Ministry of Defence

Details of central Government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service. The details published online include whether each contract was let through competitive tendering or via direct award.

Commonwealth citizens are, and always will be, an important and valued part of the UK Armed Forces and we have never stopped recruiting them. Citizens of over 40 Commonwealth countries are currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, and as at 1 October 2025, there were 5,510 Commonwealth personnel in the Trained and Trade Trained strength of the Regular Armed Forces.

Commonwealth citizens applying to join the UK Armed Forces must have valid immigration permission to be in the UK during the selection process. For those not already in the UK, the Home Office allow Armed Forces applicants who have been invited to undergo selection, to enter the UK on the visitor route either via a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation depending on their country of origin. Once successful applicants are recruited and begin their training, the Home Office exempts them from immigration control for the duration of their Regular service.

The national security vetting (NSV) process is owned by the Cabinet Office, and the MOD must comply with it. As part of this, a UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) footprint is an integral part of the NSV process for joining the Armed Forces, and clearance levels vary depending on the Service, rank and role applied for.  Where an applicant, regardless of nationality, has not resided in the UK continuously for the required period prior to their application additional checks may be needed.   Each Service keeps these requirements under review.

Due to an unprecedented volume of applications in August 2024, the Army is not currently accepting new applications from Commonwealth citizens, other than for those who wish to be musicians, whilst it processes those who have already applied. It is not possible at this stage to say when the application window will fully re-open, but Commonwealth citizens are continuing to join the Army. The Royal Navy continues to accept Expressions of Interest and the Royal Air Force continues to accept applications from Commonwealth citizens.

There are currently no plans to review the maximum 1,350 Basic Training Start limit for Commonwealth citizens each Recruiting Year (1 March – 30 April). The number of Commonwealth citizens who are recruited each year within the 1,350 limit and for the Army, the additional 15% limit on the number of Commonwealth personnel serving in each cap badge, is adjusted as necessary by the three Services to meet their Service and operational needs.

Commonwealth citizens serve on largely the same Terms of Service as their British and Irish counterparts including pay and pensions and have the same access to service accommodation and welfare support. The Ministry of Defence also works closely with the Home Office to ensure that non-UK personnel including Commonwealth citizens and their families benefit from specific immigration rules which enable them to enter, live, work and settle in the UK and become British citizens.

Commonwealth citizens are, and always will be, an important and valued part of the UK Armed Forces and we have never stopped recruiting them. Citizens of over 40 Commonwealth countries are currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, and as at 1 October 2025, there were 5,510 Commonwealth personnel in the Trained and Trade Trained strength of the Regular Armed Forces.

Commonwealth citizens applying to join the UK Armed Forces must have valid immigration permission to be in the UK during the selection process. For those not already in the UK, the Home Office allow Armed Forces applicants who have been invited to undergo selection, to enter the UK on the visitor route either via a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation depending on their country of origin. Once successful applicants are recruited and begin their training, the Home Office exempts them from immigration control for the duration of their Regular service.

The national security vetting (NSV) process is owned by the Cabinet Office, and the MOD must comply with it. As part of this, a UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) footprint is an integral part of the NSV process for joining the Armed Forces, and clearance levels vary depending on the Service, rank and role applied for.  Where an applicant, regardless of nationality, has not resided in the UK continuously for the required period prior to their application additional checks may be needed.   Each Service keeps these requirements under review.

Due to an unprecedented volume of applications in August 2024, the Army is not currently accepting new applications from Commonwealth citizens, other than for those who wish to be musicians, whilst it processes those who have already applied. It is not possible at this stage to say when the application window will fully re-open, but Commonwealth citizens are continuing to join the Army. The Royal Navy continues to accept Expressions of Interest and the Royal Air Force continues to accept applications from Commonwealth citizens.

There are currently no plans to review the maximum 1,350 Basic Training Start limit for Commonwealth citizens each Recruiting Year (1 March – 30 April). The number of Commonwealth citizens who are recruited each year within the 1,350 limit and for the Army, the additional 15% limit on the number of Commonwealth personnel serving in each cap badge, is adjusted as necessary by the three Services to meet their Service and operational needs.

Commonwealth citizens serve on largely the same Terms of Service as their British and Irish counterparts including pay and pensions and have the same access to service accommodation and welfare support. The Ministry of Defence also works closely with the Home Office to ensure that non-UK personnel including Commonwealth citizens and their families benefit from specific immigration rules which enable them to enter, live, work and settle in the UK and become British citizens.

