Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s 23 May 2025 consultation response that reducing preventative burns of vegetation may pose a risk to life.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Policy officials and I met with representatives from the National Fire Chiefs Council (the NFCC) and Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) in June 2025, to discuss concerns raised in their consultation response. The officials present were those responsible for the heather and grass burning licensing scheme.

Due to an administrative error no minutes were taken of the meeting.

In developing the amendments to The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021, the Department considered the NFCC's consultation response as well as all the other responses to the public consultation, evidence on the impacts of vegetation management on peatlands and direct engagement with NFCC and FRS.

The Department continues to work to ensure that licencing arrangements support effective wildfire mitigation and that applications where there is an evidenced need for burning can be processed as quickly as possible. FRS also remain a key consultee for licence applications to reduce the impact of wildfire.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason were no minutes taken at her Department’s meeting with the National Fire Chiefs Council on 26 June 2025.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Policy officials and I met with representatives from the National Fire Chiefs Council (the NFCC) and Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) in June 2025, to discuss concerns raised in their consultation response. The officials present were those responsible for the heather and grass burning licensing scheme.

Due to an administrative error no minutes were taken of the meeting.

In developing the amendments to The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021, the Department considered the NFCC's consultation response as well as all the other responses to the public consultation, evidence on the impacts of vegetation management on peatlands and direct engagement with NFCC and FRS.

The Department continues to work to ensure that licencing arrangements support effective wildfire mitigation and that applications where there is an evidenced need for burning can be processed as quickly as possible. FRS also remain a key consultee for licence applications to reduce the impact of wildfire.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who from her Department met with the National Fire Chiefs Council on 26 June 2025.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Policy officials and I met with representatives from the National Fire Chiefs Council (the NFCC) and Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) in June 2025, to discuss concerns raised in their consultation response. The officials present were those responsible for the heather and grass burning licensing scheme.

Due to an administrative error no minutes were taken of the meeting.

In developing the amendments to The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021, the Department considered the NFCC's consultation response as well as all the other responses to the public consultation, evidence on the impacts of vegetation management on peatlands and direct engagement with NFCC and FRS.

The Department continues to work to ensure that licencing arrangements support effective wildfire mitigation and that applications where there is an evidenced need for burning can be processed as quickly as possible. FRS also remain a key consultee for licence applications to reduce the impact of wildfire.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Recommendation 57 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether the sprint review of system-wide capacity of the MOD and DHSC has begun or concluded.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

There is ongoing work between Ministry of Defence (MOD), Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the NHS to review system-wide capacity and shape and plan the UK’s approach to respond collectively as health services to meet the demands of warfighting.

The latest in a series of workshops involving MOD, DHSC and UK health services, was hosted by NHS England in February 2026 focused on the role of the NHS in major conflict, including the potential clinical challenge to health services of modern conflict and how UK health services work collectively to respond to the challenge of conflict at scale. The Strategic Defence Review recommendations and the creation of integrated crisis plans will continue to be progressed as part of the ongoing engagement between the MOD, DHSC and the NHS.

Further, the work with allies through the NATO Medical Action Plan is addressing priority challenges in workforce; mass casualty planning; patient evacuation; and medical logistics. We will look to address legislative and regulatory barriers to effective care.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 106312 on Defence: Expenditure, when he plans to write to the hon. Member for South Suffolk.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The response is in the process of being finalised and will be provided shortly.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of zero tariffs being applied to pharmaceuticals exports from the UK into the United States on NHS spending on medicines.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We have reached a landmark agreement with the United States of America, which means, unlike anywhere else in the world, life sciences companies exporting medicines from the United Kingdom to the US will face no tariffs to do so, protecting jobs and investment in the UK. This gives the UK a competitive advantage when selling to the global market, and the changes we’re making to increase what we spend on medicines will therefore help UK companies to export to the US, and shores up the investments global players have made in the UK, whilst also attracting further investments.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of zero tariffs on pharmaceuticals exports from the UK to the US on the South Suffolk constituency.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of zero tariffs being applied to pharmaceuticals exports from the UK into the US on National Health Service spending on medicines. The overall US agreement is expected to cost approximately £1 billion over the course of the Spending Review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of zero tariffs on pharmaceuticals exports from the UK to the US on South Suffolk constituency.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We have reached a landmark agreement with the United States of America, which means, unlike anywhere else in the world, life sciences companies exporting medicines from the United Kingdom to the US will face no tariffs to do so, protecting jobs and investment in the UK. This gives the UK a competitive advantage when selling to the global market, and the changes we’re making to increase what we spend on medicines will therefore help UK companies to export to the US, and shores up the investments global players have made in the UK, whilst also attracting further investments.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of zero tariffs on pharmaceuticals exports from the UK to the US on the South Suffolk constituency.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of zero tariffs being applied to pharmaceuticals exports from the UK into the US on National Health Service spending on medicines. The overall US agreement is expected to cost approximately £1 billion over the course of the Spending Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK service personnel are permanently stationed at the British Army Training Unit Suffield.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As at October 2025 (latest figures available), the numbers of service personnel currently stationed at British Army Training Unit Suffield are below:

Number of UK Regular¹ Armed Forces Service Personnel Stationed² at BATUS³, Suffield, Canada as at 1 October 25

Notes

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non-Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.

