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.
The inquiry will examine the current and emerging threats in the region. It will ask what the UK’s defence and …
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: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.
Ministry of Defence does not have Bills currently before Parliament
A Bill to establish, and confer functions on, the Armed Forces Commissioner; to abolish the office of Service Complaints Ombudsman; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd September 2025 and was enacted into law.
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).
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.
Fleet Time Support Periods (FTSPs) for Type 45 Destroyers vary in duration depending on the scope of scheduled maintenance, operational commitments, capability insertions and any emergent work identified once the vessel enters the maintenance period.
The Armoured Cavalry Programme's contract has a range of remedies available including but not limited to, step in rights, demand recovery plans, or terminate should its cancellation ever be necessary. While the future of the Merthyr Tydfil factory and future exports is a matter for General Dynamics Land Systems UK, I have frequent engagement with representatives from General Dynamics, the Welsh Government and the local MPs regarding the Ajax platform. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.
Our focus has been, and continues to be, ensuring that AJAX is safe for our soldiers to use. In considering the future of AJAX, several alternative platforms were assessed. I intend to update the House to outline next steps after Easter recess.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to enhancing the UK’s drone manufacturing capacity by investing in research and development, fostering partnerships with industry, and supporting innovation through initiatives. These efforts aim to strengthen the domestic defence industrial base, promote growth and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of cutting-edge drone technology.
The UK will submit its 2027 defence return at the next suitable point. NATO returns are usually required in May each year.
The Ministry of Defence actively seeks and acts upon the feedback from Military Personnel regarding catering services provided by Sodexo.
Military Personnel are able to submit feedback by scanning site QR codes displayed on tables, using digital feedback applications, or through established local engagement channels. Additionally, each catering facility maintains a comments and suggestions book, which is regularly reviewed.
Adoption and integration of new commercial technologies is a collaborative process between the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group and the Armed Forces. The Military Strategic Headquarters, on behalf of Chief of Defence Staff, sets the design of the integrated force and the NAD Group are responsible for planning, resourcing and integrating applicable technology to deliver capability to the Armed Forces to meet the design.
I can confirm that as of 19 March 2026, there are 5,826 platforms in-service in the Land Rover WOLF fleet. This figure includes those in the active fleet and those in or awaiting to commence the disposal process.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 108883 tabled on 4 February 2026.
The total remuneration package for the National Armaments Director (NAD) is in line with the maximum advertised. The base salary for the role is currently £400,000.
In addition, the NAD is also eligible for an annual performance award of up to 60% of base salary. However, as year-end performance has yet to be reviewed no such award has been made. If such an award were made for 2025-26 it would be prorated in light of the NAD having been employed part way through the year.
The NAD’s eligibility for other benefits is the same as for other MOD Civilian SCS4 posts in terms of pension and travel benefits. Values for these will be reported in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts alongside any prorated 2025-26 annual performance award value.
The pace of Defence's 'learn and adapt' cycle has accelerated exponentially as a result of lessons learnt in Ukraine The SDR highlighted the importance of autonomous systems within the UK’s integrated force. Decisions on the UK’s equipment requirements, including drones, electromagnetic warfare and autonomous systems, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.
The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. The plan for implementing the Review’s recommendations for the Integrated Force will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
The UK’s security partnership with Morocco is focused on addressing shared defence and security interests through a programme of bilateral activities, which is developed and agreed on an annual basis. Recent events in the Middle East and North Africa have not altered this approach.
In March 2026, the UK and Ukraine signed an Enhanced Security and Defence Industrial Collaboration Declaration, which will see the UK and Ukraine deepen cooperation in the field of military training and knowledge sharing.
This includes the participation of Ukrainian personnel in allied training activities and the organisation of joint exercises.
We will accelerate cooperation in the exchange of defence-related information and data and integrate lessons learnt from the battlefield into military training and capability planning.
On 12 March, we announced a £50 million investment into the Scotland Defence Growth Deal to boost Scotland’s crucial role in UK defence. We also announced a further £10 million to support the implementation of a Defence Technical Excellence College, in consultation with Colleges Scotland, to increase the number of skilled workers available to Scotland’s defence sector.
The UK's defence relationship with the Republic of Cyprus is multifaceted, underscored by an annual multi-domain bilateral cooperation programme. The activity outlined in this programme continues to increase year-on-year, identifying and exploiting previously unconsidered areas to the benefit of both nations. Evidence of this was the completion of the inaugural UK-Cyprus Industry Day, held at the Cypriot High Commission in December 2025.
The collaboration at the operational level is deep. This has been demonstrated through the coordination of air defence efforts in response to the current situation in the Middle East.
No, the Ministry of Defence has not been invited to hold discussions with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the sovereignty of the Sovereign Base Areas on the island of Cyprus.
As the Hon. Gentleman will probably already know, based on the latest GDP projections, the UK's defence spending is currently forecast to reach 2.6% of GDP in 2027.
