Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Questions 75477, 75478, 75479 on National Armaments Director Group: Costs.

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

I responded to the right hon. Member on 24 September 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Boxer armoured vehicle programme has been further delayed in reaching its Initial Operating Capability.

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

The approved Initial Operating Capability of the Mechanised Infantry (Boxer) programme is currently Q4 2025. It is under review and an update will be provided shortly.

The programme has faced some delays that have primarily resulted from global supply chain issues which are not unique to Boxer or Defence. These have, therefore, impacted industry manufacture, delivery and training timelines.

Trials have, however, progressed well; training and support work is underway, and a steady progression of vehicles are being received month on month for acceptance before being fielded to Field Army units.

Once in service, maintenance and support for the Boxer vehicle in 3^rd (UK) Division will be initially led by the holding units and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers maintainers along with support from Field Service Representatives from industry. Spares and support will be provisioned through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency membership in collaboration with other Boxer Nations, which provides reach back to industry for deeper maintenance if required.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which organisation will be responsible for the maintenance and support of Boxer vehicles within 3 (UK) Division.

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

The approved Initial Operating Capability of the Mechanised Infantry (Boxer) programme is currently Q4 2025. It is under review and an update will be provided shortly.

The programme has faced some delays that have primarily resulted from global supply chain issues which are not unique to Boxer or Defence. These have, therefore, impacted industry manufacture, delivery and training timelines.

Trials have, however, progressed well; training and support work is underway, and a steady progression of vehicles are being received month on month for acceptance before being fielded to Field Army units.

Once in service, maintenance and support for the Boxer vehicle in 3^rd (UK) Division will be initially led by the holding units and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers maintainers along with support from Field Service Representatives from industry. Spares and support will be provisioned through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency membership in collaboration with other Boxer Nations, which provides reach back to industry for deeper maintenance if required.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Boxer armoured vehicle programme is expected to achieve Initial Operating Capability.

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

The approved Initial Operating Capability of the Mechanised Infantry (Boxer) programme is currently Q4 2025. It is under review and an update will be provided shortly.

The programme has faced some delays that have primarily resulted from global supply chain issues which are not unique to Boxer or Defence. These have, therefore, impacted industry manufacture, delivery and training timelines.

Trials have, however, progressed well; training and support work is underway, and a steady progression of vehicles are being received month on month for acceptance before being fielded to Field Army units.

Once in service, maintenance and support for the Boxer vehicle in 3^rd (UK) Division will be initially led by the holding units and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers maintainers along with support from Field Service Representatives from industry. Spares and support will be provisioned through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency membership in collaboration with other Boxer Nations, which provides reach back to industry for deeper maintenance if required.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Investment Plan will consist of a single document.

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

The Defence Investment Plan will be a single document that sets out how the Ministry of Defence will deliver the vision of the Strategic Defence Review over the next 10 years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether dismounted infantry companies in 3 (UK) Division are now planned to transition from Warrior vehicles to ARES rather than to Boxer.

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

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave on 21 July 2025 to Question 68120 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty). The statement remains extant and explains that the Army intends to equip the Regular Infantry Units within 3 (UK) Division with ARES in the infantry troop carrying role.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has introduced procurement control measures for spending levels that require clearance by the Secretary of State.

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

In year controls are used across the Department to manage its performance against the Defence budget as part of good financial management.

The Secretary of State for Defence continues to have oversight of this process.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Andy Start will remain the Acting National Armaments Director for the whole length of his contract.

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

Andy Start was appointed acting National Armaments Director (NAD) as part of the establishment of the wider NAD Group in March 2025. Recruitment of a permanent NAD is ongoing and an appointment will be made in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of Lord Peter Mandelson’s involvement in discussions on the procurement of American defence systems.

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

As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to lay before Parliament (a) communications and (b) records of the former UK Ambassador to the United States' discussions with his Department on the (i) purchasing and (ii) procurement of American military equipment.

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

As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department held any meetings with Lord Peter Mandelson on the (a) procurement and (b) purchasing of American military equipment.

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

As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) officials and (b) Ministers in his Department have corresponded with Lord Mandelson on the acquisition of US-manufactured defence equipment.

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

As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the contract awarded by his Department to Korn Ferry for the recruitment of the National Armaments Director has been fulfilled.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

I refer to my answer given on 9 July HC66214. Korn Ferry continue to support the appointment process for the National Armaments Director role.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Challenger 3 in battlefield configuration has exceeded its maximum weight limit.

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

The Challenger 3 tank is being designed to meet its weight requirement.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who holds the role of Senior Responsible Owner for the delivery of the Ajax Programme.

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

The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Armoured Cavalry Programme is Mr Chris Bowbrick.

The Senior Safety Responsible Officer position within Defece Equipment and Support is filled by a Senior Professional Engineer. As a former Defence Minister he will recall that it is not Ministry of Defence policy to name Civil Servants below Senior Civil Service 1* grades. It is however, worth noting that the Armoured Cavalry Programme SRO is formally accountable for the overall safety of the programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when (a) he, (b) the Minister for Defence Procurement, (c) the Chief of the General Staff and (d) the National Armoured Director last received an update on progress of the Ajax vehicle trials.

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

Delivery of Ajax remains a high priority for defence. Senior stakeholders continue to receive regular updates regarding the Armoured Cavalry Programme through standard reporting processes, and all have been updated within the last four weeks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any personnel have reported medial issues arising from their involvement with the Ajax programme in the last six months.

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

As a former Defence Minister he will know that Army personnel routinely report a range of medical issues from business-as-usual training activity, this includes soldiers operating Ajax. The Ajax Safe System of Work ensures there is a safe working environment for all Ajax users.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who holds the role of Senior Safety Responsibility Officer for the delivery of the Ajax Programme.

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

The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Armoured Cavalry Programme is Mr Chris Bowbrick.

The Senior Safety Responsible Officer position within Defece Equipment and Support is filled by a Senior Professional Engineer. As a former Defence Minister he will recall that it is not Ministry of Defence policy to name Civil Servants below Senior Civil Service 1* grades. It is however, worth noting that the Armoured Cavalry Programme SRO is formally accountable for the overall safety of the programme.