2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.
3. BATUS has been derived from the Location Units CANADA - ALBERTA - SUFFIELD and SUFFIELD (BATUS) from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).

Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2026 to Question 110439 on Defence: Expenditure, if he will provide an itemised breakdown of the expenditure that forms the UK's NATO declared defence spending which falls outside of the Ministry of Defence budget.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

All of the UK's declared defence spending is rigorously scrutinised to ensure it meets the definition set out by NATO.

In line with other NATO Allies, the full range of what the UK includes as defence spending is not publicised.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many live firing exercises have taken place at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in each of the 10 previous financial years.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

There are no active training villages on the British Army Training Unit Suffield Training Area. There were also none in use on 5 July 2024.

Please see the table below, which confirms how many live firing exercises have taken place at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in each of the previous 10 financial years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many usable training villages at the British Army Training Unit Suffield Training Area there (a) are and (b) were on 5 July 2024.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

There are no active training villages on the British Army Training Unit Suffield Training Area. There were also none in use on 5 July 2024.

Please see the table below, which confirms how many live firing exercises have taken place at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in each of the previous 10 financial years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many training villages are active on the British Army Training Unit Suffield Training Area.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

There are no active training villages on the British Army Training Unit Suffield Training Area. There were also none in use on 5 July 2024.

Please see the table below, which confirms how many live firing exercises have taken place at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in each of the previous 10 financial years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February to Question 110439 on Defence: Expenditure, from which Department's budget the 0.47% of GDP spend not included in the table will come from.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In line with NATO guidance, the UK has consistently counted spend across Government towards defence spending, provided it meets the definition.

Which additional Departments this will be from will be set out as part of the UK's return for 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, whether he has held discussions with his international counterparts on the length of the deployment of UK service personnel operating as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As detailed planning continues, we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, due to operational reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, whether plans are in place for the subsequent withdrawal of UK service personnel deployed as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As detailed planning continues, we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, due to operational reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, whether the deployment of UK service personnel as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine would occur under any form of ceasefire.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As detailed planning continues, we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, due to operational reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Navy plans to conduct an Ice Exercise in the current Parliament.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Royal Navy (RN) has maintained an under‑ice capability centred on the Submarine Service through Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines and is certifying the new Astute Class to uphold this capability.

HMS Trenchant conducted the last Ice Exercise in 2018. It is the longstanding policy of this Department not to comment on future submarine operations.

The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the High North and Arctic as an increasing area of competition for the UK, and the Defence Investment Plan is considering a range of options to meet this threat.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Royal Navy's operating capability under ice.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Royal Navy (RN) has maintained an under‑ice capability centred on the Submarine Service through Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines and is certifying the new Astute Class to uphold this capability.

HMS Trenchant conducted the last Ice Exercise in 2018. It is the longstanding policy of this Department not to comment on future submarine operations.

The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the High North and Arctic as an increasing area of competition for the UK, and the Defence Investment Plan is considering a range of options to meet this threat.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase funding for the Royal Navy's capability under ice.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Royal Navy (RN) has maintained an under‑ice capability centred on the Submarine Service through Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines and is certifying the new Astute Class to uphold this capability.

HMS Trenchant conducted the last Ice Exercise in 2018. It is the longstanding policy of this Department not to comment on future submarine operations.

The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the High North and Arctic as an increasing area of competition for the UK, and the Defence Investment Plan is considering a range of options to meet this threat.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when was the Royal Navy's last Ice Exercise.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Royal Navy (RN) has maintained an under‑ice capability centred on the Submarine Service through Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines and is certifying the new Astute Class to uphold this capability.

HMS Trenchant conducted the last Ice Exercise in 2018. It is the longstanding policy of this Department not to comment on future submarine operations.

The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the High North and Arctic as an increasing area of competition for the UK, and the Defence Investment Plan is considering a range of options to meet this threat.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what under ice capabilities are in service with the Royal Navy.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Royal Navy (RN) has maintained an under‑ice capability centred on the Submarine Service through Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines and is certifying the new Astute Class to uphold this capability.

HMS Trenchant conducted the last Ice Exercise in 2018. It is the longstanding policy of this Department not to comment on future submarine operations.

