Ministry of Defence
We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Defence)
Conservative
James Cartlidge (Con - South Suffolk)Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Liberal Democrat
Helen Maguire (LD - Epsom and Ewell)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Baroness Goldie (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Defence)
Earl of Minto (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Mark Francois (Con - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Ministers of State
Lord Coaker (Lab - Life peer)Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Maria Eagle (Lab - Liverpool Garston)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Al Carns (Lab - Birmingham Selly Oak)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Luke Pollard (LAB - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
17:20
This inquiry will examine the AUKUS partnership, a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the US and the UK which was …
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43215 on Armed …
This Order amends the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme 1983 (“the Scheme”), which makes provision for the payment of pensions and …
A Bill to establish, and confer functions on, the Armed Forces Commissioner; to abolish the office of Service Complaints Ombudsman; …
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News and Communications
Ministry of Defence Commons Appearances
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Bills currently before Parliament
Ministry of Defence does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
Ministry of Defence has not passed any Acts during the 2024 Parliament
Ministry of Defence - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
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Departmental Select Committee
Defence Committee
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
11 Members of the Defence Committee
Defence Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee: Upcoming Events
6 May 2025, 11 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Oral evidence
One-off Session on Defence Space
6 May 2025, 10:30 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Oral evidence
The UK contribution to European Security
13 May 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
3 Jun 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
10 Jun 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
17 Jun 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
24 Jun 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
1 Jul 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
8 Jul 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
15 Jul 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee: 24 Current Inquiries
Defence Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)The UK will continue to maintain a close relationship with its domestic and international industry partners on all aspects of the adequacy of the defence industrial supply chain required to support our capabilities.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is looking hard at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges, threats and opportunity of the 21 century. The SDR will ensure the UK is secure at home and strong abroad, now and for years to come.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois) on 4 February 2025 to Question 26432.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve recruitment since July 2024.
The Army’s target for applications for all streams (Regular soldier, Regular Officer, Army Reserve soldier and Officer) for Recruiting Year 2025-26 is 198,000 (rounded).
Whilst neither the Royal Navy nor Royal Air Force set formal targets for volume of applications, both closely monitor other recruitment metrics including attendance at the various suitability assessments and performance against intake targets. In addition, the RAF has a KPI for achieving a target for Expressions of Interest, set for their marketing contractors. This data is used to hold each Service to account and to forecast progress using known assessment pass rates and overall conversion rate.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is chosen through a highly rigorous selection process to ensure the most suitable and qualified candidate for the role. This will continue to be the case.
Operational experience is one of the criteria for eligible candidates, along with the requisite leadership and management credentials.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Submarine Dismantling Project remains on track for the demonstrator submarine, SWIFTSURE, to be fully dismantled by the end of 2026.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and we are focused on improving Armed Forces recruitment. Defence is committed to reducing the time taken for candidates to pass through Armed Forces recruitment processes and enter Service. Recent policies have included setting an ambition to make a conditional offer of employment to candidates within 10 days, and a provisional training start date within 30 days if they desire it.
The median time taken to pass through recruitment and enter Service has been significantly reduced from a peak of 475 days in 2022 down to 290 days in 2024, a reduction of 39 per cent, with the individual Services pursuing options to reduce further.
These activities and their impacts will inform the development of the Armed Forces Recruitment Service which is being implemented to further improve the speed with which highly motivated and capable people can join our Armed Forces.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Gulf War Syndrome is an umbrella term which refers to a cluster of medically unexplained chronic symptoms reported by veterans of the 1991 Gulf War conflict. These symptoms vary widely between individuals and therefore there is no prescribed list of medical conditions/and or symptoms categorised under this umbrella term.
