Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What assessment has he made of the potential merits of procuring the RCT30 turret for the Boxer platform.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 6805 on 4 October 2024 which confirms the British Army has conducted operational analysis, lethality and survivability studies, which includes analysing potential turreted options. The British Army will continually review the capabilities, priorities and affordability choices that will be provided by BOXER and other platforms to ensure that its armoured Fighting Vehicle fleet best meets Defence and NATO's needs.

Pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2025, to question 68113 on Army, what progress has he made in developing the next iteration of Project Asgard.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to his questions 68113, 73577 and 79396 which remains extant and explains the current position for the Army’s project ASGARD.

Pursuant to the answer of 16th December 2025, to question 98210 on Submarines: Decommissioning, what is the schedule for (a) defueling the 12 remaining decommissioned submarines and (b) dismantling all remaining submarines.

The twelve decommissioned, first generation Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR1) submarines awaiting defuel in Devonport will dock in a specialised, licensed dock in Devonport, following processes regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation. The used fuel will be removed, loaded into a qualified transport container and transported to Sellafield prior to long-term storage in the Geological Disposal Facility. Submarines will be dismantled after the fuel has been removed. Work is underway to prepare the dock facilities and associated resources in line with plans to recommence defueling in 2026. Dismantling of Swiftsure commenced in Rosyth in 2023. This demonstrator project will refine the disposal process and is on track to be dismantled by the end of 2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in 2019.  Lessons learned from these defuel and dismantling projects will provide more certainty around the schedule for defueling and dismantling the remaining 22 decommissioned submarines.

With reference to the Quarterly service personnel statistics: 1 October 2025, what assessment has he made of the cause of the decrease of personnel in the Full-Time Trained Strength (RN/RM & RAF) and Full-Time Trade Trained Strength (Army) in the 12 months to 1 October 2025.

UK Regular Armed Forces intake is now greater than outflow at the Tri-Service level and strength remained stable over a rolling 12-month period. Published stats (1 October 2025) show that since 1 October 2024, the total number of UK Forces Personnel has increased by 0.3% (increase of 516 to 182,063). Armed Forces inflow has increased by 13% when compared to previous 12-months. In the same period outflow reduced by 8%. There is no single reason why personnel leave the Armed Forces, but the personnel who completed the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey indicated reasons for leaving the Armed Forces included the impact of Service life on family and personal life and opportunities outside the Armed Forces. We are pleased to be reversing the trend of decline, with more people joining our Armed Forces than leaving for the first time in four years. But we know there is more to do to and are taking decisive action, including speeding up the process for those wishing to rejoin the Armed Forces, giving personnel the largest pay rise in decades and scrapping 100 outdated recruitment policies, and legislating the first-ever Armed Forces Commissioner to improve Service life.

What progress has he made in procuring a new 155mm self-propelled howitzer for the Royal Artillery.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 November 2025 to Question 88294, which remains extant.

Pursuant to the answer of 11th December 2025 to question 90800 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, what is the total size of the remuneration package for the RAF Engineers Financial Retention Incentive.

The total remuneration package for the RAF Engineers Financial Retention Incentive is approximately £113.5 million.

Pursuant to the answer of 11th December 2025 to question 90800 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the time taken to ensure that the programme has the required numbers of engineers on the ability to maintain the F-35 fleet.

The Department is taking measures to improve the recruitment and retention of engineers, whilst also increasing the number of engineers on the F-35 Lightning Force to improve availability.

What amphibious vessels are available to the a) Royal Navy and b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

As a matter of policy, the Department does not comment on the detailed readiness or availability of individual ships.

What is the out-of-service date of the 105mm light gun.

On current plans, the Out of Service Date for L118 105 mm Light Gun is 2030.

What assessment has he made of the potential merits of procuring the K9-Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer.

Many 155 mm Artillery systems, including K9-Thunder, were considered as candidates for the Army’s enduring artillery capability, prior to selection of the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm for the Mobile Fires Platform. The Army continues to evaluate its need against current conditions.

