Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What his planned timeline is for the installation of the Helicopter Visual Landing Aid System across the batch 2 fleet.

The planned timeline for installation of Glamox HVLAS (Helicopter Visual Landing Aid System) to the remainder of the Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Fleet is aligned to the platform’s five Annual Recertification Maintenance Periods. An exception to this may be due to operational requirement, or if there is a funding and timing opportunity to enable the advancement of installation work. Wildcat are the Royal Navy’s cleared aircraft and HVLAS is suitable for all aircraft from Partner Nations, although limited by their size and weight.

With reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on conducting an urgent sprint review to strengthen the partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care.

There is a strong foundation of cross-Government working between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), including planning to meet the demands of warfighting and other strategic health emergencies. A series of workshops involving both the MOD and DHSC are exploring the UK’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties. The MOD is also participating in DHSC’s cross-Government Exercise PEGASUS, the national tier 1 pandemic preparedness exercise set to assess the UK’s ability to respond to a pandemic. Both activities focus on understanding system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery.

With reference to page 131 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what options private sector healthcare offers for supporting personnel in (a) maintaining and (b) recovering fighting fitness.

As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, the Ministry of Defence recognises private-sector healthcare offers options for supporting personnel in maintaining and recovering fighting fitness. Defence Medical Services commissions private healthcare treatment for Service personnel which falls outside NHS policy and provision. Bespoke private-sector healthcare pathways are also offered for some Service personnel in priority trade groups who are on NHS waiting lists for longer than 18 weeks. Additionally, the Regional Rehabilitation Unit Fast Track Scheme, in contract with a private-sector healthcare provider, delivers rapid access to high quality musculoskeletal diagnostic imaging, high quality orthopaedic specialist surgical intervention and access to an accelerated spinal care pathway.

With reference to recommendation of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what resourcing options for medical infrastructure could be drawn from (a) the NHS and (b) private finance.

The Defence Investment Plan will set out how the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will deliver the vision of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) over the next 10 years, including confirming the funding available to improve the physical and digital infrastructure of Defence Medical Services, together with medical evacuation and medical stockpiles. The SDR commits the MOD to establish a ten-year physical infrastructure plan for Defence medical by February 2026, including options for medical infrastructure drawing on the NHS and private finance.

With reference to page 131 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on making defence the employer of choice for (a) regular and (b) reserves medical staff.

The Strategic Defence Review recognises Defence must become an employer of choice for medical staff (Regular and Reserves) by offering flexible employment, education, and training—facilitated by aligning with the NHS on pay, benefits, and terms and conditions. The implementation of the Review's vision and recommendations is underway, including to ensure that pay and benefits for medical personnel are competitive with civilian healthcare roles and reviewing terms and conditions to provide greater flexibility and fairness, ensuring they reflect the unique demands of military service. The MOD is committed to the professional development of medical staff, offering access to advanced training, leadership courses, and opportunities to work in diverse and challenging environments; this is particularly relevant to reserve roles.

With reference to page 131 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on prioritising increasing shared capacity with the Department of Health and Social Care.

There is a strong foundation of cross-Government working between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), including planning to meet the demands of warfighting and other strategic health emergencies. A series of workshops involving both the MOD and DHSC are exploring the UK’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties. The MOD is also participating in DHSC’s cross-Government Exercise PEGASUS, the national tier 1 pandemic preparedness exercise set to assess the UK’s ability to respond to a pandemic. Both activities focus on understanding system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery.

With reference to page 134 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in reinvesting the proceeds from housing development on Minstry of Defence land.

The Defence Housing Strategy will set out the roadmap for how the Department will deliver a national regeneration programme for the Service Family Accommodation estate and deliver more housing of all types on Defence land identified as suitable for development. It is due to be published later this year.

If he will list the components that comprise 37% of each Typhoon aircraft assembled in the UK.

