Ministry of Defence

Our overseas training programme is kept under review to ensure it reflects Defence priorities and operational requirements, both for the UK and our partners. The programme is inherently dynamic and decisions taken one year do not determine activity in future years. This approach allows the Services to select the most appropriate activities to meet current training needs. This approach ensures flexibility, avoids duplication, and delivers value for money while maintaining our ability to meet NATO and wider operational commitments.

The decision of whether to participate in an exercise would not impact plans to retire individual vessels, nor would it impact upon plans to retire military platforms.

As outlined in my previous response, the single Services remain committed to prioritising training exercises in alignment with both our own and partners' operational needs, as well as the priorities outlined in the Strategic Defence Review

The exact number of training exercises and the scale of the RAF's participation in such exercises vary from year to year due to a range of factors including operational commitments and UK and host nation political considerations.

The National Security Strategy and the Strategic Defence Review acknowledge that the UK and European allies face a new era of threat.

Defence plays a key role in the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, a whole of Government endeavour, to enhance our national security, resilience and preparedness for crisis and conflict. Defence is central to this, combining its strengths with those of wider Government, industry and society. The department maintains plans in coordination with NATO and wider Government, with the Armed Forces continually exercising their capabilities to ensure they can respond rapidly and effectively to keep Britian safe.

As a matter of policy, the Department does not comment on the detailed operational readiness or tasking of individual ships.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 November 2025, to Question 93047.

The Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence continuously assess our Rules of Engagement to ensure our Armed Forces can act appropriately against malign activities and future threats. For reasons of national security, I am not able to disclose specific detail on Rules of Engagement.

This Government is fully committed to ensuring that all veterans 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 will also be 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.

On 11 December 2025, 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.

As a matter of policy, the Department does not comment on the detailed readiness or availability of individual ships.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

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. Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so would be inappropriate to comment further.

The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

As at 30 November 2025, 1,020 civil servants are on fixed term contracts, amounting to two percent of Ministry of Defence civil servants. Consultants are not classed as civil servants.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 December 2025 to Question 96235. The Office will be owned by the National Armaments Director.

The total remuneration package for the RAF Engineers Financial Retention Incentive is approximately £113.5 million.

The Department is taking measures to improve the recruitment and retention of engineers, whilst also increasing the number of engineers on the F-35 Lightning Force to improve availability.

Many 155 mm Artillery systems, including K9-Thunder, were considered as candidates for the Army’s enduring artillery capability, prior to selection of the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm for the Mobile Fires Platform.

The Army continues to evaluate its need against current conditions.

On current plans, the Out of Service Date for L118 105 mm Light Gun is 2030.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 November 2025 to Question 88294, which remains extant.

UK Regular Armed Forces intake is now greater than outflow at the Tri-Service level and strength remained stable over a rolling 12-month period. Published stats (1 October 2025) show that since 1 October 2024, the total number of UK Forces Personnel has increased by 0.3% (increase of 516 to 182,063). Armed Forces inflow has increased by 13% when compared to previous 12-months. In the same period outflow reduced by 8%.

There is no single reason why personnel leave the Armed Forces, but the personnel who completed the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey indicated reasons for leaving the Armed Forces included the impact of Service life on family and personal life and opportunities outside the Armed Forces.

We are pleased to be reversing the trend of decline, with more people joining our Armed Forces than leaving for the first time in four years. But we know there is more to do to and are taking decisive action, including speeding up the process for those wishing to rejoin the Armed Forces, giving personnel the largest pay rise in decades and scrapping 100 outdated recruitment policies, and legislating the first-ever Armed Forces Commissioner to improve Service life.

The twelve decommissioned, first generation Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR1) submarines awaiting defuel in Devonport will dock in a specialised, licensed dock in Devonport, following processes regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation. The used fuel will be removed, loaded into a qualified transport container and transported to Sellafield prior to long-term storage in the Geological Disposal Facility. Submarines will be dismantled after the fuel has been removed. Work is underway to prepare the dock facilities and associated resources in line with plans to recommence defueling in 2026.

Dismantling of Swiftsure commenced in Rosyth in 2023. This demonstrator project will refine the disposal process and is on track to be dismantled by the end of 2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in 2019.  Lessons learned from these defuel and dismantling projects will provide more certainty around the schedule for defueling and dismantling the remaining 22 decommissioned submarines.

The twelve decommissioned, first generation Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR1) submarines awaiting defuel in Devonport will dock in a specialised, licensed dock in Devonport, following processes regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation. The used fuel will be removed, loaded into a qualified transport container and transported to Sellafield prior to long-term storage in the Geological Disposal Facility. Submarines will be dismantled after the fuel has been removed. Work is underway to prepare the dock facilities and associated resources in line with plans to recommence defueling in 2026.

Dismantling of Swiftsure commenced in Rosyth in 2023. This demonstrator project will refine the disposal process and is on track to be dismantled by the end of 2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in 2019.  Lessons learned from these defuel and dismantling projects will provide more certainty around the schedule for defueling and dismantling the remaining 22 decommissioned submarines.

