Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase UK service personnel numbers stationed in Greenland.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The UK agrees on the need to step up security in the High North and Arctic to deter and defend against the threats posed by adversaries such as Russia. This is why the UK already engages in NATO activity in the region. The UK continues to operate UK Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Maritime Patrol Aircraft in support of NATO deterrence activity on a regular basis and continues to deepen its partnerships with key Allies in the region such as Norway. Discussions amongst Allies about NATO’s future role in the Arctic region are ongoing.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role the UK will play in the multinational NATO command in Greenland.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The UK agrees on the need to step up security in the High North and Arctic to deter and defend against the threats posed by adversaries such as Russia. This is why the UK already engages in NATO activity in the region. The UK continues to operate UK Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Maritime Patrol Aircraft in support of NATO deterrence activity on a regular basis and continues to deepen its partnerships with key Allies in the region such as Norway. Discussions amongst Allies about NATO’s future role in the Arctic region are ongoing.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that F-35 aircraft purchased by the Royal Air Force contain a ‘kill switch’ controlled by either the manufacturer or the US government that can render them useless.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer my hon. Friend Luke Pollard MP gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) to Question 94529 on 3 December 2025 in the House of Commons.
The Ministry of Defence has Operational Sovereignty/Freedom of Action to operate the UK 'F-35 aircraft at the time and place of the UK Defence's choosing' and to 'procure critical capabilities to be located in the UK'.
This is combined with an in-depth understanding of the aircraft's capabilities that enable Operational Readiness and risk to be assessed against national legislation, the Geneva Convention and our Duty of Care before committing the equipment and personnel to operations.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the (a) role and (b) location of the RAF’s Typhoon Squadrons on 1 January 2026.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The details of the RAF’s Typhoon squadrons and their roles can be found on the RAF website at www.raf.mod.uk
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to undertake a refresh of the 2012 Defence Rotary Wing Capability Study.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Rotary Wing capability is vital to our Armed Forces' ability to manoeuvre and confront adversaries. We have kept our approach to Rotary Wing capability planning up to date through iterative updates to the Rotary Wing Strategy, last published in 2021, including considerations of usage of future and emerging technologies in Rotor Craft up to 2040 and beyond. Rotary Wing force design is a key consideration as part of the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, the outcome of which will define the future capability plan.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to pursue further deals to export UK assembled Eurofighters.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK Government is committed to supporting the export of British defence equipment, including UK-assembled Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
As seen with the recent Typhoon export to Türkiye - worth c.£8 billion and supporting 20,000 UK jobs - these deals play a vital role in supporting the UK defence industry, sustaining high-skilled jobs, and contributing to the economy. The Secretary of State for Defence continues to work closely with international partners and allies to promote the Eurofighter Typhoon as a world-class multi-role combat aircraft.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many aircraft does the Empire Test Pilots’ School currently (a) own or (b) lease.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
QinetiQ, which operates the Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) under contract with the Ministry of Defence, owns a fleet of 18 aircraft used in the delivery of the programme.
The types and volume of leases change annually given the trading system in place for access to assets with other NATO Military Schools and Training and Evaluation units, coupled with access where possible to UK Military assets. For ETPS 2025, 21 additional assets were used under such leases.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with his Canadian counterpart on the export of Eurofighters for the RCAF.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence regularly engages with international counterparts to discuss a range of defence and security matters, including the sale of Eurofighter Typhoons. While the UK Government is committed to expanding the number of Typhoon users it would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of ongoing commercial discussions or potential procurement decisions by other nations.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she will hold discussions with the her Indian counterparts on the need for the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau investigation into the crash of Air India flight 171 to be independent, including commercial considerations.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has engaged with counterparts in India regarding the tragic accident of Air India Flight 171. The Indian Air Accident Investigation Bureau is the lead investigating authority, in line with standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization and must be given the time and space to undertake a thorough investigation. The UK welcomed the preliminary report which was published in July 2025. I want to reaffirm my deepest sympathies to those who lost their lives in this accident, as well as to their loved ones.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the revenue to be raised by foreign military sales of Eurofighter Typhoons to Turkey.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK Government is committed to supporting the export of defence equipment, including the Eurofighter Typhoon. The sale of Typhoon jets to Türkiye is worth up to £8 billion, supporting 20,000 highly skilled UK jobs. This deal represents the leading edge of our future relationship with Türkiye, making both our nations, Europe and NATO stronger, safer and more prosperous.