For what reason a) RFA Lyme Bay and b) RFA Mounts Bay have not been put to sea.

As a matter of policy, the Department does not comment on the detailed operational readiness or tasking of individual ships.

Pursuant to the answer of 16th December 2025, to question 98210 on Submarines: Decommissioning, what is the process for defueling decommissioned submarines.

The twelve decommissioned, first generation Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR1) submarines awaiting defuel in Devonport will dock in a specialised, licensed dock in Devonport, following processes regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation. The used fuel will be removed, loaded into a qualified transport container and transported to Sellafield prior to long-term storage in the Geological Disposal Facility. Submarines will be dismantled after the fuel has been removed. Work is underway to prepare the dock facilities and associated resources in line with plans to recommence defueling in 2026. Dismantling of Swiftsure commenced in Rosyth in 2023. This demonstrator project will refine the disposal process and is on track to be dismantled by the end of 2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in 2019.  Lessons learned from these defuel and dismantling projects will provide more certainty around the schedule for defueling and dismantling the remaining 22 decommissioned submarines.

What project milestone was achieved by General Dynamics on 23 July 2025.

All criteria for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) were met on 23 July 2025 and following a period of review, IOC was declared by the Army on 15 September 2025. I have put in place a Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme, which will assess how effective the Department has been at implementing the actions of previous reviews, and seeking anything further that is required regarding safety. It will be conducted by experts who are not part of the AJAX programme, including Malcolm Chalmers, to provide a more independent view. It will be overseen by me and report to the Defence Secretary. It will be conducted at pace, but it will not be rushed.

What steps he is taking to prevent industrial action from Royal Fleet Auxiliary a) ratings and b) officers.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a vital element of Defence, enabling the ability to deliver operational effect in conjunction with our allies around the world. We continue to engage constructively with the trade unions which represent RFA ratings and officers. It would not be appropriate to offer more detail of these engagements as discussions are ongoing.

By when will the first phase of the Light Mobility Vehicle Project be completed.

The Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) sub programme is in its Concept Phase. On current plans, formal market engagement will commence in early 2026.

How many soldiers were hospitalised or received hearing-related injuries in relation to the Ajax programme since 23 July 2025.

Since 23 July 2025, centrally held electronic systems show fewer than five personnel have had a hospital admission recorded since their first use of Ajax. None of these were related to Ajax, hearing or vibration. In the same period, 27 personnel have had a hearing loss related read code entered into their electronic medical record since their first use of Ajax. However, the presence of read code does not imply either a long-term problem or that it has been caused by their use of Ajax. For any Service person their use of Ajax will be mixed with other potential sources of exposure. It is also possible that symptoms are not occupationally related.

How many a) FV432 and b) FV433 vehicles are currently in service with the British Army, broken down by variant.

There are zero FV432 or FV433 vehicles in service with the British Army. None of the FV430 series of vehicles remain in service. These were modified under an Urgent Operational Requirement for operations in Iraq and subsequently re-designated as ‘BULLDOG’.

How many vehicles have been purchased under the Boxer programme by variant.

623 vehicles have been contracted under the Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme. The table below shows the breakdown by variant: VariantQuantity PurchasedInfantry Carrier146Specialist Carrier200Command212Ambulance65

What discussions his Department has had with (a) General Dynamics, (b) the Senior Responsible Officer and (c) the British Army on the Ajax programme since 23 July 2025.

Since the incident during Exercise Titan Storm last month, I have been having regular discussions with key stakeholders from the Army and Ajax Programme team, and I met with General Dynamics on 9 December 2025. I have provided further details to the House via two Written Ministerial Statements and an Urgent Question reply in addition.

What the full scope is of Project Nightfall.

The scope of Project NIGHTFALL is to rapidly develop and produce, at scale, tactical ballistic missiles with a range of at least 500km, alongside associated mobile launchers.