Written questions by MacDonald.

Whether his Department plans to expand defence training and knowledge-sharing initiatives with Ukraine, including through facilities and defence establishments in Scotland.

In March 2026, the UK and Ukraine signed an Enhanced Security and Defence Industrial Collaboration Declaration, which will see the UK and Ukraine deepen cooperation in the field of military training and knowledge sharing. This includes the participation of Ukrainian personnel in allied training activities and the organisation of joint exercises. We will accelerate cooperation in the exchange of defence-related information and data and integrate lessons learnt from the battlefield into military training and capability planning. On 12 March, we announced a £50 million investment into the Scotland Defence Growth Deal to boost Scotland’s crucial role in UK defence. We also announced a further £10 million to support the implementation of a Defence Technical Excellence College, in consultation with Colleges Scotland, to increase the number of skilled workers available to Scotland’s defence sector.

What recent steps he has taken to incorporate lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield innovation, particularly in drone technology, electronic warfare and autonomous systems, into UK defence.

The pace of Defence's 'learn and adapt' cycle has accelerated exponentially as a result of lessons learnt in Ukraine The SDR highlighted the importance of autonomous systems within the UK’s integrated force. Decisions on the UK’s equipment requirements, including drones, electromagnetic warfare and autonomous systems, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

What discussions he has had with defence companies and advanced manufacturing clusters in Scotland on collaborating with Ukrainian partners on the development of air defence, drone and electronic warfare technologies.

I have held multiple discussions with defence companies and Scottish stakeholders on collaboration with Ukrainian partners in air defence, uncrewed systems, and electronic warfare. In March, I led the seventh and largest UK defence trade mission to Ukraine, including Scottish businesses, with support from my Department and ADS. We are also helping UK industry—including Scottish companies—establish a lasting presence via the Business Centre in Kyiv and develop further capabilities in partnership with Ukraine’s defence ecosystem.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK being directly attacked by Iran on the security of the North of Scotland.

The Department continually assesses a wide range of potential threats to the UK, including hostile activity by state actors. Whilst we do not comment on specific intelligence for security reasons, the UK maintains robust, multi layered defences designed to protect the whole of the country, including the North of Scotland.

What assessment his department has made of the potential security implications for UK residents after allowing United States forces to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for strikes on Iranian missile sites.

The Department continually assesses a wide range of potential threats to the UK, including hostile activity by state actors. Whilst we do not comment on specific intelligence for security reasons, the UK maintains robust, multi layered defences designed to protect the whole of the UK.

What assessment his department has made of the potential security implications for British citizens in Cyprus as a result of the delay in sending HMS Dragon to the region.

The Department continually assesses a wide range of potential threats to the UK and its citizens, including hostile activity by state actors. We do not comment on specific intelligence for security reasons. The deployment of HMS Dragon is in addition to the considerable amount of capability positioned into RAF Akrotiri since January, including hundreds of Armed Forces personnel, radar, air defence missiles and F35s to defend our bases, people and interests.

What additional security steps he is putting in place to protect the RAF Akrotiri base.

The Department cannot comment on the specific security measures in place at individual sites. However, we can confirm that the Ministry of Defence operates a multi-layered approach designed to deter, detect, and respond to any threat to protect our assets. The deployment of HMS Dragon is in addition to the considerable amount of capability positioned into RAF Akrotiri since January, including hundreds of armed forces personnel, radar, air defence missiles and F35s to defend our bases, people and interests. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of security to safeguard our national defence capabilities.

What steps his Department is taking to increase defence manufacturing capabilities.

The UK has a world class production and manufacturing eco-system, providing high-quality, cutting-edge armaments, components, and technologies for our Armed Forces and our allies. The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) 2025 sets out how we will deliver a defence sector that is more competitive, integrated, innovative and resilient, including by boosting UK manufacturing. Our new alliance with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, launched in the DIS, will lever world-leading research and development capabilities, and further accelerate industrial transformation. This builds on the strategic use of Advance Manufacturing in the development, delivery and sustainment of Defence capabilities. We are committed to ensuring the Defence industry is a engine for economic growth through strengthened industrial relationships and domestic investment. We have committed £6 billion this Parliament towards munitions, as outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which supports defence capacity whilst generating local jobs and economic prosperity. This investment includes £1.5 billion for building six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK to deliver an ‘always on’ pipeline, locations and arrangements of which are being assessed through ongoing work.