The Department regularly assesses the Defence enterprise’s ability to respond swiftly to sustained conflict. Additional measures to support rapid mobilisation and sustained readiness were outlined in the Defence Industrial Strategy and the Strategic Defence Review. The current strategy prioritises resilience by developing integrated and assured supply chains, scalable production capacity, and an “always-on” munitions capability that can be rapidly expanded. Working across Government and with international partners, significant progress is already underway.

Key initiatives include regular wargaming exercises with industry, reforms to commercial processes, establishing a dedicated scenario planning and modelling capability and developing potential legislative powers to remove barriers and accelerate delivery of critical projects.

The Ministry of Defence employs a rigorous approach to identify and mitigate risks arising from gaps in defence capability, ensuring the delivery of defence's strategic and operational objectives. The Strategic Defence Review sets out recommendations to enhance the agility and lethality of our armed forces, which will be implemented through the Defence Investment Plan. The Integration of our defence capabilities will be driven through the Integrated Force Plan, ensuring that capability remains coherent and aligned with national defence strategy.

There are no plans to extend the out-of-service date for Warrior beyond 2027, and as such an extension is not under consideration. The focus remains on achieving the Strategic Defence Review's vision for a tenfold increase in British Army lethality over the next decade, with survivable and lethal platforms, such as armoured fighting vehicles, playing a central role alongside new layered systems of attritable and consumable platforms.

Challenger 3 is currently undergoing demonstration phase trials to prove the performance of the tanks. Manufacturing will begin once the tank's performance is proven, rather than being tied to a specific deadline.

The project team will review the timeline regularly to ensure alignment with delivery milestones, operational needs, and emerging technical risks.

Challenger 3 is currently undergoing demonstration phase trials to prove the performance of the tanks. Manufacturing will begin once the tank's performance is proven, rather than being tied to a specific deadline.

The project team will review the timeline regularly to ensure alignment with delivery milestones, operational needs, and emerging technical risks.

The Department's definition of liquidated damages is a pre-agreed sum to compensate for the financial loss that arises from the contractor’s failure to perform their contractual obligations.

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

As published in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25 data. The initial acquisition cost for the contracted Mechanised Infantry Boxer vehicles is £3.1 billion. The forecast whole life cost for the Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme, covering wider Defence Lines of Development such as support and potential capability uplifts, is £7 billion.

https://www.gov.uk/csv-preview/6895fbb63080e72710b2e2ef/nista_annual_report_data_2425.csv

The command system onboard Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, referred to as the Mission System, is primarily manufactured and integrated by Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

The Secretary of State for Defence regularly speaks with his US counterpart to discuss critical bilateral topics. Defence ministers, service chiefs, and officials frequently engage with their US counterparts on the E-7 programme. Most recently, the Chief of the Air Staff discussed it with his US counterpart in November 2025.

The Department has not ordered any Raybird systems since 5 July 2024.

The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining a presence in the Middle East, reassuring partners and contributing to regional security and stability. Central to this posture is the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC), located in Bahrain, with a footprint of c125 personnel, which commands and controls Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. This also includes the MOD’s role in the Combined Maritime Forces framework and the delivery of training to regional partners.

The Royal Navy is evolving its approach to operations in the Middle East, focusing on modernising capabilities, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring basing and access for times of crisis. The RN’s modernisation programme has already delivered an autonomous mine countermeasures capability operating in the Gulf, which continues to innovate at pace. In terms of personnel footprint, the RN maintains a strong regional presence, including roles within US Fifth Fleet Task Forces in Bahrain, Loan Service personnel in Oman, RN embeds in the British Military Mission in Kuwait, and RN personnel advising on seabed warfare through the Ministry of Defence Saudi Armed Forces Programme (MODSAP) programme in Saudi Arabia.

The RN remains agile and ready to respond to emerging threats, deploying platforms to meet Defence Plan commitments and operational requirements, which are continuously reviewed.

The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining a presence in the Middle East, reassuring partners and contributing to regional security and stability. Central to this posture is the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC), located in Bahrain, with a footprint of c125 personnel, which commands and controls Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. This also includes the MOD’s role in the Combined Maritime Forces framework and the delivery of training to regional partners.

The Royal Navy is evolving its approach to operations in the Middle East, focusing on modernising capabilities, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring basing and access for times of crisis. The RN’s modernisation programme has already delivered an autonomous mine countermeasures capability operating in the Gulf, which continues to innovate at pace. In terms of personnel footprint, the RN maintains a strong regional presence, including roles within US Fifth Fleet Task Forces in Bahrain, Loan Service personnel in Oman, RN embeds in the British Military Mission in Kuwait, and RN personnel advising on seabed warfare through the Ministry of Defence Saudi Armed Forces Programme (MODSAP) programme in Saudi Arabia.

The RN remains agile and ready to respond to emerging threats, deploying platforms to meet Defence Plan commitments and operational requirements, which are continuously reviewed.

For reasons of operational security, we cannot provide details on the numbers of BriteStorm Electronic Warfare jamming systems procured by the Ministry of Defence.

Atlantic Bastion has only been allocated pre-concept funding to date, estimated at c£10 million. The Defence Investment Plan, when published, will set the funding envelope for the programme.