theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 48 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in establishing a digital warfighter group. \p Al Carns: Mature work on the concept is underway on the core functions of the Digital Warfighter Group, its operating model and detailed design on its construct. Its focus will be to deploy digital warfighters alongside conventional warfighters to enable the rapid application of digital technologies in support of operational activities. The financial overheads have been submitted into the Defence Investment Plan process, and if funded and resourced, should be delivered at Initial Operating Capability in July 2026 as per the Strategic Defence Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) financial, (b) manpower and (c) other material contributions the UK has made to US coalition warfare projects in the last 12 months. \p Al Carns: There is no single cohering group that collects this information. Each of the single Services and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) independently propose and deliver projects as part of the Coalition Warfare Programme. This collaboration has taken place over the past 20 years.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what the Defence Medical Services pressures are that have been caused by fragility of the global supply chain. \p Luke Pollard: As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, workforce shortages and the fragility of global supply chains are pressures for both Defence Medical Services and the National Health Service (NHS). The Ministry of Defence (MOD) regularly reviews its critical supply chains to identify and mitigate risks to defence capability.

Work is ongoing between the MOD and the NHS to understand system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery to meet Defence medical needs. Increasing resilience of UK medicines supply chains remains a priority for the Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review, updated on 8 July 2025, if he will list the sites he has considered for the Royal Navy's training estate. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence keeps the Royal Navy’s training estate under regular review to ensure it continues to meet both current and future operational requirements. As part of the Strategic Defence Review, all elements of the training estate are being assessed to ensure the Navy can deliver modernised training, support the increased use of Reservists, and maintain the capacity to train allies and partners without impacting national priorities.

The Royal Navy has a number of training establishments listed below:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to provide a substantive Answer to Question 68513 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Repairs and Maintenance. \p Luke Pollard: As the hon. Member is aware, the Department keeps under review its approach to the disclosure of information in light of a wide range of factors. In this instance, having carefully considered the matter, I have concluded that the operational security risks are such that I am not able to disclose the level of detail requested.

I can, however, provide a general response to your question regarding the maintenance downtime of various vehicles.

Over the last 12 months (June 2024 – June 2025), the proportion of maintenance downtime time for routine mandated inspections, servicing and emergent repairs of the Army’s three main armoured platforms: Challenger 2, Warrior and Bulldog is 2.5%. This information has not been broken down by platform due to operational sensitivities.

Maintenance downtime consists of planned routine servicing/inspection and unplanned average annual repair time. To be clear this is an average estimation based on a single sample for each vehicle type of which 2.5% is the combined total.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Ireland. \p Al Carns: In a joint declaration following the UK-Ireland summit 6 March 2025, the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, announced their commitment to deepen cooperation between the two nations. For Defence, the declaration highlighted the area of maritime security, specifically critical sea infrastructure, and cyber-security, to ensure the protection of shared information. These commitments are to be reflected in a refresh of the 2015 UK-Ireland Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) following next spring’s UK-Ireland summit.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) financial, (b) manpower and (c) other material contributions the UK has made to foreign comparative testing with the US in the last 12 months. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence actively supports the Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) programme by collaborating on programme development and working with FCT representatives to identify promising UK technologies. Detailed outcomes remain the responsibility of the individual companies and the FCT.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, which projects are affected by the challenges to recruit the required (a) skills and (b) experience levels in the Army Programme Management Office. \p Luke Pollard: These resource challenges are impacting a significant portion of the Army Portfolio. The confidence assessments of the programmes are available in the National infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, accessible here: https://ar25.nista.grid.civilservice.gov.uk/tables.