The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the High North and Arctic as an increasing area of competition for the UK, and the Defence Investment Plan is considering a range of options to meet this threat.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, what his proposed timeline is for the deployment of UK service personnel to Ukraine as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine once a ceasefire has been agreed.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As detailed planning continues, we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, due to operational reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, what proportion of UK service personnel deployed as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine will be in (a) logistics, (b) training, (c) surveillance and (d) peacekeeping roles.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As detailed planning continues, we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, due to operational reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Multinational Force Ukraine on UK capability.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As detailed planning continues, we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, due to operational reasons.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how he plans to support people using heating oil as the primary means to heat their homes.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that many households, particularly in rural and off‑gas‑grid areas, rely on heating oil as their primary source of heat. We continue to monitor heating‑oil supply chains ensuring households can access fuel when needed. Households using heating oil benefit from wider cost‑of‑living support, including electricity bill reductions announced in the Autumn Budget, and the Warm Home Discount, which provides eligible households with £150 off energy bills until 2030/31. Through the Warm Homes Plan, households can access Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants, and the Government has consulted on alternative low‑carbon options for properties where heat pumps may not be suitable.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK plans to make a formal application to join the second round of the EU SAFE fund.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

UK negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument concluded last year. The UK entered negotiations in good faith, recognising our mutual strategic interest and commitment to work with the EU on defence. However, this Government has always been clear that we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest. The UK’s defence industry continues to have access to SAFE under standard third country terms with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts.

This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union and the Member States on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with his Mauritian counterpart on Article 298 of UNCLOS and Diego Garcia.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

No, he has not.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with EU representatives on whether the second round of the EU SAFE fund has closed for applications.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

UK negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument concluded last year. The UK entered negotiations in good faith, recognising our mutual strategic interest and commitment to work with the EU on defence. However, this Government has always been clear that we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest. The UK’s defence industry continues to have access to SAFE under standard third country terms with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts.

This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union and the Member States on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with EU representatives on whether the second round of the EU SAFE fund has begun.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

UK negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument concluded last year. The UK entered negotiations in good faith, recognising our mutual strategic interest and commitment to work with the EU on defence. However, this Government has always been clear that we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest. The UK’s defence industry continues to have access to SAFE under standard third country terms with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts.

This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union and the Member States on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussed UK participation in the EU SAFE fund with EU counterparts since 1 February 2026.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

UK negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument concluded last year. The UK entered negotiations in good faith, recognising our mutual strategic interest and commitment to work with the EU on defence. However, this Government has always been clear that we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest. The UK’s defence industry continues to have access to SAFE under standard third country terms with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts.

This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union and the Member States on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his statement of 22 May 2025 on Diego Garcia Military Base, Official Report, column 1284, if he will list the legal threats that currently threaten the security of the Diego Garcia military base.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We have always been clear that, if a long-term deal was not reached, there was a risk of further litigation being brought rapidly which could have had serious implications for the operation of the military base on Diego Garcia.

There are various avenues through which Mauritius could pursue a legally binding ruling, including under dispute provisions of treaties to which both States are parties or further arbitral proceedings against the UK under Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ("UNCLOS"). A ruling from such an arbitral tribunal would be legally binding on the parties to it.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his statement of 22 May 2025 on Diego Garcia Military Base, Official Report, Column 1284, what the potential legal rulings are that he referred to.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We have always been clear that, if a long-term deal was not reached, there was a risk of further litigation being brought rapidly which could have had serious implications for the operation of the military base on Diego Garcia.

There are various avenues through which Mauritius could pursue a legally binding ruling, including under dispute provisions of treaties to which both States are parties or further arbitral proceedings against the UK under Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ("UNCLOS"). A ruling from such an arbitral tribunal would be legally binding on the parties to it.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104835 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98517 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104518 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98516 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January to Question 104836 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98518 tabled on 9 December 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104517 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98515 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104516 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98514 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104515 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98512 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the next round of Access for All funding will open.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Funding for future rounds of the Access for All (AfA) programme may be made available as part of the next Spending Review and this could provide an opportunity to fully or partially fund accessibility upgrades at stations. The process and timings for identifying future AfA projects have not yet been decided, although we have committed to reforming the AfA programme as we move towards the establishment of Great British Railways.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department expects to spend on the (a) Future Combat Air System and (b) Global Combat Air Programme in the current financial year.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The current Financial Year (FY) is ongoing therefore, figures will be finalised within the Departmental Accounts once FY2025-26 has concluded.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, when will the testing phase of the Low-Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms initiative begin.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

UK trials for the low-cost air defence effector under the LEAP initiative are currently planned for Autumn 2026; however, this is dependent on engagement with industry and the maturity of the solutions offered. This will be followed by multilateral trials with our European partners in 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether copies of the proposed Defence Investment Plan Bill will be available on the day it is presented to Parliament.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Major Government documents are usually published when they are presented to Parliament or shortly thereafter, with materials typically made available online and placed in the House of Commons Library unless sensitivity prevents this. Copies will be laid in parliament as appropriate.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been spent on delivering the Global Combat Air Programme as of 25 February 2026.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Since its inception, the UK has invested over £2 billion already in Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme (FCAS/GCAP). This includes the associated Team Tempest research and development programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to protect (a) service personnel and (b) their families at RAF Akrotiri since 1 March 2026.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

We are providing non‑essential personnel and their families with supported temporary accommodation elsewhere on the island of Cyprus. For essential personnel who remain on site, our force protection measures are maintained at the highest level. Throughout January and February, we were moving defensive assets to Cyprus and Qatar such as fighter jets, air defence missiles, advanced radar, and systems to take down drones.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the security in place at RAF Akrotiri.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

We put in place significant defensive measures between January and February including F35 and Typhoon aircraft, additional radar systems and counter-drone systems.

