Ministry of Defence

Between 2019 and 2024, the Ministry of Defence's approach to air defence was based on maintaining and developing the UK's layered air defence capabilities, including Typhoon aircraft and Type 45 destroyers, rather than a dedicated Iron Dome or Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) style concept.

Since 2024, the Government has placed greater emphasis on homeland IAMD. The Defence Investment Plan provides a further £790 million for dedicated homeland air and missile defence, focused on strengthening foundational capabilities through enhanced command and control, sensing systems, new radars, counter-drone capabilities and layered responses.

The Department continues to mature these capabilities and engage industry and NATO Allies. Capable and effective air and missile defence for the whole United Kingdom can only be delivered through a layered, NATO-integrated approach, rather than through a single standalone system.

The Department has not incurred any additional costs from the use of higher-blend SAF at RAF Northolt in any financial year since 2022-23. The Department also has no plans to spend on higher-blend SAF or associated infrastructure at RAF Northolt.

No value for money assessment has been undertaken, as the use of higher-blend SAF at RAF Northolt has not resulted in any additional cost to Defence when compared with conventional aviation fuel.

The Ministry of Defence applies established security, classification and information-sharing procedures to data collected from military space assets. Data shared with allies is governed by appropriate agreements and transmitted through secure systems, with access and handling controls proportionate to its sensitivity.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) (published on 2 June 2025) and the National Security Strategy (published on 24 June 2025) were aligned in recognising the importance of transformation through warfighting readiness, a strengthened NATO, innovation by learning the lessons from Ukraine and industrial resilience. This was further developed through the Defence Industrial Strategy (published in September 2025) and the Defence Investment Plan (published in June 2026). An internal Defence plan ensures that Defence transformation aligns with the strategic priorities in the National Security Strategy, and these other documents, to provide central direction to the Department to implement.

Following publication of the National Security Strategy, the Government agreed an implementation framework to monitor progress over the course of this Parliament and across all involved departments. This framework is classified but the Ministry of Defence is fully engaged.

The Ministry of Defence keeps this matter under continual assessment as part of the wider approach to maritime security and the protection of Critical National Infrastructure. The UK works closely with allies and partners to monitor and understand threats to undersea infrastructure and strategically important sea lines of communication.

The Government continues to invest in capabilities to improve our ability to deter, detect and respond to threats in the maritime domain, including up to £330 million of funding to enhance the security and resilience of critical undersea infrastructure.

The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to maritime security in the Middle East and to supporting regional stability alongside our regional partners.

The UK is supporting multinational maritime security efforts in the Red Sea and Gulf regions, working alongside international partners including US-led Combined Maritime Forces.

The UK is also co-leading planning efforts with the French on the Multinational Military Mission that will support safe transit for commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. As part of this, the Royal Navy’s modernisation programme has delivered an autonomous mine countermeasures capability operating in the region, which continues to innovate at pace.

HMS Protector did not deploy to the 2025 to 2026 southern summer season due to undergoing a period of prolonged essential and mandatory maintenance to ensure the viability of the vessel into the future.

HMS Protector was unable to sail to Devonport under her own power due to propulsion defects. She has been towed to Devonport to enable further technical work to determine the most effective future course of action for the ship.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question HL1900 in the House of Lords.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-09/HL1900

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question HL1900 in the House of Lords.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-09/HL1900

The Ministry of Defence continually reviews emerging autonomous and uncrewed technologies from a range of suppliers to inform the development of the Hybrid Navy. Future capability decisions will be taken through established procurement and capability development processes and assessed against operational requirements, value for money and wider Defence priorities.

Airspace in the United Kingdom is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). MOD officials work very closely with the CAA to integrate the airspace requirements for military Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flying in a proportionate manner to ensure the safety of all airspace users. This can include temporary segregated airspace, notified through the NOTAM system or the Aeronautical Information Circular, or permanent segregated airspace, such as Danger Areas, coordinated with civil airspace users through the formal CAP1616 Airspace Change Process.

Defence has already invested in surveillance and counter-drone capabilities and is working to extend Restricted Airspace protections around Defence sites. The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) provides an additional £470 million over four years to enhance site protection and reduce legacy underspending. Plans for investing this allocation from the DIP are still in development and we cannot comment further on the specifics.