The Army Programme and Portfolio Office actively manages the prioritisation of programmes to ensure its workforce is allocated where it is most needed. To retain and enhance this skilled cohort, the office offers comprehensive Portfolio, Programme and Project Management training packages to develop current personnel and to attract talent into the team.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 133 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in creating a single Recapitalisation Plan for Defence infrastructure. \p Luke Pollard: A Recapitalisation Plan for Defence Infrastructure is currently being drafted with a target completion date of February 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of MOD Centre arbitration funding decisions on (a) St Kilda, (b) the Falkland Islands and (c) Gibraltar in the context of the Marshall programme. \p Luke Pollard: Following Ministry of Defence Centre arbitration funding decisions on (a) St Kilda, (b) the Falkland Islands and (c) Gibraltar, Air HQ will clarify the requirements and ensure that any potential impact to those locations, in the context of the Marshall programme, are mitigated.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 134 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in identifying mutually beneficial partnerships (a) across Government and (b) with the private sector. \p Luke Pollard: Work to identify any opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships across Government and with the private sector, will be brought forward as part of the Recapitalisation Plan which has a target completion date of February 2026.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 41 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, in which cases does the UK plan to become a more activist state willing to intervene more deeply in the economy. \p Luke Pollard: The Government will not hesitate to intervene, where necessary, to protect our national security interests, and we will use the Defence Industrial Strategy to make Defence an engine for growth, backing British jobs, British industry and British innovation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to assess the potential merits of reviewing the classification of documents on the Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash in 1994 within this parliamentary term. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident, and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died.

As part of Ministry of Defence’s business as usual activity to renew the Retention Instrument associated with these closed records held at The National Archives, an assessment of the potential merit of removing the 100-year closure status is due to take place in 2029.
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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average length of time is between receiving an expression of interest and receiving a formal application and the start of a training programme for a new recruit in the (a) Army and (b) Army Reserve. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: In the 12 months ending 1 July 2025, the average time taken between application and untrained entry for UK/Irish Regular Other Ranks was 249 days.

In regard to the average time taken between application and untrained entry for the Army Reserve, this is information is not held centrally and will take some time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member with a response.

Notes/caveats:
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out when Operation Valour will end. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: VALOUR is a new programme that will give veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support that is available to them, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the Ministry of Defence. It will improve the coordination of services at a national, regional and local level to ensure that veterans receive the support they need. VALOUR will deliver institutional resilience and is not just a sticking plaster, and therefore it is intended as a long-term solution to cohering the support available to our veterans; crucially making it easier to navigate and therefore access services and support they need.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the VALOUR scheme will become available to all veterans. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: VALOUR is a new programme that will give all veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support that is available to them, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the Ministry of Defence. It will improve the coordination of services at a national, regional and local level to ensure that veterans receive the support they need.

The programme will start supporting veterans in 2026.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funding his Department has allocated to the research and development of (a) drone detection and (b) counter-drone technologies in the last three years. \p Al Carns: It is not possible to differentiate, in funding terms, between Research and Development (R&D) supporting drone detection and counter-drone technologies – our counter-drone systems R&D takes a full systems approach to support the delivery of military capability. However, through Defence’s centrally funded science and technology budget, Defence has invested a minimum of £35 million in counter-drone systems science and technology research over the past three years.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 113 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what (a) airborne early warning and (b) control capability does the RAF contribute to NATO plans in the Euro-Atlantic. \p Al Carns: The UK will contribute the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft once operational. The Wedgetail is an airborne early warning and control aircraft that will deliver cutting-edge capabilities and strengthen the Alliance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 120 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what the future structure of the Royal Navy’s Information Warfare Group will be. \p Al Carns: The Royal Navy (RN) does not have a formally titled ‘Information Warfare Group’. Information Warfare (IW) is a specialisation within the Warfare profession, not a discrete unit or group.

