Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of HM Armed Forces' long-range strike capabilities.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review recommended that the UK should make further investment in conventional deep (long-range) precision strike capabilities to provide the broadest range of options for deterring threats. The Defence Investment Plan delivers on this recommendation through investments to develop deep (long-range) precision strike capabilities to reach strategic targets in ways that are very hard to defeat. Learning the lessons from Ukraine, we are also continuing to alter the balance of expensive complex weapons with emerging cheaper alternatives, such as the next generation of low-cost cruise missiles.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his (a) French and (b) German counterparts on conventional submarine cooperation with Argentina.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Secretary of State and the wider Ministry of Defence regularly engage with our French and German allies on a range of issues. The Ministry of Defence is committed to maintaining a defensive military presence in the South Atlantic to ensure the protection of the Falkland Islands. Our defences in the South Atlantic are robust, consisting of air, land, and maritime forces with a strong permanent presence on the Falkland Islands. I am confident that our military presence is at the appropriate level for the defence of the Islands, and we keep this under constant review.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to ensure the security of military bases.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
We remain highly vigilant to threats against Defence sites and have strengthened security across the estate following the incidents at RAF Fairford and RAF Molesworth. Recent arrests demonstrate that those who seek to compromise the security of Defence sites can expect a robust security and police response. Where criminal offences are suspected, we won't hesitate to use the full range of powers available, including the National Security Act.
The Defence Investment Plan provides an additional £470 million over four years to enhance site protection and reduce legacy underspending. Defence has invested in surveillance and counter-drone capabilities and is working to extend Restricted Airspace protections around Defence sites.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of HMS President's significance as one of the last surviving Royal Navy First World War warships.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Ministry of Defence is no longer the owner of HMS President (formerly HMS Saxifrage) which was sold in the 1980s and as a result cannot directly influence her future.
We do, however, recognise the ship's historic importance and will continue to work with organisations within the maritime heritage sector to ensure HMS President is not forgotten.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to accelerate upgrades to the Devonport nuclear submarine dock.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Obese-Jecty) to question 19170 on the 2 September 2026.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-15/19170
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to speed up the a) development and b) deployment of new mine hunting capabilities for the Royal Navy.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 March 2026 to Question 120373 to the hon. Member for Slough (Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi):
The Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme continues to deliver an advanced suite of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) and SWEEP (the first Sovereign minesweeping capability since 2006) into service within the Royal Navy, enabling frontline mine warfare specialists to enhance operational effectiveness. These cutting-edge autonomous mine-hunting systems are deployed by the Mine and Threat Exploitation Group for evaluation, training, and operational deployment.
The comprehensive scope of the MHC programme encompasses multiple USVs, UUVs, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for identification and neutralisation, and a state-of-the-art, sovereign mine-sweeping capability. Additionally, the programme has delivered HMS STIRLING CASTLE, a dedicated support vessel designed to enhance the deployment and sustainment of autonomous systems.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to adapt laser directed-energy weapons for use on autonomous vehicles.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Recent conflicts in the Middle East have highlighted the growing threat posed by low-cost, massed drone attacks. Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) have the potential to provide a highly effective and cost-effective response to these threats, which is why the Ministry of Defence is investing £490 million over the next four years to bring these capabilities into service. DEW technologies have the potential to operate across a range of operational environments and roles. The Department continues to assess the most effective ways to deploy and integrate directed energy weapons across different environments and platforms to address threats and meet evolving military requirements.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, If he will take steps to increase the speed of upgrades to the Devonport nuclear submarine dock.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Obese-Jecty) to question 19170 (questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-15/19170)
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to increase the speed of the a) development and b) deployment of new autonomous vessels for the Royal Navy.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Yes, we are already doing work on the Type 91-94 and Common Combat Vessel. Further detail will be released as appropriate as these programmes develop.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to defend freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK is committed to international law, the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to freedom of navigation and overflight. We raise the importance of Freedom of Navigation regularly in bilateral and multilateral engagements.
Most recently, HMS TAMAR carried out Freedom of Navigation activity alongside the Royal Australian Navy on 1 September 2026 in the South China Sea.