In light of the increasingly indiscriminate and reckless Iranian attacks we are moving quickly to further reinforce our defensive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes the deployment of HMS Dragon as well as Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet missiles to counter the threat from drones.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the use of the (a) Diego Garcia and (b) RAF Fairford military bases since 28 February 2026.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The US is the UK’s principal defence and security partner. The Secretary of State and his officials are in regular contact with US counterparts on a range of topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our two nations.

As announced by the Prime Minister on 1 March, the Government agreed to a US request to use British bases for specific and limited defensive purposes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, whether his Department will procure the new surface-to-air missile.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. Once that initial phase of work has been completed, a decision will be taken on whether to progress to procurement.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any officials from his Department held discussions with Global Counsel regarding procurement contracts between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Defence officials discuss Armed Forces capabilities as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy and is focused on preserving sovereign capabilities which supports jobs and economic growth across the United Kingdom.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Hypersonic missiles development accelerated by new contract, published on 13 February 2026, whether he has a target date for the hypersonic missile being in service.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Through innovative procurement practices and rapid commercial mechanisms that harness the breadth of the UK's industrial and academic supply chain, the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Hypersonics programme intends to deliver a weapon demonstrator by 2030. With a mandate to "do differently", the programme deviates from traditional (CADMID) procurement sequencing and adopts early technology maturation, prototyping and system testing, This agile, spiral development approach aligned with Defence Industrial Strategy maintains MOD's existing gated approvals process. The programme is at the early Strategic Outline Case; the overall costs for the capability will mature, as will the in-service delivery date.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Hypersonic missiles development accelerated by new contract, published on 13 February 2026, what the estimated cost is of delivering the hypersonic missile programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Through innovative procurement practices and rapid commercial mechanisms that harness the breadth of the UK's industrial and academic supply chain, the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Hypersonics programme intends to deliver a weapon demonstrator by 2030. With a mandate to "do differently", the programme deviates from traditional (CADMID) procurement sequencing and adopts early technology maturation, prototyping and system testing, This agile, spiral development approach aligned with Defence Industrial Strategy maintains MOD's existing gated approvals process. The programme is at the early Strategic Outline Case; the overall costs for the capability will mature, as will the in-service delivery date.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Hypersonic missiles development accelerated by new contract, published on 13 February 2026, whether he plans to procure a hypersonic missile in this Parliament.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Through innovative procurement practices and rapid commercial mechanisms that harness the breadth of the UK's industrial and academic supply chain, the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Hypersonics programme intends to deliver a weapon demonstrator by 2030. With a mandate to "do differently", the programme deviates from traditional (CADMID) procurement sequencing and adopts early technology maturation, prototyping and system testing, This agile, spiral development approach aligned with Defence Industrial Strategy maintains MOD's existing gated approvals process. The programme is at the early Strategic Outline Case; the overall costs for the capability will mature, as will the in-service delivery date.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide information on the (a) number and (b) type of cold weather clothing in use with the Royal Air Force in the (i) current financial year and (ii) in each of the last 10 financial years.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

All personnel are provided with appropriate clothing and personal equipment during pre-deployment preparation.

However, information regarding the amount and type of cold weather clothing is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase the number of generators in use with the Royal Air Force in each remaining year of the current Parliament.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Air Force currently has no plans to increase the number of generators in use. Any that are unserviceable or require updating will be replaced as necessary.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many generators are in use with the Royal Air Force in (a) 2025-2026 financial year and (b) in each of the last 10 financial years.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK service personnel have been stationed at the British Army Training Unit Kenya in a (a) permanent and (b) temporary capacity in each of the last 10 financial years.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As at October 2025 (latest available figure) there were 200 UK Regular¹ Armed Forces Service personnel permanently stationed² at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK³).

Notes/Caveats

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.
2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.
3. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Table 1. Number of UK Regular¹ Armed Forces Service Personnel stationed² at BATUK³ 2016 – 2025.

