Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to page 120 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a new CyberEM Command.

The design and implementation planning process is well underway. The 4 star Cyber ans Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) was officially launched on 1 September 2025. The 2 star Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force, previously referred to as the CyberEM Command, which operates within CSOC, is set to be established by the end of the year.

With reference to page 120 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, how enterprise-wide operational defence priorities for activities in the cyber domain will be deconflicted with the National Cyber Force’s priorities.

We do not routinely comment on operational matters or the operational prioritisation of the National Cyber Force (NCF) due to reasons of national security.

With reference to page 122 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on empowering each of the services to develop their own electromagnetic warfare capabilities.

The capacity to operate within the electromagnetic spectrum is a critical component of contemporary warfare, as evidenced by ongoing events in Ukraine. By the end of the year, the newly established 2 star Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force will assume responsibility for developing and coordinating Electromagnetic Operations strategy and force development, including setting standards and architectures. Meanwhile, each Single Service will continue to advance their own tactical capabilities to ensure preparedness against emerging threats and effective operation within their respective domain.

With reference to page 118 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on re-establishing a Cabinet sub‑Committee or equivalent ministerial group to set the UK’s strategic approach to space.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard) on 6 September 2025 to Questions 70660, 70661, 70682 and 70659 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) and on 23 July 2025 to Question 68516 to the hon. Member for Solihull West and Shirley (Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst).

With reference to page 127 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, which aspects of defence intelligence capabilities his Department has assessed as (a) underpowered and (b) fragmented.

The Ministry of Defence keeps all areas of its capability under review to ensure we are ready to meet the threat posed by adversaries and to protect the UK, but we do not comment in detail on aspects of Defence capability that could be useful to adversaries.

With reference to page 22 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what changes have been made to Royal Navy rules of engagement to track vessels suspected of (a) spying and (b) sabotage.

The Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence continuously assess its Rules of Engagement to ensure our Armed Forces can act appropriately against malign activities and future threats. For reasons of national security, I am not able to disclose specific rules of engagement, nor can I indicate when a review of our profiles was conducted and any potential changes that followed.

With reference to recommendation 53 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a strong training offer that nurtures critical specialist skills.

The Defence Intelligence Academy was established in October 2025 by Commander Cyber and Specialist Operations Command and the Chief of Defence Intelligence as part of Defence’s efforts to ensure a strong training offer. The programme to do so has focussed on the higher-level Command structures, while delivering several new and innovative training courses focussed on enhancing critical specialist skills. It will cohere delivery across the Military Intelligence Services. The Defence Intelligence Academy is also optimising its courses for future intelligence requirements and technology, improve training delivery methods, and emphasising career-long education.

With reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in exploring alternative approaches for the Royal Navy to deliver a (a) balanced and (b) cost-effective fleet.

The First Sea Lord has outlined a bold new vision for a ‘Hybrid Navy’ as demanded by the Strategic Defence Review. This paradigm shift proposes far greater use of autonomous systems, digitisation, and Artificial Intelligence to create a fleet of crewed and uncrewed systems, increasing the mass and lethality of future Naval Task Groups. The plan also includes a re-imagined industrial and organisational model to accelerate delivery of cutting-edge technology to the frontline, supporting both operational advantage and UK industry. These proposals are being considered alongside other requirements as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to recommendation 41 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in modernising the (a) two divisions and (b) Corps HQ that the British Army provides to NATO’s strategic reserve corps.

The delivery of the Army’s modernisation programme is ongoing and subject to review as part of the Defence Investment Plan. Early steps that have already been made include: the elevation of key capabilities to the Corps level (Engineers, Air Defence, Aviation, Medical, Military Policing); the re-establishment of Armoured Infantry capability for 3 (UK) Division; the establishment of a new Reconnaissance Strike Brigade for 1 (UK) Division. We have also grown capabilities in a number of areas including Counter-Intelligence, Close Support Engineering, and Land Targeting. The headmark for the delivery of the associated capability modernisation and transformation programmes remains 2035.