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Ministry of Defence intends to invest up to £1.8 billion into the Digital Targeting Web over the next four years.

As part of this funding, £266 million has been allocated for 2026-27; £352 million for 2027-28; and £1213 million for 2028-29 to 2029-30.

The Department is midway through its annual strategic balance of investment process, the Strategic Planning Cycle 2027. As part of this process, the Digital Targeting Web's funding profile between 2027-28 - 2029-30 is currently being refined. It is anticipated that the Digital Targeting Web’s financial profile will be confirmed by the end of the financial year.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 December 2025 to Question 100025, which set out the number of Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) Boxers contracted for by variant. This information remains extant. As the Boxer programme has developed, build configuration and variant have become effectively interchangeable, with all 623 MIV Boxer vehicles being delivered to a common build standard. Consequently, a separate breakdown by build configuration is no longer relevant.

The Department keeps under review its approach to the disclosure of information, taking account of a range of factors. An updated breakdown by role could pose a risk to operational security and, therefore, I am unable to provide this information.

I refer the hon. Member to the response to Question 17420:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-09/17420

Addressing critical skills shortages is key to ensuring the UK defence sector has the workforce required now and in the future. The £182 million Defence Industry Skills package is strengthening the pipeline into defence careers and expanding training in strategically important disciplines, including engineering.

This Government is proud to have invested in skills for the first time as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy. This includes £50 million for five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (DTECs) in England, which will equip students aged 16 and above with the technical skills required for critical defence roles. We also intend to launch two DTECs in Scotland, one in Wales, and we are working with the Northern Ireland Executive on similar skills initiatives as part of the NI Defence Growth Deal.

The Ministry of Defence is taking action to strengthen the UK's defence industrial base through targeted investment in skills, innovation, regional growth and supply chains. Through the Defence Industrial Strategy and Defence Investment Plan, the Ministry of Defence has committed £250 million to five Defence Growth Deals across the UK and £182 million to a defence-industry skills package. In addition, the forthcoming Defence Finance and Investment Strategy will support greater private investment into defence and dual-use businesses.

The Strategic Defence Review put NATO First at the heart of UK defence policy, reflecting the growing threat from Russia and the need for European Allies to take greater responsibility for our collective security. We are therefore prioritising our military contribution where it can have the greatest deterrent effect, while retaining the flexibility to respond to emerging threats.

The Global Integrated Plan is the Department’s mechanism for cohering Defence activity across regions, ensuring military activity is aligned with the Government’s highest priorities. This mechanism regularly reviews our global military footprint against evolving security challenges.

The UK leads NATO’s Forward Land Forces in Estonia, contributes to NATO Air Policing on the Eastern Flank and to maritime security in the Baltic, while increasing our presence and activity in the High North. We continually assess our force posture against the evolving threat and requirement to ensure UK forces remain positioned to deter, defend and respond wherever required.

The Strategic Outline Case for the Strategic Sealift - Future programme is intended to be completed this financial year.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on operational matters as disclosure of such detail could undermine operational and national security.

Since 2010, 33 Royal Navy warships have been taken out of operational service. Of these, 8 have been sold, 15 have been recycled and 10 are pending disposal.

As vessels may be withdrawn from service in one year and sold or scrapped in a later year, these categories are not mutually exclusive, and the figures should not be aggregated.

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, this Government is investing in new frigates, amphibious ships, new submarines and new standardised vessels alongside a new Hybrid Navy of uncrewed and autonomous systems to increase our Navy’s lethality and deterrence.

The Ministry of Defence has a target to deliver £400 million from asset efficiencies over a three year period from 2027-28 to 2029-30.

The Department has carried out a strategic review of its assets to identify opportunities to dispose of surplus assets and submitted these to HMT.

A future requirement for Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS) across UK Royal Air Force Bases has been identified.

As our closest defence and security partner, we engage and collaborate with the US regularly on a range of issues. We know Russia is conducting a campaign of hybrid attacks and sabotage across Europe. The UK does not seek confrontation with Russia, but we will continue to deter and contest activity that threatens Euro-Atlantic security.