Source: Analysis(Tri Service)

Notes/Caveats

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.
2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.
3. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Table 2. Number of unique UK Armed Forces Service Personnel³ Deployed² to BATUK⁷ in each of the last 10 Financial Years^5,6,8

Source: Analysis (Tri Service)

Notes/Caveats

1. Deployment data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) `Move and Track` system. Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, figures provided are provisional and subject to change. Figures have been derived from the October 2025 deployment extract.
2. Deployment data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) `Move and Track` system. Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, figures provided are provisional and subject to change. Figures have been derived from the October 2025 deployment extract.
3. ‘UK Forces Service Personnel’ comprises UK Regular Forces, Gurkhas, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Volunteer Reserve, Serving Regular Reserve, Sponsored Reserve, and Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS).
4. Service personnel data is derived from the JPA system, which is a combination of mandatory and non-mandatory fields populated by unit administrators and voluntary fields that Armed Forces personnel can choose to complete based on their perceptions.
5. The Date of Deployment is the 'deployed date in' as recorded on JPA 'Move and Track' system. This is the date personnel deployed into the respective count.
6. Please note: the total does not include repeat tours within the same calendar year so each individual is only recorded once per financial year. If personnel began a deployment in multiple financial years, then they would be reported in each financial year they were deployed in. Hence, figures can not be combined to give an overall number of unique personnel deployed over this whole period.
7. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
8. The Financial Year for Defence Statistics purposes starts on 1 April and ends on 31 March.
9. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK service personnel are permanently stationed at the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As at October 2025 (latest available figure) there were 200 UK Regular¹ Armed Forces Service personnel permanently stationed² at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK³).

Notes/Caveats

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.
2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.
3. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Table 1. Number of UK Regular¹ Armed Forces Service Personnel stationed² at BATUK³ 2016 – 2025.

Source: Analysis(Tri Service)

Notes/Caveats

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.
2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.
3. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Table 2. Number of unique UK Armed Forces Service Personnel³ Deployed² to BATUK⁷ in each of the last 10 Financial Years^5,6,8

Source: Analysis (Tri Service)

Notes/Caveats

1. Deployment data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) `Move and Track` system. Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, figures provided are provisional and subject to change. Figures have been derived from the October 2025 deployment extract.
2. Deployment data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) `Move and Track` system. Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, figures provided are provisional and subject to change. Figures have been derived from the October 2025 deployment extract.
3. ‘UK Forces Service Personnel’ comprises UK Regular Forces, Gurkhas, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Volunteer Reserve, Serving Regular Reserve, Sponsored Reserve, and Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS).
4. Service personnel data is derived from the JPA system, which is a combination of mandatory and non-mandatory fields populated by unit administrators and voluntary fields that Armed Forces personnel can choose to complete based on their perceptions.
5. The Date of Deployment is the 'deployed date in' as recorded on JPA 'Move and Track' system. This is the date personnel deployed into the respective count.
6. Please note: the total does not include repeat tours within the same calendar year so each individual is only recorded once per financial year. If personnel began a deployment in multiple financial years, then they would be reported in each financial year they were deployed in. Hence, figures can not be combined to give an overall number of unique personnel deployed over this whole period.
7. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
8. The Financial Year for Defence Statistics purposes starts on 1 April and ends on 31 March.
9. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many live firing exercises have taken place at the British Army Training Unit Kenya in each of the last 10 financial years.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The number of live firing exercises, by financial year (FY), are below:

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to reduce the quantity of military equipment used at the British Army Training Unit Kenya in this Parliament.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Army continually reviews equipment allocations to ensure training needs are met. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations, including the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the military equipment currently stationed at the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Army continually reviews equipment allocations to ensure training needs are met. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations, including the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any changes have been made to the job specifications for the Armed Forces Commissioner since 1 January 2026.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

No changes have been made to the job specification for the Armed Forces Commissioner.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) he and (b) any of his ministerial colleagues have met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius since (i) 5 July 2024 and (ii) August 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Neither the Secretary of State nor any other Defence Ministers met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius between 5 July 2024 and August 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many draft versions of the Defence Investment Plan have been produced by his Department.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We are working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase the provision of cold weather clothing for the Royal Air Force in each remaining year of the current Parliament.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We will equip Royal Air Force personnel with the cold weather clothing required to work in cold conditions on exercise or in conflict.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussed his Government's Chagos Islands Treaty with his United States counterpart since 18 February 2026.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Secretary of State for Defence speaks regularly with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on a wide range of issues, including Diego Garcia.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times has (a) he and (b) his ministerial team met with the lead reviewers of the Strategic Defence Review since 2 June 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government endorsed the Review's vision and accepted all 62 recommendations.

Although they have no formal role, we often engage with the lead reviewers.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department plans to spend with SMEs in (a) 2026 and (b) 2027.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence is an engine for growth, and small businesses are the backbone of UK defence, bringing the innovation, agility and fresh thinking that our Armed Forces need to stay ahead of evolving threats.

As announced by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State of Defence last year, this Government is committed to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including an ambitious but achievable target to increase our spend with SMEs by £2.5 billion by 2028. The department's forthcoming SME Action Plan will lay out what steps we will be taking during 2026 and 2027 to achieve this uplift by 2028.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his proposed timeline is for publishing a terms of reference for the Defence Investment Plan.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) is the next step in turning the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) into action. 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.