The Royal Navy continuously reviews the catering provision provided to Service personnel to ensure this meets the standards expected. Recent initiatives have been introduced to further enhance nutrition, consistency, and customer satisfaction. There are currently no plans for the catering provision provide to shore-based establishments to be delivered by the Catering Services branch.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Under the terms of the announced arrangement with Thales, the UK is expected to take delivery of new Lightweight Multirole Missiles in April, after which they will enter service.
I am withholding this information for reasons of safeguarding operational security.
The Defence Investment Plan will be a Government document and plan, underpinned by the normal and appropriate collective agreement.
The Defence Investment Plan will be a Government document and plan, underpinned by the normal and appropriate collective agreement.
The Defence Investment Plan will be a Government document and plan, underpinned by the normal and appropriate collective agreement.
We do not comment on the detail of such threats for reasons of safeguarding operational security.
The UK remains committed to supporting Bahrain from Iran's indiscriminate attacks in any way we can. Since 12 March 2026, we have provided Defensive Counter Air support, enabled by the deployment of additional Typhoon aircraft to the region. The Ministry of Defence is meeting its obligations under the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). The Chief of the Defence Staff has spoken with his Bahraini and American C-SIPA counterparts and they remain in regular contact as the situation develops.
We have begun the biggest transformation of Armed Forces housing in a generation. The Department is in the early stages of delivering the recommendations of the Defence Housing Strategy and we will publish our implementation plan in due course. The plan is funded by a £9 billion investment plan and will be delivered via a decade of renewal, driven by the new Defence Housing Service.
We have already made rapid improvements by delivering our Consumer Charter commitments which we announced in April 2025 to drive immediate, tangible improvements to accommodation for Service families:
Until the recommendations in the Strategy have final implementation plans for every area of the country, some c47,000 homes, I regret we cannot confirm the future intent for military housing in each constituency.
The table below includes both existing Ministry of Defence (MOD) Civil Servants who commenced an apprenticeship, and those Civil Servants recruited to the MOD as apprentices. It does not include Armed Forces apprenticeships.
Year | Apprentices |
2022 | 700 |
2023 | 802 |
2024 | 1,042 |
2025 | 1,063 |
2026 (to date) | 154 |
Overseas supply of Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) is predominantly available from the USA and Japan, noting that other countries are also looking to develop commercial supply capabilities.
Overall, at the present stage of UK development of industrial capability for CMC manufacture the type and magnitude of exports for defence and civil applications is unknown. Export controls are already in place to protect high performing sovereign CMC materials.
Overseas supply of Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) is predominantly available from the USA and Japan, noting that other countries are also looking to develop commercial supply capabilities.
Overall, at the present stage of UK development of industrial capability for CMC manufacture the type and magnitude of exports for defence and civil applications is unknown. Export controls are already in place to protect high performing sovereign CMC materials.
Overseas supply of Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) is predominantly available from the USA and Japan, noting that other countries are also looking to develop commercial supply capabilities.
Overall, at the present stage of UK development of industrial capability for CMC manufacture the type and magnitude of exports for defence and civil applications is unknown. Export controls are already in place to protect high performing sovereign CMC materials.
The DragonFire programme is being delivered through a new approach to procurement aimed at accelerating delivery timescales and providing the Royal Navy with novel capability sooner. This approach focuses on delivering a minimum deployable capability that can be further developed and enhanced over time.
Based on a successful demonstrator trial, DragonFire was selected for acceleration into service, leading to further trials to inform the design and development of a minimum deployable capability. We are on track to install this capability on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027. Beyond this, spiral development will allow for progressive improvement of the capability.
The DragonFire programme is being delivered through a new approach to procurement aimed at accelerating delivery timescales and providing the Royal Navy with novel capability sooner. This approach focuses on delivering a minimum deployable capability that can be further developed and enhanced over time.
Based on a successful demonstrator trial, DragonFire was selected for acceleration into service, leading to further trials to inform the design and development of a minimum deployable capability. We are on track to install this capability on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027. Beyond this, spiral development will allow for progressive improvement of the capability.
The first Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer, is scheduled to be ready for operations by the end of the decade.
The Type 31 programme is progressing to deliver five capable and versatile new frigates for the Royal Navy. HMS Active, the second ship in the class, floated-off on 21 March 2026 and will now undergo further outfit work before test and commissioning takes place. Steel has also been cut on HMS Bulldog, the fourth vessel in the class.
The Ministry of Defence has had delivery of over 7,900 uncrewed systems since July 2024. 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 and stockpiles, including uncrewed systems platform numbers and types. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Details regarding Defence's munitions stockpile are classified, and it would therefore be inappropriate to provide further commentary.
As part of our commitment under the Strategic Defence Review, we committed £1.5 billion through the Strategic Defence Review to transitioning production of key munitions to an "always on" model and are progressing plans to establish six new munitions and energetics factories in the UK, taking our total munitions spend this parliament to £6 billion. The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with industry, allies, and partners to ensure that munitions stockpiles remain sufficient to meet the demands of current and future operations.
The department is working to finalise the Defence Investment Plan, which we will publish as soon as we can. We need to ensure investment choices are right for both now and the future. It is the first zero-based review of Defence's budgets in eighteen years and goes significantly further than the last Government's Equipment Plan by looking across every budget line, including people and infrastructure.