Whether he has had discussions with veterans’ representatives on compensation arrangements for people unable to bring claims relating to service before 1987.

This Government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure Veterans and their families get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. For Veterans facing challenges or difficulties, the Veterans Welfare Service, run by the Ministry of Defence, provides free one-to-one support for Veterans or anyone supporting a Veteran, their families and dependants. There are currently no plans to apply the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 retrospectively. Successive Governments have had a policy against retrospective changes to schemes. However, there is a route to compensation, outside of litigation, for Service personnel who served before May 1987, via the War Pension Scheme (WPS). If a Veteran feels that they have been impacted by their Service before 1987 they are able to make a claim under the WPS. The WPS is a no-fault scheme which provides compensation for Service personnel who are disabled or die due to injury caused or made worse by service in the UK Armed Forces before 6 April 2005. There are also a range of supplementary pensions and allowances payable, including for dependants.

What steps his Department is taking to support veterans who are unable to bring compensation claims relating to service prior to the commencement of the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987.

This Government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure Veterans and their families get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. For Veterans facing challenges or difficulties, the Veterans Welfare Service, run by the Ministry of Defence, provides free one-to-one support for Veterans or anyone supporting a Veteran, their families and dependants. There are currently no plans to apply the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 retrospectively. Successive Governments have had a policy against retrospective changes to schemes. However, there is a route to compensation, outside of litigation, for Service personnel who served before May 1987, via the War Pension Scheme (WPS). If a Veteran feels that they have been impacted by their Service before 1987 they are able to make a claim under the WPS. The WPS is a no-fault scheme which provides compensation for Service personnel who are disabled or die due to injury caused or made worse by service in the UK Armed Forces before 6 April 2005. There are also a range of supplementary pensions and allowances payable, including for dependants.

Whether he plans to review the compensation arrangements for veterans whose service took place before the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 came into effect.

This Government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure Veterans and their families get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. For Veterans facing challenges or difficulties, the Veterans Welfare Service, run by the Ministry of Defence, provides free one-to-one support for Veterans or anyone supporting a Veteran, their families and dependants. There are currently no plans to apply the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 retrospectively. Successive Governments have had a policy against retrospective changes to schemes. However, there is a route to compensation, outside of litigation, for Service personnel who served before May 1987, via the War Pension Scheme (WPS). If a Veteran feels that they have been impacted by their Service before 1987 they are able to make a claim under the WPS. The WPS is a no-fault scheme which provides compensation for Service personnel who are disabled or die due to injury caused or made worse by service in the UK Armed Forces before 6 April 2005. There are also a range of supplementary pensions and allowances payable, including for dependants.

Whether human rights are considered when awarding defence procurement contracts.

All Ministry of Defence (MOD) procurements must include DEFCON 516 (Equality) in their contracts. This requirement ensures suppliers shall adhere to the UK Equality Act 2010 and shall not unlawfully discriminate either directly or indirectly on the characteristics outlined in the Act. Any supplier or prospective supplier in breach of this can result in their exclusion from a tender process or give grounds to termination of a contract. The inclusion of this DEFCON also covers equivalent legislation in the country where the Contract is being performed if it is being performed overseas. All MOD procurements must also assess the potential risks of modern slavery throughout the supply chain in new and existing procurements. This assessment helps inform whether prospective suppliers are in breach of any mandatory and discretionary grounds under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), during the supplier selection stage, if there is any evidence of modern slavery offences having been committed.

Whether his Department (a) has provided and (b) plans to provide (i) financial and (ii) technical support for missile interceptor technology projects in Ukraine.