Commonwealth citizens are, and always will be, an important and valued part of the UK Armed Forces and we have never stopped recruiting them. Citizens of over 40 Commonwealth countries are currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, and as at 1 October 2025, there were 5,510 Commonwealth personnel in the Trained and Trade Trained strength of the Regular Armed Forces.

Commonwealth citizens applying to join the UK Armed Forces must have valid immigration permission to be in the UK during the selection process. For those not already in the UK, the Home Office allow Armed Forces applicants who have been invited to undergo selection, to enter the UK on the visitor route either via a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation depending on their country of origin. Once successful applicants are recruited and begin their training, the Home Office exempts them from immigration control for the duration of their Regular service.

The national security vetting (NSV) process is owned by the Cabinet Office, and the MOD must comply with it. As part of this, a UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) footprint is an integral part of the NSV process for joining the Armed Forces, and clearance levels vary depending on the Service, rank and role applied for.  Where an applicant, regardless of nationality, has not resided in the UK continuously for the required period prior to their application additional checks may be needed.   Each Service keeps these requirements under review.

Due to an unprecedented volume of applications in August 2024, the Army is not currently accepting new applications from Commonwealth citizens, other than for those who wish to be musicians, whilst it processes those who have already applied. It is not possible at this stage to say when the application window will fully re-open, but Commonwealth citizens are continuing to join the Army. The Royal Navy continues to accept Expressions of Interest and the Royal Air Force continues to accept applications from Commonwealth citizens.

There are currently no plans to review the maximum 1,350 Basic Training Start limit for Commonwealth citizens each Recruiting Year (1 March – 30 April). The number of Commonwealth citizens who are recruited each year within the 1,350 limit and for the Army, the additional 15% limit on the number of Commonwealth personnel serving in each cap badge, is adjusted as necessary by the three Services to meet their Service and operational needs.

Commonwealth citizens serve on largely the same Terms of Service as their British and Irish counterparts including pay and pensions and have the same access to service accommodation and welfare support. The Ministry of Defence also works closely with the Home Office to ensure that non-UK personnel including Commonwealth citizens and their families benefit from specific immigration rules which enable them to enter, live, work and settle in the UK and become British citizens.

Commonwealth citizens are, and always will be, an important and valued part of the UK Armed Forces and we have never stopped recruiting them. Citizens of over 40 Commonwealth countries are currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, and as at 1 October 2025, there were 5,510 Commonwealth personnel in the Trained and Trade Trained strength of the Regular Armed Forces.

Commonwealth citizens applying to join the UK Armed Forces must have valid immigration permission to be in the UK during the selection process. For those not already in the UK, the Home Office allow Armed Forces applicants who have been invited to undergo selection, to enter the UK on the visitor route either via a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation depending on their country of origin. Once successful applicants are recruited and begin their training, the Home Office exempts them from immigration control for the duration of their Regular service.

The national security vetting (NSV) process is owned by the Cabinet Office, and the MOD must comply with it. As part of this, a UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) footprint is an integral part of the NSV process for joining the Armed Forces, and clearance levels vary depending on the Service, rank and role applied for.  Where an applicant, regardless of nationality, has not resided in the UK continuously for the required period prior to their application additional checks may be needed.   Each Service keeps these requirements under review.

Due to an unprecedented volume of applications in August 2024, the Army is not currently accepting new applications from Commonwealth citizens, other than for those who wish to be musicians, whilst it processes those who have already applied. It is not possible at this stage to say when the application window will fully re-open, but Commonwealth citizens are continuing to join the Army. The Royal Navy continues to accept Expressions of Interest and the Royal Air Force continues to accept applications from Commonwealth citizens.

There are currently no plans to review the maximum 1,350 Basic Training Start limit for Commonwealth citizens each Recruiting Year (1 March – 30 April). The number of Commonwealth citizens who are recruited each year within the 1,350 limit and for the Army, the additional 15% limit on the number of Commonwealth personnel serving in each cap badge, is adjusted as necessary by the three Services to meet their Service and operational needs.

Commonwealth citizens serve on largely the same Terms of Service as their British and Irish counterparts including pay and pensions and have the same access to service accommodation and welfare support. The Ministry of Defence also works closely with the Home Office to ensure that non-UK personnel including Commonwealth citizens and their families benefit from specific immigration rules which enable them to enter, live, work and settle in the UK and become British citizens.

