Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, who will lead the joint operations staff responsible for the strict control and management of the proposed Multinational Force.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Multinational Force Ukraine (MNFU) will include a 3-star multinational operational HQ in Paris, led by the UK and France, to oversee all tactical and operational arrangements. Plans have also been established for a future coordination cell in Kyiv which will be set up when the force deploys. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will conduct coordination with the MNFU joint operations staff.
Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into further details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its control systems, due to the risk to operational security.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, what steps he will take to promote the participation of other nations in the Multinational Force.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
As stated in the Declaration of Intent, signatories will promote the participation of other nations in the Multinational Force Ukraine, including through the means of accession provided for in the international agreement and such other arrangements as are necessary.
The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities, including ongoing discussions on national contributions to the Multinational Force.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, if he will publish the members of the new negotiating group.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
As stated in the Declaration of Intent, a negotiating group will be established to ensure the development and conclusion of an international agreement to the Multinational Force on the territory of Ukraine. With Ukraine, this will include the UK, France and where appropriate other contributing nations to the Multinational Force.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the logistics industry on enabling logistic workforce mobilisation.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Supporting the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy’s intent of enhancing surge capacity and resilience through industry collaboration, the Ministry of Defence has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with nine companies within the logistic workforce sector.
The MoU explores ways of enabling rapid logistic workforce mobilisation within the Strategic Base, at times of national crisis.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Liberal Democrat - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of further access to MoD establishments, assets and personnel by Chinese foreign students enrolled on MoD courses beyond the scope of that course since 2010.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that Defence establishments, assets and personnel are attractive targets for foreign intelligence services and takes the threat they pose extremely seriously. This is reflected in the establishment of the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit in December 2025 which seeks to cohere and strengthen the UK’s counter-intelligence capabilities. All MOD courses are delivered in line with Government security classification standards and nationality requirements to ensure the appropriate protective measures are in place. It is not Government policy to comment on specific intelligence matters.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Liberal Democrat - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the cumulative value of intelligence gathered by Chinese foreign students enrolled on MoD courses since 2010.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that Defence establishments, assets and personnel are attractive targets for foreign intelligence services and takes the threat they pose extremely seriously. This is reflected in the establishment of the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit in December 2025 which seeks to cohere and strengthen the UK’s counter-intelligence capabilities. All MOD courses are delivered in line with Government security classification standards and nationality requirements to ensure the appropriate protective measures are in place. It is not Government policy to comment on specific intelligence matters.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Liberal Democrat - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential that Chinese foreign students enrolled on MoD courses since 2010 were Foreign Intelligence Services personnel.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that Defence establishments, assets and personnel are attractive targets for foreign intelligence services and takes the threat they pose extremely seriously. This is reflected in the establishment of the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit in December 2025 which seeks to cohere and strengthen the UK’s counter-intelligence capabilities. All MOD courses are delivered in line with Government security classification standards and nationality requirements to ensure the appropriate protective measures are in place. It is not Government policy to comment on specific intelligence matters.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026 to question 101527 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, what was the project regarding the ammunition capability of the Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot munitions.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot munitions was one of three ammunitions proposed to be reinstated for use in the 30mm Rarden used by the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle. It did not have a specific project name.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the breakdown of the variants of the 623 Boxer vehicles which have been procured by the British Army.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Regarding the breakdown of Boxer variants, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 100025 which remains extant.
The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme deliveries from industry are progressing in line with the current forecasted targets. To date, 19 Boxer platforms have been fielded to the British Army.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Boxer vehicles have been delivered to the British Army.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Regarding the breakdown of Boxer variants, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 100025 which remains extant.
The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme deliveries from industry are progressing in line with the current forecasted targets. To date, 19 Boxer platforms have been fielded to the British Army.