Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2025 to question 73557 on Navy: Dockyards, what progress he has made in delivering the NSIGN Projects to enable the Ministry of Defence to contract for Submarine and enabling Naval Base services delivered through Clyde and Devonport in March 2026.

Good progress has been made on both programmes. Contract placement is on track to extend the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) to cover the period from April 2026 up to October 2028. The extension will ensure a smooth transition to the Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) Programme, which will continue the maritime support transformation started by the FMSP. Supplier negotiations for the NSIGN programme continue.

Pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2025 to question 73557 on Navy: Dockyards, what progress he has made in delivering the extension of the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) where required, for the period March 2026 to October 2028.

Good progress has been made on both programmes. Contract placement is on track to extend the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) to cover the period from April 2026 up to October 2028. The extension will ensure a smooth transition to the Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) Programme, which will continue the maritime support transformation started by the FMSP. Supplier negotiations for the NSIGN programme continue.

By when will his department answer question 113295, published on 12 February 2026.

The total value of the air defence package announced by the Defence Secretary at the most recent Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, is £540 million. This is funded through the UK’s annual commitment of military aid to Ukraine and Ukrainian funding underwritten by UK Export Finance.

What assessment has he made of the requirement to replace the minehunting capability of HMS Middleton in the Arabian Gulf.

We inherited a plan from the previous government for a drawdown of crewed minehunting capabilities. The Royal Navy remains committed to sustaining mine countermeasures capability in the Arabian Gulf. The UK is transitioning to modern autonomous minehunting systems under the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme, and operational requirements in the region are kept under constant review.

If he will make an assessment of the potential vulnerability of (a) Taiwan and (b) the first and second island chain following the deployment of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from Okinawa to the Arabian Gulf.

The MOD does not comment on assessments conducted on the military capabilities of other states for reasons of operational security.

What assessment he has made of the level of deployability of HMS Duncan prior to completion of its Power Improvement Project upgrade.

The Royal Navy manages the availability and readiness of its ships on a rolling basis, ensuring that vessels are deployed only when they are safe, capable, and endorsed for tasking.

What assessment has he made of the capabilities of DARPA’s SPeed and Runway INdependent Technologies (SPRINT) program X-76 aircraft for the Royal Air Force.

The UK Ministry of Defence has an ongoing relationship with DARPA, which ranges from information sharing to active collaboration on specific projects. No specific engagement has been undertaken on the SPRINT Programme, nor assessment of the X-76 demonstrator aircraft for RAF roles.

For what reason was 12 Squadron deployed to Qatar in February 2026.

12 Squadron was deployed to Qatar in February 2026 following a formal request from the Qatari Government.

With reference to the press conference from the Prime Minister on 16 March 2026, which three squadrons of fighter jets are deployed to the Middle East.

As of 18 March 2026, 12 Squadron, operating Typhoon aircraft, is deployed to Qatar. 2 Squadron, operating Typhoon aircraft, and 617 Squadron, operating F-35 aircraft, are deployed to RAF Akrotiri.

Pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2925 to question 89770 on Unmanned Marine Systems: Procurement, what a) roles and b) capabilities are covered by the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces.

The Coastal Forces Squadron along with 47 Commando Royal Marines will be the first operators of the Project BEEHIVE Uncrewed Surface Vessels to be delivered by Kraken Technology Group. Primarily designed to operate in littoral waters these craft will have a modular payload system with an open architecture which will allow the very rapid integration of a wide variety of sensors and effectors to support Coastal Forces and Commando Force activity.

What Royal Navy capabilities are planned to be supported by Maritime Remote and Autonomous Systems (MRAAS).

The Royal Navy is in a significant transition to a hybrid force with a mix of crewed and uncrewed systems operating in the air, surface and sub-surface environments.

Which directive within the Ministry of Defence authorises the use of the Royal Navy’s Phalanx CIWS in a fully automated capacity.

As with all Armed Forces equipment capable of delivering lethal effect, the use of Phalanx is governed by strict Rules of Engagement. Internal directives relating to the use of weapons systems are operationally sensitive and are not disclosed.

Whether the Royal Navy’s Phalanx CIWS is authorised to use lethal force.

As with all Armed Forces equipment capable of delivering lethal effect, the use of Phalanx is governed by strict Rules of Engagement. Internal directives relating to the use of weapons systems are operationally sensitive and are not disclosed.

What assessment has he made of the adequacy of 2 Force Protection Wing’s ORCUS counter-UAS equipment on preventing drone attacks on RAF Akrotiri.

While ORCUS+ is not optimised to defeat One-Way Attack UAS, it offers an enhanced ability to detect, track and identify, increasing a kinetic system’s ability to defeat but no system can be 100% effective. This is why our defences in the Eastern Mediterranean now include Typhon and F-35 jets, air defence and counter-drone units, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and a further 400 air defence personnel are currently deployed to protect British lives and interests.

Pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2026 to question 106075, what progress he has made on providing a full response.

An answer will be provided shortly.

What discussions he has had with Skycutter on the procurement of the Shrike 10 Fiber FPV drone.

The Department has no records of formal engagement with Skycutter on the procurement of the Shrike 10 Fiber FPV drone.

What progress he has made in delivering Atlantic Net.

The Royal Navy (RN) will be deploying new undersea warfare technology as part of Atlantic Net, a new initiative that will see the RN rapidly field and iterate undersea warfare technology in collaboration with a Commercial Mission Partner or Partners. The initial commercial competition closed in late Nov 25 with follow on technical assessment undertaken during Dec 25, this process down-selected from 26 compliant consortia to five. The RN has worked collaboratively with these five consortia over the past three months, investing £5.6 million to rapidly develop and evidence these capabilities further before the Atlantic Net Commercial Mission Partner will be selected and scaled, pending approval in the Defence Investment Plan.

What the UK’s contribution is to the NATO Innovation Fund.

Following agreement by the Secretary of State for Defence and Chancellor the UK’s participation in the NATO Innovation Fund was announced on 30 June 2022. The fund invests in start-ups developing technology which fall into one of NATO’s defined EDT groups. It will be NATO’s venture capital fund. The fund’s objectives are: Foster a pipeline of dual-use technologies that can be adopted by NATO and participating nations;Crowd-in investment from private investorsBe commercially successful, providing returns on investment. The cost to the UK of participating in the fund is c£11 million per annum until financial year 2029-30.

How many Royal Navy T45 Destroyers have been upgraded with Sea Ceptor CAMM.

Sea Ceptor is already in service on all Type 23 frigates and work is underway to introduce it onto the Type 45 Destroyers, as well as the new Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates. This expansion of Sea Ceptor will further strengthen local air defence capabilities in the surface fleet.

Pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026 to question 118315 on USA: RAF Akrotiri, what is the scope of the permissions the US have been granted to use RAF Akrotiri.

As the Defence Secretary previously stated, the UK has agreed to a US request for permission to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for specific defensive purposes to destroy Iranian missiles and launchers at source. For operational security reasons, we do not offer comment on information relating to foreign nation’s military operations. Permissions to utilise UK military bases are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decision to grant permission is dependent on the nature and purpose of their activity.