Since the start of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK has provided financial and technical support to missile interceptor technology projects to protect Ukraine's people, its Critical National Infrastructure and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This includes the supply of air defence munitions and air interceptor drones, including from UK industry.In addition, the UK and Ukraine have established a new tech sharing agreement and under Project OCTOPUS, we have agreed arrangements for the development of an advanced air defence interceptor drone.The UK plans to continue to provide this support, recognising the ongoing threat from Russian missiles.

What steps his Department is taking in cooperation with Ukraine to develop or invest in low-cost missile interceptor technology.

Under project OCTOPUS, part of a new UK and Ukraine technology sharing agreement, we have agreed arrangements for the development of an advanced air defence interceptor drone.This system, designed by Ukraine with support from UK scientists and technicians, has demonstrated effectiveness on the battlefield. Plans are in place for initial mass production in the UK, with a target to produce thousands a month.In addition, the UK has purchased and provided other (non-OCTOPUS) air defence interceptor drones to Ukraine, including from Ukrainian industry.

What recent estimate he has made of the cost of repairs to military aircraft damaged by (a) acts of vandalism and (b) protest activity in 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 October 2025 to the hon. Member for Angus and Perthshire Glens (Dave Doogan) to Question 78509.

What procedures are in place to ensure that defence contractors comply with international humanitarian law.

All Ministry of Defence (MOD) procurements must include DEFCON 516 (Equality) in their contracts. This requirement ensures suppliers shall adhere to the UK Equality Act 2010 and shall not unlawfully discriminate either directly or indirectly on the characteristics outlined in the Act. Any supplier or prospective supplier in breach of this can result in their exclusion from a tender process or give grounds to termination of a contract. The inclusion of this DEFCON also covers equivalent legislation in the country where the Contract is being performed if it is being performed overseas. All MOD procurements must also assess the potential risks of modern slavery throughout the supply chain in new and existing procurements. This assessment helps inform whether prospective suppliers are in breach of any mandatory and discretionary grounds under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), during the supplier selection stage, if there is any evidence of modern slavery offences having been committed.

What criteria need to be met by a company before it receives a contract for military training services.

All prospective suppliers are to be checked that they are not on the Debarment List before they are invited to tender or awarded a contract. If the procurement is subject to the Procurement Act 2023 (“the Act”), prospective suppliers can be excluded from tendering in accordance with the grounds listed in Schedules 6 and 7 if the MOD is satisfied that the circumstances given rise to the event are continuing or likely to occur again.

What steps he is taking to strengthen military and defence cooperation with Austria.

The Ministry of Defence is actively seeking closer bilateral relations with Austria to strengthen collective security in the Euro-Atlantic. This includes regular Defence Staff Talks, which have taken place in both London and Vienna, fostering strategic dialogue and alignment between the UK Ministry of Defence and the Austrian MOD.Austria’s military neutrality does not hinder collaboration, which is underpinned by routinely meeting across a number of levels to discuss issues around policy, procurement, and military training. Training cooperation is actively encouraged and covers opportunities both in the UK and Austria. With military teams taking part in Exercise Cambrian Patrol in the Brecon Beacons, UK service personnel conducting adventurous training in Austria, and reciprocal individual training at our Staff Colleges.

What steps he is taking to strengthen military and defence cooperation with the Czech Republic.

The UK continues to share a strong Defence relationship with the Czech Republic through which we cooperate on matters of shared interest. Our bilateral collaboration is underpinned by the British Military Advisory Training Team in the Czech Republic. Now in its 25th year, the organisation continues to play a valuable role in offering military training and assistance to NATO and NATO Partnership for Peace countries.

What steps he is taking to strengthen military and defence cooperation with Belgium.

The United Kingdom maintains a close and constructive defence relationship with Belgium, underpinned by our shared commitment to NATO and European security. We continue to strengthen this cooperation through bilateral engagements, joint training exercises, and collaboration in multinational operations. Recent steps include enhanced interoperability between our armed forces, particularly in areas such as cyber defence, and maritime security. The UK and Belgium also work closely within NATO frameworks, contributing to collective deterrence and defence initiatives.