Commonwealth citizens are, and always will be, an important and valued part of the UK Armed Forces and we have never stopped recruiting them. Citizens of over 40 Commonwealth countries are currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, and as at 1 October 2025, there were 5,510 Commonwealth personnel in the Trained and Trade Trained strength of the Regular Armed Forces.

Commonwealth citizens applying to join the UK Armed Forces must have valid immigration permission to be in the UK during the selection process. For those not already in the UK, the Home Office allow Armed Forces applicants who have been invited to undergo selection, to enter the UK on the visitor route either via a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation depending on their country of origin. Once successful applicants are recruited and begin their training, the Home Office exempts them from immigration control for the duration of their Regular service.

The national security vetting (NSV) process is owned by the Cabinet Office, and the MOD must comply with it. As part of this, a UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) footprint is an integral part of the NSV process for joining the Armed Forces, and clearance levels vary depending on the Service, rank and role applied for.  Where an applicant, regardless of nationality, has not resided in the UK continuously for the required period prior to their application additional checks may be needed.   Each Service keeps these requirements under review.

Due to an unprecedented volume of applications in August 2024, the Army is not currently accepting new applications from Commonwealth citizens, other than for those who wish to be musicians, whilst it processes those who have already applied. It is not possible at this stage to say when the application window will fully re-open, but Commonwealth citizens are continuing to join the Army. The Royal Navy continues to accept Expressions of Interest and the Royal Air Force continues to accept applications from Commonwealth citizens.

There are currently no plans to review the maximum 1,350 Basic Training Start limit for Commonwealth citizens each Recruiting Year (1 March – 30 April). The number of Commonwealth citizens who are recruited each year within the 1,350 limit and for the Army, the additional 15% limit on the number of Commonwealth personnel serving in each cap badge, is adjusted as necessary by the three Services to meet their Service and operational needs.

Commonwealth citizens serve on largely the same Terms of Service as their British and Irish counterparts including pay and pensions and have the same access to service accommodation and welfare support. The Ministry of Defence also works closely with the Home Office to ensure that non-UK personnel including Commonwealth citizens and their families benefit from specific immigration rules which enable them to enter, live, work and settle in the UK and become British citizens.

The Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) has 15 Victim Liaison Officer positions. The assessment of VWCU’s standard and quality of service has to date been based on internal assurance, reviews and proactively acting upon feedback surveys from both clients (victims/witnesses) and professional stakeholders.

When His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services undertake their assessment of the Defence Serious Crime Command, the VWCU will welcome their review of the victim service that is being provided. Furthermore, the VWCU have welcomed and generated open and transparent visits with key stakeholders.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) publishes annual Official Statistics into Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offending in the Service Justice System. Based on the latest Official Statistic data (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/murder-manslaughter-sexual-offences-and-domestic-abuse-in-the-service-justice-system-2024), between 2022 and 2024 the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) conducted 429 investigations into sexual assaults (s2 and s3, Sexual Offences Act 2003). Additionally, 65 sexual assault investigations were transferred to Civilian Police Forces for investigation or formed part of their enquiries, or were re-categorised following investigation and no longer fell under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Data for 2025 is not included as this will be published on 26 March 2026.

Similar to the position in the published statistics from the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales, there is no central data set that tracks each investigation from initial report of an offence through to outcome. Therefore, it is not possible to calculate from our centrally held data how many initial reports of a sexual assault led to charges or a trial.

From 2022 to 2024 there were 201 cases directed with charges for sexual assault by the Service Prosecuting Authority. This data is different to the Official Statistics data as it includes all cases with charges made each year, whereas the Official Statistics only report the outcomes from the referrals received each year.

From Official Statistics data, since 2022 there have been 68 defendants convicted of sexual assault offences. Where a defendant has been tried for charges across multiple offence categories, it will result in the defendant being recorded more than once. Some cases that have been directed for Court Martial may still be ongoing.

We are confident that a greater proportion of incidents got to trial in the Service Justice System for a number of reasons, including the rate that victims withdraw from investigations and prosecutions. Noting that there are procedural differences between the two systems, administrative data suggests 59% of victims of adult rape-flagged offences withdrew from investigations in 2024 in the Criminal Justice System compared to 24% of rape offences in the Service Justice System. During prosecutions, 19% withdrew in the Criminal Justice System compared to almost none in the Service Justice System.

