Ministry of Defence

The British Army assesses logistic requirements as part of the process to deliver new vehicles and equipment into service. For reasons of operational security, I am unable to provide the details requested as to do so would reveal the readiness levels of specific platforms.

On 22 November, during a routine training exercise, around 30 soldiers operating in Ajax reported being affected by noise and vibration exposure. Out of an abundance of caution, and in line with our safety protocols, the exercise was halted within 30 minutes so that those affected could receive appropriate medical care.

Importantly, none of the symptoms were life-threatening or severe enough to require hospitalisation, and most soldiers have already shown significant improvement, with many returning back to their duties.

As a result, I directed the Army to pause all use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out into the events. Those investigations are ongoing and I will update the House at an appropriate point.

I have in place a Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme, which will assess how effective the Department has been at implementing the actions of previous reviews, and seeking anything further that is required regarding safety.

It will be conducted by experts who are not part of the AJAX programme, including Malcolm Chalmers, to provide a more independent view. It will be overseen by me and report to the Defence Secretary.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his previous Question 87989 on 18 November 2025:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-04/87989

I refer the hon. Member to page 15, paragraphs 15-17 of the Fifty First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2024-26 on The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC 1232, published on 31 October 2025.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has increased its recruitment of engineers significantly in the last two years; offering joining bonuses and increasing the capacity of its technical training skills to enable more recruits to be trained more quickly. To improve retention the RAF has implemented a Financial Retention Incentive for engineers.

The MOD has acknowledged that the F35 programme suffers from a shortage of engineers and that it is crucial that the Department addresses this issue, with significant steps already having been taken to improve the situation. However, training time required for engineers means that it is expected to take three or four years before the programme has the required numbers.

The MOD has noted the Public Accounts Committee’s recommendations related to personnel and will be responding through the Treasury Minute Process in due course. The recruitment and retention of personnel remains one of the top two priorities for the Chief of the Defence Staff.

All necessary regulatory approvals were in place ahead of the Edgewing incorporation in June.

We have three ongoing reviews into Ajax currently underway:

• Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB)
• Army Safety Investigation Team (ASIT)
• Ministerial-led Review

Atlantic Bastion (AB) is Defence’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing underwater threat. AB is not an operation; it is a plan to transition to a hybrid Navy, combining both crewed and uncrewed underwater systems. The details of this ambition are subject to the Defence Investment Plan.

Since 2011 ordinarily all Ministerial directions are published, unless the matter must be kept confidential.

There are 285 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks in service in the British Army. The Ministry of Defence does not break down equipment numbers further due to operational sensitivity.

Eight vehicles are allocated to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) for the design, build and testing phase of Challenger 3 conversion. The manufacturing phase is yet to start.

There are 285 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks in service in the British Army. The Ministry of Defence does not break down equipment numbers further due to operational sensitivity.

Eight vehicles are allocated to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) for the design, build and testing phase of Challenger 3 conversion. The manufacturing phase is yet to start.

The Initial Operating Capability for the Ajax Programme was not declared by General Dynamics on 23 July 2025.

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).

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-09-09/76173

I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my answer to Question 95727 which answered this same question.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-01/95727

As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, we launched a £182 million skills package which includes initiatives that will support apprenticeships in the defence sector, including the North West. This includes the Graduate and Apprenticeship Clearing System, which will help those candidates who narrowly missed out on a apprenticeship with a defence prime to find other opportunities within the defence supply chain.

This will build on the successful apprentice ecosystem that exists in the North West, including BAE Systems’ Skills Academy at Samlesbury and the Submarine Academy for Skills and Knowledge in Barrow-in-Furness.

Before April 2025 this information was not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate costs. I can, however, confirm that for this financial year we have approved £4.6 million on equipment, service and maintenance, and training on Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) for the purpose of enhancing our base security as set out in the 27 November 2025 statement on MOD Security Review.

Initial training will commence in January 2026 with the first tranche of pilots completing their training by March 2026. The pilots will range in rank from non-commissioned officers to senior non-commissioned officers, and civilian equivalents. Those who will be trained to manage the safety risk of the systems will be officers and civilian equivalents.

We take security extremely seriously. This investment demonstrates our commitment to enhance our ability to deter and respond to threats.

Before April 2025 this information was not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate costs. I can, however, confirm that for this financial year we have approved £4.6 million on equipment, service and maintenance, and training on Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) for the purpose of enhancing our base security as set out in the 27 November 2025 statement on MOD Security Review.

Initial training will commence in January 2026 with the first tranche of pilots completing their training by March 2026. The pilots will range in rank from non-commissioned officers to senior non-commissioned officers, and civilian equivalents. Those who will be trained to manage the safety risk of the systems will be officers and civilian equivalents.

We take security extremely seriously. This investment demonstrates our commitment to enhance our ability to deter and respond to threats.

Before April 2025 this information was not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate costs. I can, however, confirm that for this financial year we have approved £4.6 million on equipment, service and maintenance, and training on Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) for the purpose of enhancing our base security as set out in the 27 November 2025 statement on MOD Security Review.