For all Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, and in line with agreed workshare arrangements, the UK leads on manufacturing the front and rear fuselage, windscreen and canopy, fin and rudder, engine bay doors, and foreplane comprising 37% of each Typhoon aircraft.

With reference to recommendation 57 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in establishing an independent review board.

The Ministry of Defence is exploring options for an independent review board to assure national health ecosystem—Defence, the NHS, and the private sector— readiness to meet the demands of warfighting and other strategic health emergencies involving Defence Medical Services.

Whether he had made recent progress on integrating Brimstone 3 onto the Protector platform.

Brimstone 3 remains in the Demonstration and Manufacture phase. Assurance testing of operational software for use on Protector is now underway.

With reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress has he made in ensuring the national health ecosystem has the (a) capacity and (b) capability to meet the needs of service personnel.

There is a strong foundation of cross-Government working between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Department of Health and Social Care, including activities focused on understanding system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery. The MOD is also exploring options for an independent review board to assure national health ecosystem—Defence, the NHS, and the private sector— readiness to meet Defence medical needs.

With reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what planning he has undertaken for the deployment of reserves in defence-related medical care.

As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises a significant proportion of Reserves work in the NHS. The deployment of Reserves in Defence medical care requires careful planning given the impact on NHS staffing. There is a strong foundation of cross-Government working between the MOD and the Department of Health and Social Care, including on planning to meet Defence medical needs and other strategic health emergencies. Work is also ongoing to understand system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery.

With reference to page 127 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of restoring staffing levels in Defence Intelligence to 2019 levels.

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 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what the Defence Medical Services pressures are that have been caused by workforce shortages.

As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, the workforce shortages and the fragility of global supply chains are pressures for Defence Medical Services and the NHS. Work is ongoing between the MOD and NHS to understand system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery to meet Defence medical needs.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Senior Responsible Officer delivery confidence assessment commentary on the timing of the in-water phase for Astute Boat 6.

HMS Agamemnon has been undertaking her in-water testing and commissioning phase at BAE Systems’ Shipyard in Barrow since October 2024. We continue to work closely with industry to deliver HMS Agamemnon by the end of 2026.

What mine counter measures vessels will be in scope to be replaced by maritime autonomous systems under the Mine Hunting Capability programme.

All existing HUNT and SANDOWN-class Mine Countermeasures Vessels are planned for retirement within the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme, as part of the transition to advanced autonomous systems. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out of service dates of individual platforms.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

The Government is committed to a successful shipbuilding and maritime technology sector. In 2024 alone, the sector contributed £3.5 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy and employed approximately 50,000 people, with a median annual wage of £42,785—well above the national average of £37,430. In addition, the recent announcement of the UK’s biggest ever warship export deal with Norway worth £10 billion will support over 4,000 UK jobs and deliver on the Government’s Plan for Change. The Government intends to publish a new Shipbuilding and Maritime Technology Action Plan to deliver the Government’s ambitions for national security and economic growth.

Whether the roll out of Ares as an infantry fighting vehicle is included within the budget for the (a) Mechanised Infantry Programme and (b) Armoured Cavalry 2025 programme.

ARES will be used to fulfil an Armoured Infantry capability. Subject to gaining the necessary approvals, the budget for ARES modifications will be met within the Armoured Cavalry programme not the Mechanised Infantry programme.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what the nature is of the (a) workforce shortages and (b) weapons testing delays under the Delivery Confidence of the Protector programme.

Personnel shortfalls were identified in both the RAF and Defence Equipment and Support delivery team constructs. Internal prioritisation activity has since occurred to mitigate shortfalls. Protector's schedule was also delayed due to the resultant review of activity after a fatal accident of a US contractor that occurred at the deployed weapons testing location in September 2023.

If he will set out the full scope of the Joint Crypt Key programme.

The Joint Crypt-Key Programme (JCKP) is Ministry of Defence-sponsored and delivered jointly with the National Cyber Security Centre.  The information requested is being withheld as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the UK Armed Forces.