The Service Police Confidential crime line is monitored continuously by Service Police Officers employed within the Service Police Crime Bureau Operations Room. The service is widely publicised throughout the Services and on the internet, including but not limited to https://www.army.mod.uk/support-and-training/health-performance-and-wellbeing/ask-for-help/victim-support-pathway/ and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-serious-crime-unit-dscu.

The Army Welfare Service (AWS) has the capacity, professional expertise, and national coverage required to provide safeguarding oversight, youth service provision, and coordinated mental health support to survivors of sexual assault across the Army.

For youth services, the AWS Community Support staff deliver early help services, youth engagement, and targeted support to Service children and young people which includes signposting and referral to specialist welfare and safeguarding services as required.

Young people aged 11–18 from Armed Forces families, as well as Junior Soldiers and Cadets, can also access free and confidential online counselling through Kooth, including support for those affected by sexual harassment or assault.

AWS Community Support staff deliver a Life Skills programme to Junior Soldiers at the Army Foundation College Harrogate. This programme includes sessions on consent, unacceptable behaviours, sexual harassment, and healthy relationships.

It is Army policy that units must refer all incidents of sexual assault to AWS who work directly with the victim to agree an appropriate support plan. The AWS Specialist Welfare function delivers accessible, confidential, and independent welfare support to Army personnel and their families across the UK and overseas.

AWS staff are trained to manage complex safeguarding and vulnerability concerns working within established Army and Defence safeguarding frameworks and advising the Chain of Command on their duty of care obligations and ensuring referrals are made to appropriate statutory services.

Through the Vulnerability Risk Management process, AWS coordinates with Medical Officers, Departments of Community Mental Health, civilian GPs and NHS crisis mental health teams. This approach ensures survivors receive timely mental health assessment, therapeutic input, and ongoing multiagency support where required.

However, we are not complacent and keep the provision, and communication of what is available, under consideration. For example, the Victim Support Pathway was launched on 1 September 2025:

https://www.army.mod.uk/support-and-training/health-performance-and-wellbeing/ask-for-help/victim-support-pathway/

Where safety concerns exist, AWS has access to the Service Cotswold Centre, which can be used as a refuge setting, and can signpost victims to Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) funded through the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce will address the cultural and behavioural drivers of unacceptable sexual behaviour, particularly against women, within the Armed Forces. Based on sites with significant training footprints, teams will work with local military training, welfare and other partners to design and test early intervention initiatives targeted at trainees, supporting the highest behavioural standards from the outset.

The Taskforce is being introduced in phases to deliver quickly and iteratively. Phase 1 locations are HMNB Devonport (South West) and Catterick Garrison (Yorkshire and the Humber). Locations were selected to maximise impact across major training sites. Phase 2 locations will be RAF Halton and British Forces Cyprus, providing Tri-Service coverage. Future sites will be determined through ongoing data analysis. All Phase 1 Taskforce posts have now been filled and onboarding is underway, with teams expected to be fully operational this year.

In parallel, the central Defence team is advancing wider victim survivor support measures, including launching the Independent Legal Advocacy Pilot.

The Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce will address the cultural and behavioural drivers of unacceptable sexual behaviour, particularly against women, within the Armed Forces. Based on sites with significant training footprints, teams will work with local military training, welfare and other partners to design and test early intervention initiatives targeted at trainees, supporting the highest behavioural standards from the outset.

The Taskforce is being introduced in phases to deliver quickly and iteratively. Phase 1 locations are HMNB Devonport (South West) and Catterick Garrison (Yorkshire and the Humber). Locations were selected to maximise impact across major training sites. Phase 2 locations will be RAF Halton and British Forces Cyprus, providing Tri-Service coverage. Future sites will be determined through ongoing data analysis. All Phase 1 Taskforce posts have now been filled and onboarding is underway, with teams expected to be fully operational this year.

In parallel, the central Defence team is advancing wider victim survivor support measures, including launching the Independent Legal Advocacy Pilot.

