Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16468 on LE TacCIS programme, what the cost is of the Morpheus communications programme as of 5 December 2024.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As of 5 December 2024, total expenditure for the MORPHEUS project is c£828 million.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16468 on LE TacCIS programme, what the reasons are for the delay in the Morpheus communications project.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The MORPHEUS project is delayed following contract delays in 2021.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems programme.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems (LETacCIS) programme will deliver the next generation of tactical military communications in the land environment. The programme consists of multiple complex projects delivering new capabilities over time as opposed to a single milestone. Most recently, the programme has seen progress in three projects:
The Multi-Mode Radio (MMR) project achieved Full Operating Capability in November 2024. This milestone saw 1,360 radios, ancillaries and batteries delivered into service, significantly boosting the communication capabilities of our joint forces and increasing interoperability with our key allies.
Project TRINITY will conduct a Manufacturing Data Readiness Design Review in June 2025. This is an essential step in the Demonstration phase, allowing the project to progress towards the Manufacture phase.
The Land Deployable Gateway (LDGv2) project is on contract with General Dynamics Mission Systems (UK) and will deliver an improved gateway solution from September 2025. LDGv2 will deliver new hardware, software and security upgrades, providing significant capability enhancements that ensure interoperability with NATO partners.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Land Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance programme.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Land Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) programme will deliver a suite of new sensor systems and enable a digitalised Army, by fusing data sources and ensuring capacity for effective and faster decision-making. At the core of the programme is project ZODIAC, which will provide the digital infrastructure required to network our sensors into a fused intelligence picture that is displayed across the network and automate our intelligence collection and analytical processes.
The ZODIAC Minimum Viable Product was delivered to 3 (UK) Division in 2024. Following a period of continuous development, enabled by the agile nature of the project, it will deliver the backbone of the Divisional ISTAR system for the forthcoming Warfighter Exercise in the US in May 2025.
The TIQUILA project will provide a new Uncrewed Air System (UAS) to support Brigade and Divisional Operations. It has now achieved its Initial Operating Capability, delivering three trained and equipped detachments into the Joint Aviation Command (JAC). TIQUILA is on schedule to reach Full Operating Capability by mid-2026, which will deliver a further 21 detachments that are fully integrated into the ZODIAC system.
Under TIQUILA's spiral upgrade programme, platforms will be fitted with resilient hardware and Long-Range Antennas, enabling them to operate in Global Navigation Satellite Systems-denied environments with greater reach.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has imposed (a) financial penalties and (b) adjustments to contract terms with General Dynamics in relation to the delay of the MORPHEUS project within the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems programme.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The MORPHEUS Evolve to Open Transition Partner (EvO TP) contract with General Dynamics Missions Systems (UK) (GDMS(UK)), which was focused on evolving the proprietary Bowman system, was concluded in December 2023. Commercial confidentiality precludes providing the specific details of the arrangements made, however the Department can provide assurance that these arrangements have been verified by both HM Treasury and Cabinet Office as representing the best value for money approach for the taxpayer.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the status is of the Morpheus communications programme; and whether there are delays.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
MORPHEUS is a project within the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems (LETacCIS) Programme and is currently delayed. Work to reset the project remains ongoing, and an Independent Project Review, led by the Cabinet Office’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), will take place in early 2025 and inform next steps.
Asked by: Maria Eagle (Labour - Liverpool Garston)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems programme.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Rawmarsh and Conisbrough)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on legal fees relating to the Morpheus programme as of 8 February 2024.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the right hon. Member's Question. I will write to him when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Rawmarsh and Conisbrough)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on external consultants for the Morpheus programme.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the right hon. Member's Question. I will write to him when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Rawmarsh and Conisbrough)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to re-compete the Morpheus contract.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement dated 14 December 2023, the MORPHEUS Evolve to Open Transition Partner (EvO TP) contract with General Dynamics Missions Systems (UK) (GDMS(UK)), which was focused on evolving the proprietary Bowman system, was concluded in December 2023. The MOD has reached a position where the deliverables are sufficient to enable the future of the MORPHEUS project and the next generation of tactical communications. As Bowman is a proprietary system owned by GDMS(UK), the EvO TP contract cannot be recompeted.
Defence will engage with industry on a renewed basis, incorporating the lessons learned from this procurement and move towards delivering the next generation of tactical communications systems, for the benefit of the whole of Defence.