The Strategic Defence Review’s reference is therefore not to an established body, but to the Royal Navy’s IW specialisation and its ongoing transformation. The aim is to make IW more coherent, capable, and better able to deliver operational advantage and lethality to the maritime front line, without increasing workforce numbers or cost.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, whether the UK contribution to the Strategic Reserve Corps is capable of deploying anywhere in Europe. \p Al Carns: The Strategic Reserve Corps (SRC) are Supreme Allied Command Europe’s (SACEUR) most credible warfighting land forces, useable in competition, crisis or conflict. They can be deployed anywhere in Europe in support of NATO plans and to enact SACEUR’s prudent planning options.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 29 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing an initial operating capability for a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre. \p Al Carns: There are a series of sprints running to scope out the governance and structure of the Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre (DUSC) that will build on the work delivered to date by the Defence Uncrewed systems Design Authority (DUxDA). The outline governance proposals for the DUSC are on course, to be presented to the 3* Uncrewed Systems (UxS) Steering Group in November for endorsement.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how long HMS Ambush has not been operationally deployable. \p Al Carns: I cannot provide specific detail regarding the operational deployability of HMS Ambush as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of any relevant forces.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 23 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle piracy through Diego Garcia. \p Al Carns: For operational security reasons, we cannot give details about specific activities or measures. We perform a variety of maritime security tasks to counter a wide range of threats from illegal fishing, terrorism, piracy and hostile state activity. We do this in cooperation with key allies and partners in the region.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 120 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, whether there are existing capability gaps within the development of the Digital Warfighter group. \p Al Carns: Development work has begun on the overall project for the Digital Warfighter Group with the intention of delivering the construct at Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by July 2026. Pending adequate resourcing and financing in line with Departmental priorities, there are no specific capability gaps within the development of the group.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 54 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a new Defence Intelligence Charter. \p Al Carns: As set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), work to establish a single defence intelligence enterprise under the banner of 'Military Intelligence Services' (MIS) is continuing. Key stakeholders across Defence have been consulted, and draft proposals have been developed. This work has been executed through the existing structures of the Intelligence Function, which has already delivered enhanced coherence across several activities. The SDR sets out the requirement for further integration under the MIS, and the enterprise continues to develop as planned. Work on the Defence Intelligence Charter is ongoing, and Defence is aiming to publish the Charter by the end of 2025 however its publication will be coordinated with a wide range of Defence Reform activity and SDR delivery and thus is subject to change with dependencies across both.

The Ministry of Defence's existing intelligence capabilities, incorporating Defence Intelligence (DI), PJHQ Joint Intelligence (J2), UK Special Forces J2, and Royal Navy, Army, RAF and Space Command intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance organisations) will operate under MIS with functional leadership provided by DI.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 127 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on increasing funding for into Defence Intelligence to build its (a) capability and (b) capacity. \p Al Carns: Defence is taking forward a large range of projects and programmes aimed at improving defence intelligence capability. While we do not comment in detail on aspects of Defence capability that could be useful to adversaries, I can say that Defence is increasing the digitisation of the intelligence cycle and the information, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) process. It is also increasing digital integration of the intelligence cycle to allow the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to better meet both today’s threats and optimise our capabilities for modern war fighting.

The MOD continues to focus on integration across Government and with international partners to make us better aligned to address state threats and nontraditional actors which facilitates a renewed focus on warfare capability development. We continue to invest in intelligence hubs which bring together a range of centralised intelligence capabilities, allowing for the faster, more agile passage of intelligence. Defence is also implementing the new Military Intelligence Services, which will maximise existing intelligence capabilities across the MOD.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made in delivering the Global Combat Ship programme. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with BAE Systems (BAES) to ensure the Global Combat Ship (Type 26) programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver world-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates to replace the Type 23.

Following the steel-cut ceremony for HMS Sheffield on 28 November 2024, five of the eight Type 26 frigates are now under construction on the Clyde. HMS Cardiff is structurally complete and has joined HMS Glasgow in the dry dock at Scotstoun for the outfitting phase. Unit and block assembly on HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham continues.

HMS Glasgow is forecast to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2028, with construction of all eight frigates expected to be complete by the mid-2030s.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to redefine the Armoured Cavalry 2025 Programme. \p Luke Pollard: Any plans to redefine the Armoured Cavalry programme will be approved in accordance with extant Department procedures.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Malloy T-150 drones have been procured by his Department. \p Luke Pollard: The Royal Navy took delivery of 20 Malloy T-150 Drones in November 2024. In September 2025 the Royal Navy declared that they had been 'Released to Service' in accordance with Military Aviation Authority Regulations.
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Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many F-35 foreign military sales have been made by country. \p Luke Pollard: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of the F-35 are managed by the Joint Program Office. There are 12 F-35 FMS customers who between them, are currently planning to procure 579 F-35 aircraft.
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Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what key performance indicators he plans to publish on the impact of the National Armaments Director Group on defence procurement. \p Luke Pollard: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are being developed for the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group as part of a single NAD Group performance framework for 2026-27. The KPIs will be aligned to the intent set in the Strategic Defence Review recommendations.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 47 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, when will Protector be integrated with Type-26 frigates. \p Luke Pollard: The exploration of the Maritime capability for Protector is being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan. We will ensure that this Plan is affordable, considers infrastructure and people, alongside capabilities and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, what consultation with local hon. Members in the five areas took place; and what impact this consultation had upon the decision to award deals to the areas. \p Luke Pollard: Prior to the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department conducted a public consultation with over 200 responses. There was not a specific consultation directed at MPs in specific Defence Growth Deal areas, in part because work is still ongoing to establish the precise focus and scope of these areas. Significant engagement is taking place with devolved and Local Governments, and we will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure these deals drive growth in their respective areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that veterans with recognised service-related conditions are able to access specialist-prescribed private treatments under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) may cover medical expenses for seriously injured veterans living abroad after discharge, provided the treatment aligns with UK best clinical practice at the time of decision. This is a specific exception and the AFCS does not generally fund private medical care.