The following link provides the background which sets out the history and research into the matter: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/gulf-veterans-illnesses
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future (SWIF) programme will deliver substantial infrastructure upgrades at HM Naval Base Devonport, as part of a wider significant investment programme to restore capacity and resilience to support the maintenance of our submarine fleet. The design phase of the SWIF programme is coming to a close and we are now starting the construction stage. This comes on the back of the restoration of 9 Dock to undertake submarine deep maintenance and 15 Dock to enable operational maintenance.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The SPEAR Cap 3 programme remains in the Demonstration and Manufacture phase. The first SPEAR 3 Guided Firing took place missile from a BAE Systems-operated Typhoon in October 2024 at a test range in Sweden. Plans for the subsequent Guided Firing trials are on track with scheduled dates in summer 2025 at the same Swedish range. Hardware has been delivered by MBDA to Lockheed Martin in the US to support F-35B integration activity including on aircraft flights planned for summer 2025.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The first successful guided firing of Sea Venom took place at the Aberporth range in Wales in October 2024, marking a significant milestone in the integration of Sea Venom onto Wildcat. Initial Operating Capability is on schedule to be declared by June, aligned to the Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment, with Full Operating Capability expected by 2029.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence has made significant progress in implementing the Spearfish Upgrade Programme, focusing on enhancing the capabilities of the Spearfish torpedo system to meet evolving defence requirements. The integration of the Spearfish Mod 1 torpedo with the submarine's combat system has been demonstrated through in-water firings.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence regularly reviews its critical supply chains to identify and mitigate risks to defence capability, including defence Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). We utilise the full suite of economic and security tools to manage national security risks to our assets, including the National Security and Investment Act and advice from the National Technical Authorities (NCSC and NPSA) on best practice for CNI security and resilience.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This Government is clear that we see no conflict between sustainable investment and investment in our world-leading defence sector. The new Defence Industrial Strategy will align the UK’s economic and security priorities and unlock the potential of every region and nation across the UK. This will include creating the conditions needed for the private sector to invest more, and pro-actively, in the defence sector.
The Trade Association ADS’s first Defence Environment, Social and Governance Charter Report highlighted the positive contribution that the defence industry is making to supporting our environment and our communities.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The New Consumer Charter is part of a new Defence Housing Strategy and will be published later this year.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Better and clearer communication for Service families, including a named Housing Officer for every Service family who they can contact for specific housing related queries, is one of the seven commitments announced in the new Consumer Charter.
Work is currently underway to review Housing Officer's duties, roles and responsibilities along with the current Housing Officer structure. A new Housing Officer Vision has been rolled out via recent Housing Officer workshops.
Service families will know who their Housing Officer is and how to contact them, either by telephone and email, or through local initiatives (including housing surgeries, open offices, online consultations and coffee mornings, estate and community walks).
Final detail will be set out in the Defence Housing Strategy following consultation with Military personnel and their families.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Defence Housing Strategy is planned for publication later this year.
It will set out a roadmap to deliver a generational renewal of military accommodation; the projected costs of which are under review.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Defence Housing Strategy is planned for publication later this year.
It will set out a roadmap to deliver a generational renewal of military accommodation; the projected costs of which are under review.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Ministry of Defence (MOD) works closely with Local Authorities to secure alternative development for sites post military use, this includes securing allocations in Local Plans, public consultation as part of master planning, and where appropriate working with development partners. the MOD is also working in partnership with Homes England to accelerate the release of public land.
The Government has set out its ambitions to unlock thousands of new homes on surplus defence land, including via the creation of a new taskforce between MOD, HM Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
A combination of factors will be considered when selecting Service Family homes for renovation under the new Consumer Charter.
All homes will be assessed against factors including condition, thermal efficiency, age, safety, and modernity as well as whether the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has an enduring requirement for them; ensuring a geographical spread of investment across the UK; and a mixture of Officer and Other Rank properties.
The Department will prioritise 1,000 of the worst homes, with renovation work starting at the beginning of Summer 2025 and being completed by the end of the year.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of ensuring our supply chains are resilient to shocks and threats, and that we can have confidence in their ability to deliver and maintain the critical outputs we require. We work closely with our defence suppliers to ensure continuity of supply for our programmes, though it is not for Government to intervene in supply chains as a result of industry transactions.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Brimstone 3 remains in the Demonstration and Manufacture phase. The first safe separation firing from the Typhoon aircraft is expected to occur in summer 2025, prior to the weapons system being fielded on Protector in Quarter four 2025 and Typhoon in Quarter four 2026.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Progress continues to be made on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The core platform, that will sit at its heart, is being delivered through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
The GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) to oversee delivery on behalf of our partner governments, Japan and Italy, has been created. Additionally, on 13 December, BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC), reached an agreement to form a new company under a business joint venture for GCAP, subject to regulatory approvals.