With reference to recommendation 45 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, which battalion group of the Parachute Regiment will airborne parachute (a) capability and (b) capacity be focused on.

Recommendation 45 of the Strategic Defence Review is a planning assumption to inform equipment, training, and workforce readiness. The Battalion Group will be formed from across 16 Air Assault Brigade – predominantly 2 PARA and 3 PARA.

How many fully deployable divisional headquarters does the British Army have.

The British Army has two deployable divisions: 1 (UK) Division and 3 (UK) Division. Both have their own divisional headquarters.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and Türkiye agree big step towards multi-billion-pound export of Typhoon fighter jets, published on 23 July 2025. what progress he has made on negotiations on a potential deal with Turkey.

We are pleased with the progress that is being made on strengthening our partnership with Türkiye, a valued NATO ally. Negotiations are ongoing and we hope to conclude soon.

With reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of supplanting the SKYNET (a) 6A and (b) 6EC satellite communications programmes with alternatives.

The Ministry of Defence is continually assessing SKYNET’s capabilities against demand and potential threats. SKYNET 6A and the Enduring Capability solutions are considered operationally relevant and will form part of a resilient satellite communications enterprise out to 2040.

With reference to the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on ensuring that defence requirements are reflected in cross-Government efforts to deliver resilient space-based Positioning, Navigation and Timing systems.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a longstanding relationship and regular conversation with for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Staff engagement is regular and pre-dates the Strategic Defence Review.The MOD engages with colleagues in DSIT and other Government Departments on Positioning, Navigation and Timing spans requirements, capabilities, technical details and policy considerations. This is to ensure coherency between our department's work and wider Government investment plans.A military officer has been embedded in the DSIT National PNT Office since 2021 to aid this on a day-to-day basis and reflecting the importance of cross-departmental working.

If he will list the military capability projects within the Government Major Projects Portfolio rated as red.

The latest National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority's Annual Report for the Financial Year ending 31 March 2025 was published on 11 August 2025: NISTA Annual Report 2024-25 - GOV.UK.This fully digital report lists the full composition of the Government Major Programmes Portfolio by Department, Category and the Delivery Confidence Assessment at that time in the Section 3.3 headline figure suite of tables.

What the full scope is of Project AETHER.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 September, to Question 76405. Project AETHER is at the trial phase. Initial planning is underway for a further trial, following the completion of the project first two trials.

With reference to page 122 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a Spectrum Coordination Office.

A Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Organisation has been designed as part of the 2 star Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force Headquarters. Scope, scale, basing options and timetable are dependent on the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan.

What the outcome was of the high-altitude uncrewed balloon tests conducted in South Dakota, USA under Project Aether.

The trials in South Dakota were successful and achieved or surpassed all intended test objectives. The objectives included:Providing 24-hour Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage in high-latitude winter conditions at high-altitude;Locating, identifying, and tracking signals, and disseminating data over both Line of Sight and Satellite communications;Maintaining continuous endurance at high altitude;andEnabling airborne handover of ISR coverage between different platforms.

With reference to page 114 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the opportunities for cost-sharing with NATO Allies in procuring more E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 70763 on 8 September 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

With reference to page 47 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made on implementing the core digital platform for the warfighter.

The fundamental capabilities of the core common platform set out within the Strategic Defence Review already exist and are being used today; however, they are not at the scale or delivering the integrated and innovative capabilities at the speed required to support the Integrated Force model. Progress is continuously being made. In September 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Palantir (link) which will help the UK military develop the latest digital tools and harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to accelerate decision making, improve targeting and keep the nation safe from evolving threats. A contract with Google was also signed (link) to ensure that MOD has access to the latest technology developed by Google Cloud, including AI, data analytics, and cyber security, and will be used by defence intelligence and national security specialists to share secure information between our partners and outcompete our adversaries.