The UK stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory, with NATO remaining the cornerstone of the UK's defence and security. This is reflected in our commitment to reach NATO's defence spending target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty makes clear that an armed attack against one NATO Ally is considered an attack against the entire NATO Alliance.

As the third-largest cash spender on defence in NATO, the UK contributes significantly towards the security of NATO's eastern flank, which includes Poland and Lithuania. This is demonstrated through rotational air policing, troop deployments, and joint exercises, including maritime surveillance in the Baltic region. NATO is a defensive alliance and does not seek confrontation with Russia, but Russia should understand that any attack on a NATO ally would be a grave miscalculation.

The UK is taking coordinated action with NATO Allies and other international partners to counter the growing threat from hostile state hybrid activity and increase our collective resilience. The Government has a range of levers available to deter and respond to such activity, including cyber capabilities. Decisions on the use of cyber capabilities are taken through national decision-making arrangements on a case-by-case basis, with any activity conducted in accordance with international law.

The Ministry of Defence continues to invest in sovereign and assured communications capabilities, including through the SKYNET 6 programme and the modernisation of Defence's satellite communications infrastructure.

SKYNET 6 will deliver the next generation of military satellite communications, providing increased capacity, resilience and secure global connectivity. Defence is also exploring emerging technologies to support higher-bandwidth links between satellites and ground infrastructure, alongside allied and commercial capabilities where appropriate.

Detailed information on the technical characteristics and development of military communications capabilities is not routinely disclosed where doing so could prejudice operational security. Defence continues to develop and assess technologies that improve the capacity, resilience and security of communications across the Integrated Force.

This approach will ensure the UK retains the sovereign capability and freedom of action required to meet current and future operational demands.

The Government will establish a new Commons-only Committee to conduct scrutiny of Defence Nuclear Enterprise expenditure and programmes, subject to the approval of the House of Commons. The new Committee will have a tightly focused remit and will consider relevant reports from the National Audit Office.

The Government is working with Parliament to set up the new, non-statutory Committee and in due course will bring forward a motion to establish the Committee under the Standing Orders.

The Government will establish a new Commons-only Committee to conduct scrutiny of Defence Nuclear Enterprise expenditure and programmes, subject to the approval of the House of Commons. The new Committee will have a tightly focused remit and will consider relevant reports from the National Audit Office.

The Government is working with Parliament to set up the new, non-statutory Committee and in due course will bring forward a motion to establish the Committee under the Standing Orders.

The Government accepted all 62 recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review and is delivering them through the Defence Investment Plan, backed by record investment in Defence.

For Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), the Defence Investment Plan invests a further £790 million in dedicated homeland IAMD, focused on improving foundational capabilities through enhanced Command and Control and sensing systems, including new radars and control systems.

The Defence Investment Plan also invests in Deep Precision Strike and long-range weapons capabilities across Defence, including Precision Strike Missiles and other long-range strike capabilities, strengthening the Integrated Force's ability to deter and respond to threats. Work continues within the department to mature the IAMD enterprise to prioritise the work and engagement with industry to deliver these fused requirements.

Defence is also improving the sensing capabilities that underpin Integrated Air and Missile Defence through a layered NATO-integrated approach, drawing on ground-based, airborne, maritime and space-based sensors to improve the ability to detect, assess and respond to threats across the Euro-Atlantic

In addition, Defence continues to improve the sensing capabilities that underpin Integrated Air and Missile Defence, working closely with NATO as part of a layered and integrated approach to the defence of the UK and the Euro-Atlantic.

The UK, through the National Armaments Director, routinely works with NATO Allies, and global partner nations to identify opportunities for co-development and procurement seeking efficiency wherever possible.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 10682.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-06-17/10682

The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of Recommendation 26 of the Strategic Defence Review and is continuing to work with the Department for Education to consider how young people’s understanding of the Armed Forces and their role can be strengthened.

Alongside this work, the Armed Forces continue to engage young people through a range of activities in schools and colleges. These include the Royal Air Force’s virtual work experience programme, Army careers and community engagement, and Royal Navy leadership, teamworking and STEM activities. These programmes provide young people with opportunities to learn about the work of the Armed Forces and the breadth of careers available.

The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of Recommendation 26 of the Strategic Defence Review and is continuing to work with the Department for Education to consider how young people’s understanding of the Armed Forces and their role can be strengthened.