Both the GIGO and the proposed Industry Joint Venture will have their Head Quarters in Reading.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government is assessing the impact of, and our response to, US tariffs across the full spectrum of UK manufacturing industries, including the defence sector. The United States remains the United Kingdom's foremost defence and security partner. The UK has a strong and balanced trading relationship with the US worth £315 billion which supports 2.5 million jobs across both countries. This Government is seeking to negotiate an agreement with the US to deepen our economic relationship, while ensuring all options are considered in response to tariffs.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department continues to deliver on its commitment to invest in its military estate with six infrastructure projects in construction, and four surplus sites sold in the current Parliament.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The delivery of all 22 A400M Atlas airframes is now complete and they are in frontline service.
In co-ordination with the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, the A400M Programme off-boarded from the Government Major Projects Portfolio on 31 March 2025.
The UK remains committed to the six-Partner Nation agreement for A400M and signed the 'Global Deal' in September 2024 to confirm the final standard of aircraft, commit to the global spares support contract for the coming years and the first spiral upgrade to assure A400M remains at the forefront of technology.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The declaration of Full Operating Capability for the first procurement phase is scheduled to occur no later than 31 December 2025, with graduation as a Government Major Projects Portfolio programme by 31 March 2026. The first procurement phase of 48 aircraft continues to be delivered.
617 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron have now embarked on HMS Prince of Wales for Operation Highmast. This mission will involve exercises with allies across Europe and Asia, solidifying the UK's crucial role in NATO and global defence. It will be the largest ever operational deployment of a fifth-Generation air wing component aboard a single aircraft carrier in history.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The first tranche of the Chinook Capability Sustainment programme to deliver 14 new build heavy assault Chinook helicopters remains on course to deliver Initial Operating Capability in May 2029 and Full Operating Capability in October 2030.
Following Ministerial re-approval of the programme in May 2024, production of the simulators has progressed to plan and construction of the first two Chinook H-47 (Extended Range) aircraft has commenced in Philadelphia, with the first aircraft due to be delivered in 2027. Training of UK aircrew instructors in the US is due to commence in August 2025.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The European Common Radar System Mk2 prototype system has completed a successful initial flight test campaign demonstrating maturity in key capability areas. Development of the production standard system remains on track.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme, which is currently in the design phase, remains a priority. The recent acquisition of Harland & Wolff (H&W) by Navantia UK (NUK), following the administration of H&W, has provided greater certainty to the delivery of the FSS programme and protects UK’s shipbuilding capability.
The works to recapitalise the Belfast shipyard have restarted since NUK’s takeover of the four H&W yards in January 2025. This investment will further strengthen UK capability, modernising the shipbuilding facilities in Belfast and leading to increased productivity and capacity.
Design work is progressing well and production of the first FSS ship is expected to begin in 2025, with all three vessels bolstering the Royal Fleet Auxiliary over the coming decade.