Initial training will commence in January 2026 with the first tranche of pilots completing their training by March 2026. The pilots will range in rank from non-commissioned officers to senior non-commissioned officers, and civilian equivalents. Those who will be trained to manage the safety risk of the systems will be officers and civilian equivalents.

We take security extremely seriously. This investment demonstrates our commitment to enhance our ability to deter and respond to threats.

As of December 2025, three Type 45 Destroyers have completed their Power Improvement Project (PIP) upgrades: HMS DAUNTLESS, HMS DARING, and HMS DRAGON, HMS DEFENDER and HMS DIAMOND are currently undergoing PIP upgrades. HMS DUNCAN is operational, pending the start of her PIP upgrade, which will run concurrently with her next docking period at HMNB Portsmouth.

We are unable to release further detailed information about the forward integrated PIP schedule and upkeep plans for the Type 45 Destroyers, as to do so could risk revealing future capability levels to our adversaries.

Completing the Type 45 PIP work is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy’s (RN) current and future operational commitments. Class availability is now maximised to ensure that the RN has been able to fulfil all its operational commitments and PIP remains on target to have all six ships receive their conversions by 2028.

As of December 2025, three Type 45 Destroyers have completed their Power Improvement Project (PIP) upgrades: HMS DAUNTLESS, HMS DARING, and HMS DRAGON, HMS DEFENDER and HMS DIAMOND are currently undergoing PIP upgrades. HMS DUNCAN is operational, pending the start of her PIP upgrade, which will run concurrently with her next docking period at HMNB Portsmouth.

We are unable to release further detailed information about the forward integrated PIP schedule and upkeep plans for the Type 45 Destroyers, as to do so could risk revealing future capability levels to our adversaries.

Completing the Type 45 PIP work is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy’s (RN) current and future operational commitments. Class availability is now maximised to ensure that the RN has been able to fulfil all its operational commitments and PIP remains on target to have all six ships receive their conversions by 2028.

As of December 2025, three Type 45 Destroyers have completed their Power Improvement Project (PIP) upgrades: HMS DAUNTLESS, HMS DARING, and HMS DRAGON, HMS DEFENDER and HMS DIAMOND are currently undergoing PIP upgrades. HMS DUNCAN is operational, pending the start of her PIP upgrade, which will run concurrently with her next docking period at HMNB Portsmouth.

We are unable to release further detailed information about the forward integrated PIP schedule and upkeep plans for the Type 45 Destroyers, as to do so could risk revealing future capability levels to our adversaries.

Completing the Type 45 PIP work is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy’s (RN) current and future operational commitments. Class availability is now maximised to ensure that the RN has been able to fulfil all its operational commitments and PIP remains on target to have all six ships receive their conversions by 2028.

As of December 2025, three Type 45 Destroyers have completed their Power Improvement Project (PIP) upgrades: HMS DAUNTLESS, HMS DARING, and HMS DRAGON, HMS DEFENDER and HMS DIAMOND are currently undergoing PIP upgrades. HMS DUNCAN is operational, pending the start of her PIP upgrade, which will run concurrently with her next docking period at HMNB Portsmouth.

We are unable to release further detailed information about the forward integrated PIP schedule and upkeep plans for the Type 45 Destroyers, as to do so could risk revealing future capability levels to our adversaries.

Completing the Type 45 PIP work is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy’s (RN) current and future operational commitments. Class availability is now maximised to ensure that the RN has been able to fulfil all its operational commitments and PIP remains on target to have all six ships receive their conversions by 2028.

Under the National Security Act 2023, all Defence sites are now designated 'Prohibited Places', protecting the majority of the Defence Estate. By establishing Restricted Airspace above key sites to further support this legislation, it will allow for the swift identification and response to unlawful drone activity above our sites. It will provide Defence and law enforcement agencies with a robust legal framework to take the appropriate action.

The Restricted Airspace pilot programme begins this spring with 40 sites, supported by electronic countermeasures and police-led responses to any incursions. The pilot will be assessed after being in operation for three months and the findings will inform the wider implementation of Restricted Airspace across Defence later in 2026.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will determine how Defence intends to realise the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review and it is currently due for publication this year.

Staff dedicated to the development of the Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base (CNI KB) are not based in the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The MOD, working in close partnership with the Cabinet Office, remains committed to strengthening the UK's resilience through the advancement of CNI KB. Funding for the next phase is scheduled for 2026/27, and we are working with partners to explore opportunities to accelerate delivery, including appropriate classification levels. This initiative is a key enabler for the Strategic Defence Review and the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, ensuring Defence can support national resilience objectives effectively and efficiently.

Staff dedicated to the development of the Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base (CNI KB) are not based in the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The MOD, working in close partnership with the Cabinet Office, remains committed to strengthening the UK's resilience through the advancement of CNI KB. Funding for the next phase is scheduled for 2026/27, and we are working with partners to explore opportunities to accelerate delivery, including appropriate classification levels. This initiative is a key enabler for the Strategic Defence Review and the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, ensuring Defence can support national resilience objectives effectively and efficiently.