We will publish it as soon as we can, but our aim is to ensure decisions in the DIP are robust and support the development of both current and future capabilities, helping to drive the transformation of our Armed Forces described in the Strategic Defence Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, whether he has a target number for the number of UK companies that will be involved in the (a) Low-Cost Effectors & Platforms initiative and (b) new surface-to-air missile.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare and company involvement will be dependent on the chosen solutions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, how many UK companies will be involved in the Low-Cost Effectors & Platforms initiative.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare and company involvement will be dependent on the chosen solutions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, how many UK companies will be involved in the manufacture of the new surface-to-air weapon.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare and company involvement will be dependent on the chosen solutions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, what is the estimated total cost to the UK of delivering the new surface-to-air weapon.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. The total cost to the UK of delivering the new surface-to-air weapon system will be dependent on the chosen solution and quantities procured.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many live firing exercises have taken place at the Land Regional Hub Oman in each of the last ten financial years.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Land Regional Hub Oman has transitioned into the Global Hub Oman (GHO) providing Land, Sea and Air capabilities. The Land Training Area: Ras Madrakah Training Area, is part of GHO’s capabilities. The following table provides the number of live firing exercises conducted on Ras Madrakah Training Area, in each of the last 10 financial years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to reduce the quantity of military equipment used at the Land Regional Hub Germany in any of the remaining years of the current Parliament.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Army continually reviews equipment allocations to ensure training needs are met. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations, including the Land Regional Hub Germany.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what military equipment is stationed at the Land Regional Hub Oman.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Land Regional Hub Oman has transitioned into the Global Hub Oman (GHO) providing Land, Sea and Air capabilities. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK service personnel have been stationed at the Land Regional Hub Germany in each of the last 10 financial years in a (a) permanent and (b) temporary capacity.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

All of the data provided in this response is as at 31 October 2025 as this is the latest data available.

There are currently 310 Regular Service personnel stationed at the ‘Land Regional Hub’ in Germany.

The numbers of Regular service personnel stationed permanently at the ‘Land Regional Hub’ in Germany in each of the last 10 financial years is provided in the table below:

The numbers of service personnel deployed temporarily at the ‘Land Regional Hub’ in Germany in each of the last 10 financial years is provided in the table below:

Notes

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.

2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.

3. 'Land Regional Hub' Germany has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA). Land Regional Hub has been defined as sites in Germany administered by the UK. This primarily includes sites in Paderborn and Moenchengladbach.

4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

5. [c] - less than 5

6. Deployment data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) `Move and Track` system. Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, figures provided are provisional and subject to change. Figures have been derived from the January 2026 deployment extract.

7. Deployed personnel are Military personnel who are deployed on Operations. The Move and Track database records all personnel who enter a deployment theatre for over 24hrs. Each individual has a new record for each change in deployed unit, location, operation or date.

8. ‘UK Forces Service Personnel’ comprises UK Regular Forces, Gurkhas, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Volunteer Reserve, Serving Regular Reserve, Sponsored Reserve, and Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS).

9. Service personnel data is derived from the JPA system, which is a combination of mandatory and non-mandatory fields populated by unit administrators and voluntary fields that Armed Forces personnel can choose to complete based on their perceptions.

1. The Date of Deployment is the 'deployed date in' as recorded on JPA 'Move and Track' system. This is the date personnel deployed into the respective count.

1. Please note: the total does not include repeat tours within the same calendar year so each individual is only recorded once per financial year. If personnel began a deployment in multiple financial years, then they would be reported in each financial year they were deployed in. Hence, figures can not be combined to give an overall number of unique personnel deployed over this whole period.

2. The Financial Year for Defence Statistics purposes starts on 1 April and ends on 31 March.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK service personnel are permanently stationed at the Land Regional Hub Germany.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

All of the data provided in this response is as at 31 October 2025 as this is the latest data available.

There are currently 310 Regular Service personnel stationed at the ‘Land Regional Hub’ in Germany.

The numbers of Regular service personnel stationed permanently at the ‘Land Regional Hub’ in Germany in each of the last 10 financial years is provided in the table below:

The numbers of service personnel deployed temporarily at the ‘Land Regional Hub’ in Germany in each of the last 10 financial years is provided in the table below:

Notes

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.

2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.

3. 'Land Regional Hub' Germany has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA). Land Regional Hub has been defined as sites in Germany administered by the UK. This primarily includes sites in Paderborn and Moenchengladbach.

4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

5. [c] - less than 5

6. Deployment data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) `Move and Track` system. Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, figures provided are provisional and subject to change. Figures have been derived from the January 2026 deployment extract.

7. Deployed personnel are Military personnel who are deployed on Operations. The Move and Track database records all personnel who enter a deployment theatre for over 24hrs. Each individual has a new record for each change in deployed unit, location, operation or date.

8. ‘UK Forces Service Personnel’ comprises UK Regular Forces, Gurkhas, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Volunteer Reserve, Serving Regular Reserve, Sponsored Reserve, and Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS).

9. Service personnel data is derived from the JPA system, which is a combination of mandatory and non-mandatory fields populated by unit administrators and voluntary fields that Armed Forces personnel can choose to complete based on their perceptions.

