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.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide an list of engagements where the military had to respond to a legitimate threat to the British Overseas Territories in the last 5 years.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
For operational and security reasons the Ministry of Defence is unable to release this detail.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve the living conditions of barracks for people in the armed forces.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government is committed to improving the living conditions of Service personnel. The Defence Investment Plan includes £1.4 billion over the next four years for Single Living Accommodation, supporting the modernisation of accommodation and improvements to living standards across the Defence estate.
Accommodation improvements are being delivered through a number of programmes, including Defence Estate Optimisation, Future Defence Infrastructure Services and the SLA Framework Alliance, which are now moving into major delivery phases.
Defence launched an independent Single Living Accommodation and Overseas Estate Review in January 2026 to identify further opportunities to improve the lived experience of Service personnel and ensure accommodation better supports capability and retention.
Every two years, the department surveys Service personnel to understand their satisfaction with SLA. Findings from the 2026 survey will be published in August 2026.
Alongside accommodation investment, the Department is continuing to implement the Defence Catering Strategy to improve food quality, dining facilities and the overall experience of personnel living and working on the Defence estate.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the number of new cadets joining military cadet forces in 2026.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
The Government fully recognises the benefits of cadets. Participation in the Cadet Forces has significant positive impacts on young people, increasing their performance at school, and improving their employment and career prospects.
The Strategic Defence Review recommended an expansion of in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the UK of 30% by 2030. This timeline has recently been re-set in the Defence Investment Plan to 2035 as one of the measures required to increase the rate of Armed Forces transformation. Nevertheless, we are continuing to invest to expand and modernise the Cadet Forces and improve opportunities for young people across the UK.
Work is currently underway to determine how the 30% increase in cadet numbers - which equates to an additional 40,000 cadets - will be delivered. We have been undertaking a detailed assessment of the enablers required to support expansion. This is a key element in setting the foundations for sustainable growth.
We are also developing a new Cadets Action Plan which will focus on modernising the cadet experience, providing an attractive offer to retain and recruit adult volunteers, and ensuring that our cadets and volunteers have the right resources and support.
In addition, the first National Cadets Week will be held in October 2026 to celebrate and raise the profile of the Cadet Forces, one of the country's most effective youth organisations. This will showcase the MOD Cadet Forces and give thousands of young people across the country the opportunity to discover the benefits of the cadet experience.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to mark Armed Forces Week.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
Armed Forces Day (AFD) is an annual opportunity for the nation to show support for the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, Service families, veterans and cadets. Traditionally held on the last Saturday in June, AFD fell this year on Saturday 27 June. More than 250 events were planned across the UK, and the National Event was hosted in Aldershot by Rushmoor Borough Council. MOD supported AFD event organisers through the AFD Grant Scheme, which provided eligible events with grants of up to £10,000. For 2026, MOD supported 130 events across the UK with £430,000 of grant funding.
In the run-up to AFD itself, a series of events were held to build momentum and raise awareness. The programme began with AFD Northern Ireland, traditionally held on the preceding Saturday, this year on Saturday 20 June 2026 . As the only AFD event in Northern Ireland, it enabled maximum participation from supporting military units and allowed an event comparable in scale to the National Event. This year’s event was held in Coleraine, hosted by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Mayor Dawn Huggins. More than 20,000 visitors attended and enjoyed displays including the RAF Falcons parachute display team, a Dakota flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), and military assets such as Challenger 2, Warrior and Foxhound vehicles, alongside a gun salute.
On Monday 22 June 2026, AFD Flag Raising ceremonies took place across the UK, enabling the public, various institutions and local authorities to demonstrate their support for the Armed Forces community. A highlight was the ceremony held at the Palace of Westminster, hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons and attended by the Defence Secretary, the Minister for the Armed Forces, the Minister for Veterans and People and the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS).
Wednesday 24 June 2026 was Reserves Day, recognising the valuable contribution Reservists make to the Armed Forces. Reservists were encouraged to wear their uniforms in their civilian workplace to highlight their service. A reception was hosted by the Prime Minister at No.10 Downing Street for MOD Civil Servants who serve also as Reservists.
On Saturday 27 June 2026, more than 230 AFD events took place across the UK in appreciation of the Armed Forces community. These ranged from small tea-party-style gatherings to large-scale events attracting more than 10,000 visitors, enabling communities nationwide to both recognise and thank the Armed Forces.
The national focus for AFD was Aldershot, where Rushmoor Borough Council hosted this year’s Armed Forces Day National Event (AFDNE). As Defence’s flagship AFD event, AFDNE provided a national platform to recognise serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets and their families. It was a major, multi-agency event involving the MOD, local authorities, blue-light responders, and tri-Service Defence capability. It supported the Strategic Defence Review’s aim of renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve. More than 15,000 visitors attended, viewing military stands and assets including an A400M, a BBMF Dakota flypast, Chinook and Apache AH-64 helicopters, and a military parade featuring serving personnel, cadets and veterans.
AFD and the events that led up to it provided the ideal platform to enable the nation to further understand, engage with, and celebrate the work of our Armed Forces community.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to fund the Type 83 Destroyer programme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan sets out the Royal Navy’s (RN) approach to delivering the UK’s most advanced maritime air defence capability and the rationale for this approach. Rather than delivering this capability through a small number of large and expensive Type 83 destroyers, the RN will instead invest in a hybrid mix of crewed and uncrewed capabilities that will be more suited to facing the threats of modern warfare. The RN will procure at least six Common Combat Vessels (CCV) which will act as a control hub for uncrewed systems, thus extending the Navy’s reach, resilience and lethality.