Alongside this work, the Armed Forces continue to engage young people through a range of activities in schools and colleges. These include the Royal Air Force’s virtual work experience programme, Army careers and community engagement, and Royal Navy leadership, teamworking and STEM activities. These programmes provide young people with opportunities to learn about the work of the Armed Forces and the breadth of careers available.

The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of Recommendation 26 of the Strategic Defence Review and is continuing to work with the Department for Education to consider how young people’s understanding of the Armed Forces and their role can be strengthened.

Alongside this work, the Armed Forces continue to engage young people through a range of activities in schools and colleges. These include the Royal Air Force’s virtual work experience programme, Army careers and community engagement, and Royal Navy leadership, teamworking and STEM activities. These programmes provide young people with opportunities to learn about the work of the Armed Forces and the breadth of careers available.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) supports the rapid introduction of new capabilities and the integration of advanced and emerging technologies across the force. Capability choices are being informed by lessons from recent and ongoing conflicts, and via Force Testing activity, with investment focused on delivering a more lethal and digitally enabled Integrated Force, optimised for warfighting in the Euro-Atlantic.

The DIP sets out how the Integrated Force will draw on a more varied mix of equipment and weapons, combining advanced platforms and precision weapons with autonomous technologies and lower-cost, expendable effectors. This approach will increase the mass, lethality and resilience of the Integrated Force, while ensuring that investment remains threat-led, affordable and aligned with NATO requirements.

This Government is putting national security and resilience first as we implement the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy to grow our shipbuilding sector, delivering deterrence and powering innovation.

Our £26 billion investment through Project Royal Oak will deliver the largest programme of upgrades for naval bases and shipyards since the Cold War, demonstrating our commitment to improving infrastructure and facilities to enhance the UK’s resilience.

We also recognise that a resilient shipbuilding industry requires clear demand signals from Government in order to balance investment and workforce planning. That is why we are using the full range of powers available to us through the combined civil and defence shipbuilding pipeline to maximise the demand required to support resilience across industry and the supply chain.

The Government recently announced the first use of the national security exemption contained within the Procurement Act 2023 to procure a new research vessel for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and build it within the UK. This coincided with the announcement that the major project to deliver new submarine docking infrastructure – known as Programme EUSTON – would also be delivered through a UK-only competition.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has an established policy for addressing Intellectual Property (IP), and all MOD projects are expected to set out an IP strategy to ensure that IP is adequately protected, whilst securing maximum impact for our armed forces and value for money for the taxpayer.

With regards to joint international technology development projects, several frameworks are used. The IP conditions are agreed within a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), or a subordinate arrangement thereto with another nation, governing the project.

The most common framework used for joint international technology development projects is laid out in NATO Allied Acquisition Practices Publication (AACP) – specifically AACP-1. These conditions have been pre-agreed amongst NATO members. Where more bespoke conditions are required, these are negotiated between programme participants by the MOD’s IP advisors.

Should an international technology development project be between nations which are not NATO members, the MOD will suggest AACP-1 conditions in the first instance.

Should contracts be placed in furtherance to the MoU or subordinate arrangement, the IP terms contained within these will follow the MOD’s established IP policies.

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme supports sovereign manufacturing capabilities across the UK, mobilising the UK’s aerospace and defence industrial base, drawing on expertise in airframe, propulsion, sensors, weapons, and systems integration. This underpins the UK’s sovereign ability to design, build, operate and sustain advanced Combat Air capability.

The Ministry of Defence is assessing its cryptographic dependencies as part of its continued preparations for transition to post-quantum cryptography.

This assessment remains ongoing in line with wider Government advice and guidance. Necessary replacements will be managed through Defence's post-quantum migration planning and appropriate equipment refresh cycles.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 23250.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-08-28/23250

The Ministry of Defence Police use of drones is governed by the Military Aviation Authority.

Given that one of the hon. Member's constituents currently has ongoing legal proceedings against the Department regarding these matters, it would be inappropriate to provide a response to these questions at this time.

Given that one of the hon. Member's constituents currently has ongoing legal proceedings against the Department regarding these matters, it would be inappropriate to provide a response to these questions at this time.