1. The Date of Deployment is the 'deployed date in' as recorded on JPA 'Move and Track' system. This is the date personnel deployed into the respective count.

1. Please note: the total does not include repeat tours within the same calendar year so each individual is only recorded once per financial year. If personnel began a deployment in multiple financial years, then they would be reported in each financial year they were deployed in. Hence, figures can not be combined to give an overall number of unique personnel deployed over this whole period.

2. The Financial Year for Defence Statistics purposes starts on 1 April and ends on 31 March.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many live firing exercises have taken place at the Land Regional Hub Germany in each of the 10 previous financial years.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Live Firing exercises that took place at the Land Regional Hub Germany over the last ten years are recorded by calendar year rather than financial year. The number of Live Firing exercises that all took place on the Sennelager Training area in each of the last 10 year are as follows:

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the military equipment currently stationed at the Land Regional Hub Germany.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Army continually reviews equipment allocations to ensure training needs are met. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations, including the Land Regional Hub Germany.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Mauritian Government on the potential impact of Treaty of Pelindaba on the operation of nuclear weapons on the Diego Garcia military base.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As the hon. Gentleman will recall from me repeatedly saying in the Commons, and again from his time as a Defence Minister, it is longstanding UK policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location. The UK and Mauritius enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, but the Secretary of State has not met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, how much money has been allocated by his Department for the Low-Cost Effectors and Platforms initiative.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he expects to receive any further proposals for the Defence Investment Plan from the (a) Chief of the Air Staff, (b) Chief of the General Staff and (c) First Sea Lord.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We are working flat out to complete the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible. As part of this process, senior military leaders, including the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the General Staff and the First Sea Lord, are fully engaged in defence planning.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussed any draft versions of the Defence Investment Plan with the (a) Chief of the Air Staff, (b) Chief of the General Staff and (c) First Sea Lord.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We are working flat out to complete the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible. As part of this process, senior military leaders, including the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the General Staff and the First Sea Lord, are fully engaged in defence planning.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has received final proposals for the Defence Investment Plan from the (a) Chief of the Air Staff, (b) Chief of the General Staff and (c) First Sea Lord.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We are working flat out to complete the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible. As part of this process, senior military leaders, including the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the General Staff and the First Sea Lord, are fully engaged in defence planning.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any draft versions of the Defence Investment Plan have been approved by the (a) Chief of the Air Staff, (b) Chief of the General Staff or (c) First Sea Lord.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We are working flat out to complete the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible. As part of this process, senior military leaders, including the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the General Staff and the First Sea Lord, are fully engaged in defence planning.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate has he made of the total cost of issuing operational tour bonuses in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Operational Allowance (OA) is a location‑driven allowance that recognises increased and enduring danger in Specified Operational Locations (SOLs). The number of Service Personnel in receipt of OA reflects the number of Service Personnel deployed to SOLs.

SOL status is kept under regular review and is considered by the Permanent Joint Headquarters’ (PJHQ) Operational Records Board on a six‑monthly basis. As operational activity varies according to Defence commitments, entitlement to OA fluctuates accordingly.

It is not possible to forecast how many individuals will receive OA in future financial years, nor the cost. Forecasting would require assumptions about the scale, location, and duration of future operational activity.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many individuals does he expect to receive an operational tour bonus in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Operational Allowance (OA) is a location‑driven allowance that recognises increased and enduring danger in Specified Operational Locations (SOLs). The number of Service Personnel in receipt of OA reflects the number of Service Personnel deployed to SOLs.

SOL status is kept under regular review and is considered by the Permanent Joint Headquarters’ (PJHQ) Operational Records Board on a six‑monthly basis. As operational activity varies according to Defence commitments, entitlement to OA fluctuates accordingly.

It is not possible to forecast how many individuals will receive OA in future financial years, nor the cost. Forecasting would require assumptions about the scale, location, and duration of future operational activity.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, which military cohorts (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have met with to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, which associations (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have met with to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention of 5 January 2026, Official Report, column 63, if he will provide a list of the veterans groups that (a) he and (b) Ministers have met to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applications to join the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy were rejected due to medical reasons since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The following table provides the number of applications rejected with the reason ‘Medical’ from 5 July 2024 to 31 January 2026.

Total applications rejected for medical reasons between 5 July 2024 to 31 January 2026¹

[1] All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 in line with disclosure control policy. Figures ending in 5 are rounded to the nearest 20 to avoid bias.

These figures represent the number of applications rejected and not the number of people rejected; one applicant can apply (and be rejected) multiple times. The figures show the number of rejected applications in the specified time period regardless of when the application was received.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 104231 on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 104230 on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 103365 on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions.

It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the next NATO threat and capability review will take place.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The next full capability review will occur within NATO’s current four-year NDPP cycle, which runs until 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, whether the £1 billion contract includes the £60 million committed to the Proteus programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Given the hon. Gentleman’s former role as the Minister for Defence Procurement he will be aware of the details of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract. We have improved upon that deal, renewing and strengthening MOD’s relationship with a key industry partner.