The Independent Legal Advocacy pilot will provide impartial legal support to anyone aged 18 or over, irrespective of whether they are Service personnel or civilians. Anyone who reports a sexual offence pursuant with the Sexual Offences Act 1956/2003, that has been committed by a Service person subject to Service Law or a civilian subject to Service Discipline that is being investigated by the Service Justice System, will qualify for support from Spring 2026. It fills a longstanding gap by giving complainants clear procedural legal information to help them understand and navigate a complex system. The pilot will be delivered entirely by external specialist solicitors, fully independent of the Defence Chain of Command. The service will be free, with advice delivered virtually to ensure maximum accessibility across Defence, including overseas.

The Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) has a Professional Standards Department where people can raise complaints/concerns in respect of the DSCC and Victim Witness Care Unit. The Service Police Complaints Commissioner also provides oversight of the Service Police complaints process to raise standards in Service policing, and secure trust and confidence in the Service Police complaints system.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. No project name has yet been allocated and the name of the weapon system will depend on which proposal is taken forward into production.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. No project name has yet been allocated and the name of the weapon system will depend on which proposal is taken forward into production.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. No project name has yet been allocated and the name of the weapon system will depend on which proposal is taken forward into production.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. The new weapon system will be introduced through the spiral acquisition model, delivering a Minimum Deployable Capability followed by iterative enhancements.

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all Government Departments.

The Office for National Statistics have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Project SYNERGIA is the Royal Air Force's research and development programme to inform the requirements for a core capability to provide protection for fixed sites from the threat of drones.

Artificial intelligence (AI), including frontier AI, presents both risks and opportunities for the UK. The concentration of AI capability development in a small number of overseas jurisdictions raises challenges, in terms of balancing delivery of the capabilities we want with the assurance and freedom of action we need. The Government manages these strategic implications through close cooperation with trusted allies, engagement with industry, and sustained investment in domestic capability and skills.

The Type 26 programme will deliver eight anti-submarine warfare frigates for the Royal Navy, which are designed primarily for operations in the North Atlantic and will form a core component of the Atlantic Bastion concept.

Within the Atlantic Bastion concept, Royal Navy general‑purpose frigates will continue to play an important role in providing maritime presence, patrol, escort and reassurance tasks, while also acting as flexible platforms able to integrate with uncrewed systems. The exact pace and scale of capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion will be determined through the Defence Investment Plan.

The Secretary of State for Defence and First Sea Lord have engaged with counterparts and senior officials from Canada, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands on the Atlantic Bastion concept through a range of bilateral and multilateral forums, including NATO Defence Ministerial meetings and North Atlantic-focused working groups. The UK will continue to work closely with these Allies to ensure the North Atlantic remains secure and resilient.

Within the Atlantic Bastion concept, Royal Navy general‑purpose frigates will continue to play an important role in providing maritime presence, patrol, escort and reassurance tasks, while also acting as flexible platforms able to integrate with uncrewed systems. The exact pace and scale of capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion will be determined through the Defence Investment Plan.

The Secretary of State for Defence and First Sea Lord have engaged with counterparts and senior officials from Canada, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands on the Atlantic Bastion concept through a range of bilateral and multilateral forums, including NATO Defence Ministerial meetings and North Atlantic-focused working groups. The UK will continue to work closely with these Allies to ensure the North Atlantic remains secure and resilient.

The UK works closely with Canada and Norway to ensure interoperability across frigates based on the Type 26 design through regular engagements covering shipbuilding, training, supply chain management, through life sustainability and aligned standard operating procedures.

The transition from UK Strategic Command (UKStratCom) to Cyber and Strategic Operations Command (CSOC) was executed with a strong emphasis on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Up-front CSOC visual identity changes have currently incurred no additional cost by utilising pre-approved Ministry of Defence branding. Most signage updates were completed at no additional expense through existing contracts, whilst specific Northwood Headquarters signage changes cost £5,245.50. Additionally, staff lanyards were procured for £1,075.

The total expenditure to date of £6,320.50 reflects an investment that ensures the Command’s identity aligns with its mission to integrate cyber and electromagnetic capabilities, balanced against ensuring value for money.

There is an expectation that some further branding may take place in Financial Year 2026-27, with a potential for a new logo and more signage changes, however these costs have not yet been scoped.

This Government is fully committed to ensuring that veterans in Gloucester and across the UK have access to the support they need on housing. That is why we have committed an additional £12 million to ensure the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme. Op FORTITUDE has also been extended, putting the service that has already supported over 1,000 veterans on a sustainable footing. These programmes will deliver three years of support services across the UK for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

In December last year, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published A National Plan to End Homelessness. The Ministry of Defence contributed to this strategy including committing to ensuring that all councils are aware of service provision in their area to support veterans at risk of homelessness.