In support of the ongoing Brimstone 3 Demonstration programme a successful trial campaign was conducted in August 2025.

The Armed Forces assure the performance of the Land Ceptor and Sea Ceptor systems, of which CAMM is the effector, through a variety of methods, including in-service live firings. The most recent in-service firing for Land Ceptor was in May 2025 and the most recent Sea Ceptor in-service firing was in 2021.

The Project BRAKESTOP schedule has been highly ambitious from the outset. Flight trials are broadly on track.

There is no defined in-service date for Project BRAKESTOP. The Department is currently planning to place production contracts in 2026, following upcoming flight trials.

To provide the cost of the 119 War Pension Scheme awards for mesothelioma or any asbestos-related condition made 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 would require a manual review of each case to determine the exact money paid and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

As reported in the War Pensions Scheme Accredited Official Statistic, 96 lump sum awards for mesothelioma were paid out in the 2024-25 financial year at a cost of £13.2 million.

The latest WPS Annual Statistics can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/war-pensions-scheme-statistics-2025

As there is a delay between a mesothelioma claim being awarded and being paid, those paid out in 2024-25 could have been awarded in either 2023-24 or 2024-25.

Since 16 December 2015, veterans diagnosed with service-attributable mesothelioma have had the choice between a one-off, tax-free lump sum of £140,000 or regular, smaller payments in the form of an ongoing disablement pension. Disablement pensioners already in receipt of an ongoing pension on 16 December 2015 were entitled to receive a lump sum payment of £140,000 less any monies already received. Lump sum payments have been made since 11 April 2016. Further details on the policy change can be found on GOV.UK website.

The then Secretary of State for Defence granted approval for Project MATCHA in May 2021. The final programme activity occurred through a Closure Board in November 2024.

Yes, the Office for Small Business Growth is the enduring title for what was previously referred to as the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub.

The British Armed Forces pay for overseas courses that they attend.

As of 8 December 2025, there are 388 Warrior vehicles in service in the active fleet and those yet to start the disposal process:

The Out of Service date for Warrior is 2027 with all vehicles to be withdrawn from service by the end of the decade. Any vehicles that remain beyond this will be classed as surplus to requirements.

The Ministry of Defence does not provide a breakdown of equipment by unit or sub-unit for reasons of operational security.

As of 8 December 2025, there are 388 Warrior vehicles in service in the active fleet and those yet to start the disposal process:

The Out of Service date for Warrior is 2027 with all vehicles to be withdrawn from service by the end of the decade. Any vehicles that remain beyond this will be classed as surplus to requirements.

The Ministry of Defence does not provide a breakdown of equipment by unit or sub-unit for reasons of operational security.

The Strategic Defence Review announced up to £1 billion of investment in Integrated Air and Missile Defence. This announcement responds to the threat the UK faces and will shape our future Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

The Strategic Defence Review announced up to £1 billion of investment in Integrated Air and Missile Defence. This announcement responds to the threat the UK faces and will shape our future Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

A total of twenty civil private aircraft used Leuchars during that period.

It has not been possible to provide the answer within the timeframe given, I will write to the hon. Member as soon as practical and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

For reasons of operational security, we cannot provide details on the numbers of TEKEVER AR3 uncrewed air platforms procured by the Ministry of Defence.

The Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP) comprises two constituent parts, the first of which, the Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Integrated Capability (MEWSIC), has entered the final testing phase with installation at the Royal Navy’s Integration facility at Portsdown Technology Park underway.

The other half of MEWP is the Electronic Warfare Countermeasure (EWCM) Project which will deliver a trainable decoy launcher designed to counter anti-ship missiles and enhance survivability. Critical Design Review for the project was conducted mid-November 25 as part of preparation for production readiness.

The Vehicle Storage and Support Programme (VSSP) remains on schedule and work at MOD Ashchurch will be completed in 2027.

Demolition of all 58 existing buildings as part of the VSSP, has been completed.

The Vehicle Storage and Support Programme (VSSP) remains on schedule and work at MOD Ashchurch will be completed in 2027.

Demolition of all 58 existing buildings as part of the VSSP, has been completed.

I am pleased to confirm that Senior Civil Servant, Tim Ketton-Locke has been appointed to lead the office and took up post on 3 November 2025.

Whilst the exact number of staff employed by the Office for Small Business Growth is still under development, it is anticipated that staffing levels will be adjusted to reflect demand placed upon its services. Funding for the Office, including staff costs, is included within the £770 million Government investment into the delivery of the Defence Industrial Strategy.

Whilst the exact number of staff employed by the Office for Small Business Growth is still under development, it is anticipated that staffing levels will be adjusted to reflect demand placed upon its services. Funding for the Office, including staff costs, is included within the £770 million Government investment into the delivery of the Defence Industrial Strategy.