Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 50 of his department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, whether an annual statement has been submitted to the Secretary of State on force design to identify what has changed in implementing the Integrated Force.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), the Integrated Force Model comprises four elements: a single force plan and design; a common set of foundational enablers; digital enablement at its core; and real-time collaboration across Government. The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) delivers the Integrated Force Plan through investment in the capabilities required to build a NATO-first Integrated Force.

Delivery of the remaining elements is underway as part of Defence's wider programme of modernisation and reform. Integrated Force Design 35 (IFD35) will provide the classified force design required to implement the SDR and will be shared with the Secretary of State and senior Defence and cross-Government leaders. An annual statement on implementation will follow the completion of the first IFD35, which is expected in Autumn 2026.

Through the DIP, Defence is investing £298 billion over the next four years to rebuild warfighting readiness, improve lethality and survivability, and deliver the SDR's vision of an Integrated Force.

The SDR identified the CyberEM domain as a critical enabler of this vision. Since publication of the SDR, Defence has strengthened the integration of cyber and electromagnetic capabilities through the establishment of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command as Defence's fourth Military Command and the Defence Cyber & Electromagnetic Force within it.

Defence continues to enhance its understanding of cyber and electromagnetic threats, develop operational concepts, and strengthen commanders' ability to operate effectively in the CyberEM domain. Evidence from force testing and lessons from contemporary conflicts will continue to inform force design and ensure the Integrated Force remains capable of outthinking and outmanoeuvring adversaries across all domains.