Following the administration and takeover of H&W, the Government has worked closely with NUK on the future of the FSS programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary, on commercial terms, to ensure the programme’s continued delivery with the least possible delay. Extensive work is being undertaken to understand the full impact on the programme.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence has robust plans for mobilising and deploying the Armed Forces in response to events and crises, both at home and abroad. The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government Departments, including the Cabinet Office, as well as the owners and operators of civilian national infrastructure, to ensure plans include safeguarding of vital sites and infrastructure.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy continuously monitors UK waters and are ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. Specific detail cannot be confirmed for reasons of safeguarding national security.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy continuously monitors UK waters and are ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. Specific detail cannot be confirmed for reasons of safeguarding national security.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy continuously monitors UK waters and are ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. Specific detail cannot be confirmed for reasons of safeguarding national security.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy continuously monitors UK waters and are ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. Specific detail cannot be confirmed for reasons of safeguarding national security.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy continuously monitors UK waters and are ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. Specific detail cannot be confirmed for reasons of safeguarding national security.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) press, media team is made up of 14 employees. Roles range from grades Higher Executive Officer to Grade six and have salary ranges between £36,530 to £40,150 up to £70,450 to £78,790 This figure is for the MOD Directorate of Defence Communications Press Office and Media personnel only.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Future appointments will be announced in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Secretary of State for Defence continues to discuss missile production capacity with our European Allies on a regular basis. For example, the Secretary of State discussed this with France in Paris on 11 March and at the E5 Defence Ministers meeting on 12 March. Missile production capacity is also a key element of NATO’s Defence Production Action Plan, which we continue to work on with allies to ensure its effective implementation. In addition, the UK continues to discuss NATO Alliance-wide missile production and capacity issues via the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) framework.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
We hold regular discussions with Germany on a range of issues related to equipment and joint programmes. The UK is supportive of the prospective sale of Eurofighter Typhoon to Turkey, as its next fighter platform. We continue to discuss our ongoing bid for Turkey to procure Typhoon with the other Eurofighter Partner Nations, including Germany.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The demonstrator submarine, SWIFTSURE, remains on track to be fully dismantled by the end of 2026. There are six further defueled Pressurised Water Reactor 1 (PWR1) submarines awaiting dismantling in Rosyth.
Further announcements about dismantling the remaining PWR1 submarines will be made at the appropriate time.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There has been no delay to HMS TRENT's refit. She started a capability refit in October 2024, which completed in December 2024. This was followed by a Capability Insertion Period, which is now complete. HMS Trent is currently undergoing planned force generation and machinery trials alongside in Malta, before proceeding to sea in mid-May.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There has been no delay to HMS TRENT's refit. She started a capability refit in October 2024, which completed in December 2024. This was followed by a Capability Insertion Period, which is now complete. HMS Trent is currently undergoing planned force generation and machinery trials alongside in Malta, before proceeding to sea in mid-May.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
£14.2 billion is the difference between the NATO qualifying spend of £66.3 billion in 2024-25 and 2.5% of GDP in financial year 2027-28, which is £80.5 billion based on the OBR's latest growth forecast.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The L110A2 Light Machine Gun remains in limited use by the UK Armed Forces. However, for reasons of operational security I cannot provide any further details on which areas of the UK Armed Forces still use the L110A2, the numbers held and what operations it is used for.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) Projects will enable the Ministry of Defence to contract for Submarine and Naval Base services delivered through Clyde and Devonport in March 2026, and for Ships and wider Naval Base services from October 2028.
The NSIGN Programme continues to progress through the Assessment Phase with the NSIGN (Submarines) Project Outline Business Case (OBC) being approved in April 2025. Work is progressing with the NSIGN(Ships) and NSIGN (Naval Bases) Projects, both of which will be seeking OBC approval in Autumn 2025.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The HC145 HC2 Jupiter is on track to deliver Initial Operating Capability in 2026 to both Brunei and Cyprus.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The programme achieved Acceptance into Service, and declaration of Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in the Land Environment in March 2024. In the last 12 months the programme has released an updated Operational Network (OpNET) capability with significantly enhanced build software. This is currently being deployed across the land environment and will facilitate the withdrawal of legacy systems from the land environment before the end of 2025.
Following installation of OpNET to both Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers, the programme is now focussed on extending this capability across the Rest of the Fleet. During financial year 2024-25 OpNET was installed to RFA TIDEFORCE, HMS SUTHERLAND, and HMS SCOTT. Plans are in place for six further installations during the current financial year.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The programme achieved Acceptance into Service, and declaration of Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in the Land Environment in March 2024. In the last 12 months the programme has released an updated Operational Network (OpNET) capability with significantly enhanced build software. This is currently being deployed across the land environment and will facilitate the withdrawal of legacy systems from the land environment before the end of 2025.
Following installation of OpNET to both Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers, the programme is now focussed on extending this capability across the Rest of the Fleet. During financial year 2024-25 OpNET was installed to RFA TIDEFORCE, HMS SUTHERLAND, and HMS SCOTT. Plans are in place for six further installations during the current financial year.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)