Aside from the contract to supply 23 AW149 aircraft, Leonardo have agreed that future military international orders will be built in the UK, with an increased workshare for the UK above 40%. Moreover, Leonardo have also agreed to make the United Kingdom the home of exports for the AW149, with the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade.

In addition, Leonardo have agreed to make Yeovil their global centre of excellence for autonomous helicopters, building on the ongoing successful development of Project Proteus.

The £1 billion deal with Leonardo for NMH does not include funding committed to Proteus. Proteus is a £60 million programme, with information on the additional funding to be published in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Enemy weapons detector in the hands of soldiers five years early, published on 14 February 2026, how many SONUS systems will be delivered to the British army in the (a) current and (b) next financial year.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The SONUS system is an Acoustic Weapon Locating capability part of a wider programme which is delivering the next generation of Weapon Locating Sensors to enhance the capabilities of the 5^th Regiment Royal Artillery.

In January 2026, Leonardo UK was awarded a contract to deliver eight SONUS Acoustic Weapon Locating Sensors to the British Army. This state-of-the-art technology will play a critical role in enhancing the Army’s ability to detect and locate weapon systems with precision and efficiency.

As part of the delivery schedule, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery will receive two sensors by the end of FY 2025-26, enabling the achievement of Minimum Deployable Capability. The remaining six systems will be delivered in FY 2026-27, achieving the Full Deployable Capability before year end.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times has (a) he and (b) his ministerial team met with the lead reviewers of the Strategic Defence Review since 2 June 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government endorsed the Review’s vision and accepted all 62 recommendations. The lead reviewers played a valuable role in shaping its analysis and recommendations and, while they have no formal role now, we are regularly engaged with them .

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he had plans to deploy a Type 45 Destroyer to Cyprus prior to 2 March 2026.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately.

HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has begun preparations for the deployment of HMS Dragon to Cyprus.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately.

HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether DragonFire will be installed on HMS Dragon for its deployment to Cyprus.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately.

HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the planned length is of HMS Dragon's deployment to Cyprus.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately.

HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, what proportion of the £1 billion contract will be spent on delivering (a) NMH and (b) Proteus.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Given the hon. Gentleman’s former role as the Minister for Defence Procurement he will be aware of the details of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract. We have improved upon that deal, renewing and strengthening MOD’s relationship with a key industry partner.

Aside from the contract to supply 23 AW149 aircraft, Leonardo have agreed that future military international orders will be built in the UK, with an increased workshare for the UK above 40%. Moreover, Leonardo have also agreed to make the United Kingdom the home of exports for the AW149, with the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade.

In addition, Leonardo have agreed to make Yeovil their global centre of excellence for autonomous helicopters, building on the ongoing successful development of Project Proteus.

The £1 billion deal with Leonardo for NMH does not include funding committed to Proteus. Proteus is a £60 million programme, with information on the additional funding to be published in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, how much additional money will be allocated to Proteus.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Given the hon. Gentleman’s former role as the Minister for Defence Procurement he will be aware of the details of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract. We have improved upon that deal, renewing and strengthening MOD’s relationship with a key industry partner.

Aside from the contract to supply 23 AW149 aircraft, Leonardo have agreed that future military international orders will be built in the UK, with an increased workshare for the UK above 40%. Moreover, Leonardo have also agreed to make the United Kingdom the home of exports for the AW149, with the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade.

In addition, Leonardo have agreed to make Yeovil their global centre of excellence for autonomous helicopters, building on the ongoing successful development of Project Proteus.

The £1 billion deal with Leonardo for NMH does not include funding committed to Proteus. Proteus is a £60 million programme, with information on the additional funding to be published in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Enemy weapons detector in the hands of soldiers five years early, published on 14 February 2026, how many SONUS systems have been procured as of 24 February 2026.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The SONUS system is an Acoustic Weapon Locating capability part of a wider programme which is delivering the next generation of Weapon Locating Sensors to enhance the capabilities of the 5^th Regiment Royal Artillery.

In January 2026, Leonardo UK was awarded a contract to deliver eight SONUS Acoustic Weapon Locating Sensors to the British Army. This state-of-the-art technology will play a critical role in enhancing the Army’s ability to detect and locate weapon systems with precision and efficiency.

As part of the delivery schedule, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery will receive two sensors by the end of FY 2025-26, enabling the achievement of Minimum Deployable Capability. The remaining six systems will be delivered in FY 2026-27, achieving the Full Deployable Capability before year end.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Investment Plan will contain costings for all defence programmes.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We are working flat out to complete the Defence Industrial Plan and this will be published as soon as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Type 45 Destroyers that (a) have completed, (b) are undergoing and (c) are yet to commence the Power Improvement Project power upgrade.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 11 December 2025, in response to Question 96770 about the Type 45 Destroyer's Power Improvement Project.