Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What is the full scope of Project Synergia.

Project SYNERGIA is the Royal Air Force's research and development programme to inform the requirements for a core capability to provide protection for fixed sites from the threat of drones.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the use of the Shuiqiao landing barge by the Chinese navy.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s Shuiqiao landing barge is a significant development in China’s amphibious power projection capability. As laid out in last year’s Strategic Defence Review, the UK recognises China's rapid military modernisation and its use of new capabilities to attempt to establish regional dominance. Growing Chinese assertiveness is a key driver of regional and global instability. Defence can contribute to wider Government efforts to defend and shape international rules and norms in the region through strengthening regional partners and protecting freedom of navigation. In regional disputes, we continue to encourage all parties to settle their disputes peacefully through existing legal mechanisms.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue: Joint Statement, published in 23 February 2026, what steps he has taken to explore options that maximise opportunities to strengthen the UK collective steel industrial base with that of Australia.

I was pleased to host Minister Pat Conroy for the first Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue since 2018. As one of our closest allies, we had constructive discussions on how we can work together towards a safer and prosperous future. A cornerstone of doing so is the AUKUS partnership, which will drive growth, create thousands of jobs and provide new opportunities across the trilateral submarine supply chain, building essential resilience into this vital area of our Defence industry. With this in mind, we continue to work with Australia to understand how each country’s steel industry can provide optimal support for our respective SSN-AUKUS build programmes. Opportunities for the UK steel industry have already been realised, with Sheffield Forgemasters producing components for Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines. This has been underpinned by the £6 billion investment into the UK’s submarine building infrastructure that the Government announced in the Strategic Defence Review and a further £2.4 billion that Australia is providing to support capacity growth at Rolls-Royce Submarines and Sheffield Forgemasters.

What is the full scope of Project ONION.

You will note the recent publication on the Gov.UK website on 24 February which confirmed that the Ministry of Defence has trialled a series of projects designed to improve the UK's ability to outload munitions quickly and at scale. ONION seeks to capture lessons and policy challenges which have constrained munitions innovation.

What discussions has he had with his a) US counterparts or b) senior US military personnel, regarding the effectiveness of the US military’s one-way effectors used in the attack on Iran.

The US is the UK’s closest defence and security partner. The Secretary of State and his officials are in regular contact with US counterparts on a range of topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our two nations. You would not expect me to go into detail of operational discussions with the United States, including specific assessments of US capabilities or systems.

How many ORCUS counter-UAS systems have been procured by the Ministry of Defence.

I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

What is the full scope of Project PAXO.

PAXO is a project to look at ways of packing munitions more efficiently. It tests new tools and methods to speed up loading munitions into shipping containers making the process faster, safer and less labour-intensive.

What country was the launch location of the drone that struck the runway during the attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.

The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a drone targeted RAF Akrotiri on 2 March was not launched from Iran. Our best assessment is that it came from Lebanon or Iraq.

What information his Department holds on the type of drone struck the runway during the attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.

The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a drone targeted RAF Akrotiri on 2 March was not launched from Iran. Our best assessment is that it came from Lebanon or Iraq.

Whether he has received the completed Defence Finance and Investment Strategy.

As set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS) is set to be developed by early 2026. It is currently on track for publication in spring, and the Secretary of State for Defence has been kept informed of the progress.

If he has received the overarching Infrastructure Recapitalisation Plan as per Recommendation 59 of the Strategic Defence Review.

The overarching Infrastructure Recapitalisation Plan, as outlined in Recommendation 59 of the Strategic Defence Review, has not yet been submitted.

Whether his Department has any current contracts with Anthropic.

The Department does not hold any contracts with Anthropic.

Whether any British military personnel were involved in the (a) planning or (b) intelligence gathering for the US attack on Iran.

No British military personnel were involved in the planning for the US attack on Iran. It is the longstanding policy of successive Governments that we do not comment on intelligence matters.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025 to question 79699 on Antiship Missiles, by what date will the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme full business case receive a decision on approval.

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme continues to move towards its Full Business Case approval in 2026. The schedule for completing the approval process is structured to allow continued delivery of industry work (where approvals are already in place to protect work throughout 2026) without the approval process introducing any delay.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2025 to question 79399 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Procurement, how much funding will he provide to counter-drone capability to RAF Akrotiri.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually monitors the threat posed to the UK and our interests, and has processes in place to rapidly deliver capability required by specific Operational Commanders to manage risks to life that arise around the world. Integrated Air and Missile Defence investments will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. The MOD, through the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, is working to speed up financing and licensing for exports to Gulf partners. As part of this, a new Task Force has been created within the NAD Group to collaborate across government to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment.

What assessment has he made of the potential impactions for his policies of the recent withdrawals of a) Poland, b) Estonia and c) Finland from the Ottawa Treaty.

His Majesty's Government has noted the withdrawal of Finland, Estonia and Poland from the Ottawa Convention. The UK acknowledges and shares concerns about the security environment in the region as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. We also acknowledge that it is the sovereign right of those countries to make this decision. The UK will continue to work to mitigate impacts on vital arms control and disarmament norms, while continuing to engage bilaterally on the actions those States plan to take following their withdrawal. As a State Party to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (also known as the Ottawa Convention), the UK remains committed to the Convention.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty.

His Majesty's Government has noted the withdrawal of Finland, Estonia and Poland from the Ottawa Convention. The UK acknowledges and shares concerns about the security environment in the region as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. We also acknowledge that it is the sovereign right of those countries to make this decision. The UK will continue to work to mitigate impacts on vital arms control and disarmament norms, while continuing to engage bilaterally on the actions those States plan to take following their withdrawal. As a State Party to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (also known as the Ottawa Convention), the UK remains committed to the Convention.

What progress he has made in procuring a) GMLRS and b) ER-GMLRS munitions.

Replenishment of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) stockpile is on contract with the first deliveries expected to arrive in the UK in Quarter two 2026. The procurement of Extended Range GMLRS (ER-GMLRS) is on contract with the first deliveries expected to arrive in the UK in 2028.

What is the current size of the Royal Artillery’s M270B1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems fleet.

The Ministry of Defence has an operational fleet of 21 M270B1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, comprising launcher and repair and recovery vehicle variants.

How many M270 launchers have been procured from Norway.

The UK has acquired 11 M270A0 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems launchers from Norway.