health support from NHS England’s Op COURAGE. Op COURAGE offers a fully integrated service with increased support for those needing help with alcohol or substance use and better links to mainstream mental health services to increase the range of support available. Importantly, unlike many other services, Op COURAGE accepts self-referral, empowering patients to take control of their care needs.

The Ministry of Defence is working closely with the supply chain to ensure the timely development of Challenger 3. Focus remains on securing the necessary materials, identifying opportunities and mitigating risk to deliver tanks to users as soon as practicable.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set out how we must move to warfighting readiness, that includes increasing industrial production and capacity and adding resilience. We are delivering on the SDR vision and the Defence Investment Strategy (DIS) sets out steps forward in this respect.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is strengthening its supply chains to ensure procurement is more resilient, innovative, and agile. Under the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy, we are developing a collaborative wargaming capability focused on supply chain resilience. This includes surge capacity planning, investment in UK industrial capability, and circular economy initiatives to secure critical raw materials and enable rapid production scaling during times of conflict.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 27 November 2025 to Questions 92627 and 92627.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-19/92627

The Strategic Defence Review stated the intent to seek cost effective replacements for the Hawk aircraft. Decisions regarding the production, sustainment, and replacement of these aircraft will be made following the completion of the Defence Investment Plan.

The Hon. Gentleman will be aware of this Government’s strong support for making more defence equipment in the UK.

As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, we announced a £182 million skills package that includes initiatives which will support apprentices in the defence sector in Northern Ireland. We will work with the Northern Ireland Executive, industry and other key stakeholders to ensure we maximise such support.

The Ministry of Defence has Operational Sovereignty/Freedom of Action to operate the UK 'F-35 aircraft at the time and place of the UK Defence's choosing' and to 'procure critical capabilities to be located in the UK'.

This is combined with an in-depth understanding of the aircraft's capabilities that enable Operational Readiness and risk to be assessed against national legislation, the Geneva Convention and our Duty of Care before committing the equipment and personnel to operations.

The United Kingdom has no plans to publish its Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) methodology. The methodology revalidated our approach to warhead design and certification which is, and will remain, in compliance with the CTBT. We ratified the CTBT in 1998 and we are committed to our voluntary moratorium on nuclear test explosions, having ceased nuclear testing in 1991.

The Establishment Management Plan at His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde does not include actions to monitor and manage any potential discharges of radioactive material into surrounding environments. Its focus is on maintaining safe, secure, and high-quality estate, buildings, and infrastructure. Whilst the Establishment Management Plan is not a nuclear safety document it will be informed by, and take into consideration, regulatory requirements.

While the treatment of radioactive material is outside of the scope of the Estate Management Plan, I can confirm handling radioactive substances safely and securely at HMNB Clyde are of the utmost importance. HMNB Clyde engages frequently with regulators to ensure it is discharging its responsibilities in compliance with regulations concerning the treatment of radioactive materials. There are extant Defence and independent monitoring programmes in place also.