Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to page 47 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made on developing the secret cloud.

A contract has been put in place with Google for the provision of Secret Cloud services to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for at least the next five years. Security delivered for working people as UK-US ties strengthened with new Google Cloud partnership for classified information sharing - GOV.UK The capability is being developed jointly by MOD and Google, with workload development and testing carried out over the next six months. The aim is to have the capability available for general use across MOD in 2026.

What progress he has made in migrating all SECRET Tier users to the new MODNET platform.

There are currently no plans to migrate SECRET Tier users to a new MODNET platform.

If he will list the disused (a) Royal Navy bases, (b) Army bases, (c) Royal Air Force bases, and (d) surplus land awaiting disposal.

A list of all Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites that are currently available for purchase can be found on the MOD’s disposals website via gov.uk. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report

What progress he has made on migrating all users to the new managed print service.

The Migration Phase of the new Managed Print Service is complete. The project has achieved Full Operating Capability.

What the in-service date is for the Royal Navy’s Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon.

The Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) requirements will be fulfilled by a “light” and “heavy” capability. FASGW (Light), also known as Martlet, achieved Initial Operating Capability in October 2021 and has been in operational service with the Royal Navy since then. The programme is progressing towards Full Operating Capability and achievement of this milestone is forecast for December 2025. FASGW (Heavy), also known as Sea Venom, reached Initial Operating Capability in May 2025 in time to be deployed on Operation HIGHMAST. Full Operating Capability is on-track to be delivered by 2029.

What discussions he has had with members of the Coalition of the Willing on the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.

Operational discussions continue with fellow Multi-National Force Ukraine nations, but we will not be drawn into detail on the specifics of UK Armed Forces deployments at the risk of operational security. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine.

How many fully deployable manoeuvre brigades does the British Army have.

The Army has five fully deployable manoeuvre brigades.

What the outcome was of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Gate 4 programme review of the Mechanised Infantry Programme.

The most recent National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) review outcome of the Mechanised Infantry Programme is reflected in the NISTA 2024-2025 annual report which is published online. The supporting data grades the Mechanised Infantry programme as AMBER. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nista-annual-report-2024-2025

With reference to recommendation 47 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on augmenting the existing fleet of A400M with (a) more A400M, (b) civilian charter and (c) sponsored service options.

A range of options to meet future air mobility requirements are being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan which will be published in due course.

With reference to recommendation 23 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which Ukrainian industries he has identified for potential post-conflict industrial collaboration with Ukraine.

Long term collaboration with Ukraine’s defence industrial base, which has evolved rapidly and become a recognised world leader in innovation and technology adoption, is a priority for the Ministry of Defence. Since Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, the UK has cooperated closely with Ukraine to deliver capabilities required by its armed forces, while bringing together the best of UK and Ukrainian industry. Trade missions, of which the government has led six into Ukraine, are helping build defence industrial relationships for the near term and for enduring, post-conflict industrial collaboration. Our future cooperation on battlefield technology, announced by the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy on 23 June, will deepen that collaboration through sharing of data and expertise between the UK and Ukraine, paving the way for our two countries to work long term on jointly-agreed priorities for the benefit of both our nations’ armed forces and defence industries.

With reference to recommendation 46 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of how a mix of F-35A and B models provide value for money.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to Question 64538 on 10 July 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge). The procurement of 12 F-35A rather than 12 F-35B is expected to deliver a saving of up to 25% per aircraft. Final prices will be identified during contract negotiation.

With reference to page 133 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in implementing the Defence Estate Optimisation programme.

The Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio was mobilised in 2016 and has completed, or is on construction on 22 projects having disposed of 30 surplus Ministry of Defence sites.

On what date did the UK sign the deal with Lockheed-Martin to procure 12 F-35A Lightning II jets.

Negotiations with the Joint Program Office are ongoing. Further information regarding the procurement of the 12 F-35A Lightning aircraft will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to page 133 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in implementing the Defence Estate Optimisation programme.

The Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio was mobilised in 2016 and has completed, or is on construction on 22 projects having disposed of 30 surplus Ministry of Defence sites.

With reference to recommendation 48 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on revising the flying training arrangements for fast jets.

The RAF continues to implement incremental improvements as part of the continuous review of flying training. These include delivering additional synthetic training devices to RAF Valley and implementing the Combat Edge human performance optimisation programme, both designed to improve pass rates and enhance trainee resilience. Decisions on capabilities will be made in the Defence Investment Plan.

When the Protector programme will receive approval for a review note.

A revised Review Note will be submitted to re-baseline the Protector RG Mk1 programme once the Defence Investment Plan has been released and the impact is understood.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact for the RAF's F-35B fleet of the reasons for the crash of a USAF F-35A on 28 January 2025.

The RAF has a comprehensive Air Safety Management System, which includes learning from aircraft accident and incidents. As a F-35 Partner Nation, the UK works with the F-35 Joint Program Office to continuously improve F-35 operational effectiveness and safety.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Future Materials Campus programme.

The Future Materials Campus programme remains in an early phase of its development and we are engaging with industry to support its delivery. The programme is developing a value for money model that utilises modern methods of construction and ensures flexibility to meet future demands of the nuclear deterrent programmes.

What recent progress he has made on implementing the Mine Hunting Capability programme.

The Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme continues to deliver an advanced suite of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) into service within the Royal Navy, enabling frontline mine warfare specialists to enhance operational effectiveness. These cutting-edge autonomous mine-hunting systems are deployed by the Mine and Threat Exploitation Group for evaluation, training, and operational deployment. The comprehensive scope of the MHC programme encompasses multiple USVs, UUVs, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for identification and neutralisation, and a state-of-the-art, sovereign mine-sweeping capability. Additionally, the programme has delivered HMS STIRLING CASTLE, a dedicated support vessel designed to enhance the deployment and sustainment of autonomous systems.

What recent estimate he has made of when the export of Type 31 Arrowhead frigates to Poland will be completed.

The Polish MIECZNIK frigate programme is constructing three Arrowhead-variant frigates under licence from Babcock in Poland. This is a Polish programme and it would be inappropriate for His Majesty's Government to comment on the progress of another nation's procurement schedule.