The drone that struck RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026 did strike a hangar causing minimal damage.

As at 5 March 2026, 163 individuals are recorded as being employed on a visa by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) or its Arm’s Length Bodies.

MOD Civil Service jobs generally require candidates to be either UK nationals, Commonwealth citizens, or EEA nationals. Foreign nationals with valid visas, such as Skilled Worker Visas, are eligible to apply but must be able to provide evidence of their right to work.

Permissions to utilise UK military bases by foreign nations are considered on a case-by-case basis. All UK support to allies for operational purposes considers the legal basis and policy rationale for any proposed activity.

The agreement allowing the US to use UK miliary bases is for specific and limited defensive action against missile facilities in Iran which are involved in launching strikes at regional allies.

Permissions to utilise UK military bases by foreign nations are considered on a case-by-case basis. All UK support to allies for operational purposes considers the legal basis and policy rationale for any proposed activity.

The agreement allowing the US to use UK miliary bases is for specific and limited defensive action against missile facilities in Iran which are involved in launching strikes at regional allies.

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

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

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

Training pathways for the use of small Uncrewed Air Systems (sUAS) are expanding rapidly as the Army continues to build skills in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons learned from Ukraine.

Centralised sUAS training delivered by the Land Warfare Centre has been in development for much of this training year. As pathways mature, the Centre is currently scheduled to deliver 65 courses in Training Year 2026-27, with this number expected to increase or remain consistent in future years depending on uptake.

Alongside this, distributed training—delivered by individual units within the Field Army—remains a significant element of the Army’s approach. 283 distributed courses have been scheduled in the current training year, and the number of available course places is expected to grow in future years.

Exact figures on the number of units training specifically on small Uncrewed Air Systems (sUAS) are not held centrally. However, as of March 2026, 127 Army units are reported to be conducting training on Uncrewed Air Systems, the vast majority of which relates to sUAS.

Training pathways for the use of small Uncrewed Air Systems (sUAS) are expanding rapidly as the Army continues to build skills in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons learned from Ukraine.

Centralised sUAS training delivered by the Land Warfare Centre has been in development for much of this training year. As pathways mature, the Centre is currently scheduled to deliver 65 courses in Training Year 2026-27, with this number expected to increase or remain consistent in future years depending on uptake.

Alongside this, distributed training—delivered by individual units within the Field Army—remains a significant element of the Army’s approach. 283 distributed courses have been scheduled in the current training year, and the number of available course places is expected to grow in future years.

Exact figures on the number of units training specifically on small Uncrewed Air Systems (sUAS) are not held centrally. However, as of March 2026, 127 Army units are reported to be conducting training on Uncrewed Air Systems, the vast majority of which relates to sUAS.

ECW training is conducted as required to support operational and exercise commitments, particularly in the High North. The RAF regularly train and operate alongside NATO allies and Nordic partners in extreme cold environments.

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme continues to move towards its Full Business Case approval in 2026. The schedule for completing the approval process is structured to allow continued delivery of industry work (where approvals are already in place to protect work throughout 2026) without the approval process introducing any delay.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has an established Intellectual Property (IP) acquisition policy which applies to all procurement contracts including those for equipment and armoured fighting vehicles.

Unless special circumstances apply, the MOD’s policy is to leave the ownership of IP resulting from a contract with the contractor, while securing rights to use IP for internal use by the MOD, its technical advisers when necessary, and for competitive contracting for goods and services (including equipment support) needed by the MOD. This approach enables the MOD to operate, maintain and refresh capabilities without being dependent on others (“freedom of action”); and provides value-for-money. ​

The UK's defence spending is reported to and published by NATO. The figures requested can be found online: https://www.nato.int/content/dam/nato/webready/documents/finance/def-exp-2025-en.pdf

I responded to the hon. Member on 10 March 2026.

I responded to the hon. Member on 10 March 2026.

The UK and Poland will engage in joint training which will include a mix of live training and Digital Synthetic elements to maximise the benefits to both nations’ service personnel.

The UK and Poland will engage in joint training which will include a mix of live training and Digital Synthetic elements to maximise the benefits to both nations’ service personnel.