For UK-based Serving personnel and veterans whose injuries or illnesses are service-related, the NHS is the official and recommended healthcare provider, delivering specialised, high-quality care tailored to their needs.

In its 7th Report, the Independent Medical Expert Group reaffirmed support for this model, advocating continued reliance on the NHS rather than establishing a separate, parallel system and we continue to work closely with our partners in the NHS.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with (i) Cyprus and (ii) France. \p Al Carns: The UK is committed to deepening our bilateral relationships with both France and the Republic of Cyprus, as outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025.

The UK continues to share a strong Defence relationship with the Republic of Cyprus, through which we cooperate on matters of shared interest. Bilateral cooperation involves a range of a range of multi-domain activities through training, capability development, and crisis planning, as well as collaborating on domestic and regional challenges. Recently, this included UK support to Republic of Cyprus firefighters using ground and aerial assets to combat wildfires. This united response helped protect 15 villages that were threatened by the flames.

Lancaster House 2.0 marks a reboot of the UK-France defence and security relationship, building on the 2010 Lancaster House Treaties. The UK has committed to launching the Combined Joint Force (CJF), overhauling the existing Combined Joint Expeditionary Force to refocus it on the Euro-Atlantic and warfighting at scale to deter, placing it on an operational footing for the first time. Lancaster House 2.0 also sets out the deepening of the UK-France nuclear collaboration, with the first Nuclear Steering Group meeting in November, to co-ordinate deeper UK-France collaboration across nuclear policy, capabilities and operations. The UK agreed to embark upon an ‘Entente Industrielle’ with France, to enhance capability and industrial cooperation and progress is being made on key capability projects.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Germany. \p Al Carns: The United Kingdom is taking significant steps to deepen both military and broader defence cooperation with Germany. This effort is anchored in the landmark Trinity House Agreement, signed in October 2024, which established a strategic framework for bilateral defence collaboration.

Under this agreement, the UK and Germany have launched a series of Lighthouse Projects that span deep precision strike capabilities and collaboration across all domains. We are also leading the development of a new long-range strike system. As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, the UK and Germany share the ambition to deliver conventional deep precision strike capabilities, collaboration on which can deliver an important contribution to European strike capability through the ELSA programme, a multinational effort to enhance Europe's defence systems by the 2030s.

Under Trinity House we have intensified cooperation in undersea warfare, including collaboration on P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft and a shared procurement of Sting Ray torpedoes. We have twice now had German crews fly on UK P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft, supporting NATO's Baltic Sentry and helping to prepare for the German aircraft delivery later this year.

The UK and Germany are collaboratively seeking closer bilateral relations to strengthen collective security in the Euro-Atlantic, developing cost-effective means of delivering priority capabilities as set out in the Strategic Defence Review.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with (i) Croatia and (ii) Greece. \p Al Carns: The UK enjoys a strong relationship with Croatia as a regionally important, likeminded NATO Ally. We regularly work together on areas of shared strategy interest, including on support to Ukraine and commitment to NATO standardisation. The depth of this relationship is exemplified by the annual success of Ex SAVA STAR, the capstone UK-Croatia land training exercise.

Greece is a major defence and security partner for the UK. With a relationship steeped in history, Greece remains a close partner for the UK both bilaterally and within NATO. We regularly we cooperate on matters of shared interest, with bilateral cooperation involving a range of a range of multi-domain activities through training, capability development, and crisis planning.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Luxembourg. \p Al Carns: The UK continues to strengthen its defence relationship with Luxembourg, both bilaterally and through multilateral frameworks, particularly NATO. Our respective Chiefs of Defence have met in the context of wider NATO engagements to discuss and enhance support for the Alliance’s collective defence and deterrence objectives. These meetings have also contributed to broader efforts to strengthen European defence. Most recently, in September, Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, was invited to attend the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition, where she was hosted by Defence Minister Lord Coaker.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_686

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Italy. \p Al Carns: Through regular meetings between our Defence Secretaries, our bilateral High-Level Military Dialogue, and interaction through other groupings such as NATO and E5 Defence Ministers Group, we continuously explore how the UK and Italy can better work together to address issues of shared strategic interest.

In recent years, the relationship has been consolidated by our commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme alongside Japan which achieved Treaty Ratification in December 2024. Additionally, in February 2025, we signed the Statement of Intent for Capabilities and Complex Weapons which will enable deeper collaboration on defence exports and industry. Operationally, only two European nations with carrier-capable F-35B aircraft, we continue to deepen interoperability between our Carrier Strike Groups. This was clear to see during Ex MED STRIKE which took place during the UK Carrier Strike Group's transit of the Mediterranean earlier this year. During this exercise, the UK's Carrier Strike Group combined with the Italian Carrier Strike Group, conducting essential training together including on anti-submarine warfare and air defence tactics.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_687
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_687

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Lithuania. \p Al Carns: The UK continues to develop its defence relationship with Lithuania, as both NATO and The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) allies. The JEF provides a key framework for deepening UK-Lithuania cooperation, enabling both countries to collaborate effectively on rapid response operations, collective defence, and deterrence within Northern Europe and the Baltic region. Through the JEF, the UK and Lithuania participate in regular joint exercises, operational planning, and capability development, enhancing interoperability and readiness to respond to emerging threats.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_688
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_688

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to strengthen (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Latvia. \p Al Carns: The UK continues to deepen its defence cooperation with Latvia across both military and broader strategic domains. This includes working with Latvia bilaterally as well as through NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). UK troops are currently deployed in Latvia on a JEF exercise, marking the largest ever ground troop deployment to the country. This demonstrates our enduring commitment to NATO and regional security. The UK also remains a joint leader with Latvia on the Drone Coalition, an initiative to source, test, and manufacture drones in support of Ukraine. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation and operational support for allies facing aggression.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_689
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_689

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Cyprus. \p Al Carns: The UK continues to share a strong Defence relationship with the Republic of Cyprus, through which we cooperate on matters of shared interest. Bilateral cooperation involves a range of a range of multi-domain activities through training, capability development, and crisis planning, as well as collaborating on domestic and regional challenges. Recently, this included UK support to Republic of Cyprus firefighters using ground and aerial assets to combat wildfires. This united response helped protect 15 villages that were threatened by the flames.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_690
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_690

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Croatia. \p Al Carns: The UK enjoys a strong relationship with Croatia as a regionally important, likeminded NATO Ally. We regularly work together on areas of shared strategy interest, including on support to Ukraine and commitment to NATO standardisation. The depth of this relationship is exemplified by the annual success of Ex SAVA STAR, the capstone UK-Croatia land training exercise.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_691
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_691

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Bulgaria. \p Al Carns: The UK continues to share a strong Defence relationship with Bulgaria, and greatly values Bulgaria’s continued leadership in the region as a Black Sea nation. We cooperate deeply on matters of shared interest, undertaking a range of bilateral activities through education, exercising and expertise exchange. Recently, this included on Exercise STEADFAST DART which practiced the first deployment of the Allied Reaction Force operating through Bulgaria, demonstrating NATO readiness to rapidly reinforce the Eastern Flank. UK-Bulgaria defence cooperation is reviewed annually by our respective Ministries of Defence.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_692
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_692

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to strengthen the UK’s (a) military and (b) defence cooperation with Poland. \p Al Carns: The United Kingdom greatly values Poland as a steadfast ally and a leader on NATO’s eastern flank. Our nations share a proud history of standing together in defence of freedom, and today we face new and complex challenges that demand the same unity of purpose. Our new Defence and Security Treaty, and supporting Bilateral Defence Plan, will set a clear strategic direction for the next 15 years and beyond. We will not only reinforce our shared commitment to collective security, but also deepen industrial cooperation, enhance interoperability, and drive innovation. Together, we will ensure that our forces can act together with speed and confidence to deter and defeat emerging threats, safeguard our people and uphold European security.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_693
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_693

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to work with international counterparts to align standards and share intelligence on counter-drone systems and tactics. \p Al Carns: Yes, the Defence Uncrewed Design Authority (DUxDA) is actively engaging partner nations to establish relationships and identify opportunities for enhanced collaboration on all facets of Uncrewed Systems (UxS).
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_694
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_694

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many proposals have been funded through the Defence and Security Accelerator delivering operational advantage via improved self-sufficiency competition. \p Luke Pollard: Due to a change to programme prioritisation after this competition had closed, there were no proposals funded directly through this competition. Fundable proposals submitted into DASA competitions but not funded are retained for potential future use. One proposal submitted as part of the competition was later funded through alternative customer funding.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_695
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_695

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, is he will set out the (a) delivery and (b) in-service date for each Type 26 frigate. \p Luke Pollard: The Type 26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver eight world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates in time to replace the anti-submarine warfare Type 23s. All ships are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.

Type 26 Frigates will allow the Royal Navy to continue to play a leading role in the anti-submarine theatre of the North Atlantic, providing a crucial output to both NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_696
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_696

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Air Force Poseidon P-8 aircraft have not been airworthy for more than 12 months. \p Luke Pollard: There have been 2 occasions when a Poseidon MRA1 has not flown for more than 12 months due to maintenance:

· ZP804 - 06/03/2024 to 04/09/2025

· ZP807 - 12/07/2023 to 13/09/2024

This was mitigated through routine fleet management and maintenance planning frameworks.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_697
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_697

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which (a) former bases and (b) other sites owned by his Department are categorised as disused and not earmarked for disposal within this Parliament. \p Luke Pollard: There are no former bases or other sites owned by the Ministry of Defence that are disused and have no plan for disposal within this Parliament.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_698
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_698

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what units are included within the single Service-designated Special Operations Forces. \p Al Carns: The Strategic Defence Review was clear that the current threat environment means Defence needs greater choice and resilience across the spectrum of military effects. Units such as the Army Rangers and the Commando Force will provide the special operations-capable forces required to improve the UK’s warfighting capabilities as well as helping fulfil our contribution to NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_699
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_699

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what specialist military capabilities Special Forces provide in support of (a) the police and (b) civil authorities. \p Al Carns: It is the longstanding policy of successive Governments not to comment on the details of the activity, personnel or capabilities of the UK Special Forces.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_700
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_700

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what level of (a) cooperation, (b) coordination and (c) deconfliction takes place between UK Space Command and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. \p Al Carns: There are several cross-Government forums where capability roadmaps are discussed and developed between UK Space Command and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Most notably, this includes the new ‘One Government’ approach to Space, which looks to support the alignment of UK priorities for the Space domain.

UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency (part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) have daily cooperation, coordination, and deconfliction as part of the National Space Operations Centre, a joint military and civilian organisation which coordinates civilian and military Space Domain Awareness capabilities, across multiple sites.

As part of the UK Space Agency’s Unlocking Space for Government programme, which aims to harness space to improve UK public service and strengthen national security, UK Space Command and UK Space Agency recently announced funding of £500,000 towards the development of a project for new detection technology to spot lasers that adversaries may use to dazzle satellites and intercept communications.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_701
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_701

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on building on UK membership of the US-led space coalition under Operation Olympic Defender to help ensure that NATO has an effective space policy. \p Al Carns: The UK remains firmly committed to working with international partners and Allies through a range of international fora, including the US-led Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER.

Through these partnerships we are building a shared understanding of the evolving space threats, integrating space more effectively into defence operations, and pursuing interoperability and resilience across our defence space capabilities.