Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on developing the resilience of UK military space systems.

This Government is taking decisive steps to enhance the UK’s ability to deter threats in space and, if necessary, protect our systems. The Strategic Defence Review reinforced this Government's commitment to increasing defence spending and strengthening the UK's space capabilities, with clear recommendations to invest in nationally separable capability to control the domain at a time and place of our choosing, global decision advantage, and space-based sensors to understand and act. Owing to the sensitive nature of UK Space Command’s mission and work, we cannot disclose details on its capabilities or assessments on the resilience of UK military space systems.

With reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a refreshed veterans’ communications strategy.

A new cross-Government Veterans’ Strategy is due to be published later this year.

With reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in establishing hybrid carrier airwings.

Hybrid Air Wings, underpinned by the Royal Navy’s approach to Maritime Aviation Transformation, represents the evolution of the Fleet Air Arm to a crewed-uncrewed mix of drones, fast jets, helicopters and one-way effectors that will deliver enhanced lethality and combat mass for North Atlantic Sea Control, Homeland Defence and Carrier and Littoral Strike. During the ongoing deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group (Operation HIGHMAST), Malloy T150 and Puma uncrewed air systems are operating alongside crewed helicopters and F-35B strike fighters, providing logistics and surveillance capabilities which release capacity of crewed aircraft to undertake more complex operational tasks. The investment decisions to support Strategic Defence Review recommendations are being developed by the Ministry of Defence and will be published in the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on building on UK membership of the US-led space coalition under Operation Olympic Defender to help ensure that NATO has an effective space policy.

The UK remains firmly committed to working with international partners and Allies through a range of international fora, including the US-led Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER. Through these partnerships we are building a shared understanding of the evolving space threats, integrating space more effectively into defence operations, and pursuing interoperability and resilience across our defence space capabilities.

With reference to page 125 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of relocating PJHQ to avoid unnecessary risks to the assured command of future UK military operations.

PJHQ's critical role in UK operations is recognised, and its resilience is constantly undergoing review in light of evolving threats. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that for operational security reasons I cannot comment on specific measures or assessments.

With reference to his Department's press notice entitled UK and Türkiye agree big step towards multi-billion-pound export of Typhoon fighter jets, published on 23 July 2025, what the timeline is for the Typhoon upgrade programme over the next 15 years.

Information regarding upgrades to the Typhoon's systems and equipment will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to page 110 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what collaboration he has sought with NATO allies on the acquisition of key armoured land platforms.

The UK’s new Defence Industrial Strategy puts international collaboration at the start, and at the heart, of procurement. Under Defence Reform, a new Director General International Collaboration and Exports has been created to help deliver this. The UK is collaborating with NATO allies on three of the British Army’s armoured land platforms: Ajax, Boxer and Challenger 3, which are all at different stages of delivery. As well as this, earlier this year the UK reaffirmed plans to partner with Germany to deliver new artillery and bridging systems under the auspices of the Trinty House Agreement. Looking further ahead, the Land Mobility Programme, which is still in its concept phase, is already actively considering options for collaboration. For example, at DSEI 25 it was announced that the UK joined the Common Armoured Vehicle System programme alongside Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Latvia, and Sweden to scope the benefits of this multinational programme. These collaborations also contribute significantly to Growth, generating billions of pounds worth of export opportunity and supporting thousands of skilled jobs at key sites across the UK.

With reference to page 53 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, how many meetings of the Defence Growth Board he has chaired in 2025.

The Defence Growth Board met on 30 July 2025. It was attended by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Business, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Permanent Secretary, the MOD interim National Armaments Director and other senior officials from Departments, and will continue to meet on a regular basis.

With reference to page 74 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on negotiating a new defence agreement with Norway.

Good progress has been made on negotiating a new defence agreement with Norway, which we plan to sign before the end of the year. This agreement will mark the start of a new strategic partnership with Norway which will build on the deal the UK secured in August to supply the Royal Norwegian Navy with at least five Type-26 frigates. It will bring the UK and Norway ever closer and strengthen both countries' national security. As members of NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force, the agreement will complement our mutual commitment to the defence of the Euro-Atlantic.

With reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, if he will publish the complex integration challenge faced by the Royal Navy’s Type 31 programme.

The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programme is experiencing inflationary pressures which are understood and remain in line with the latest plans and forecasts. The reported challenges to the T31 programme reflect this impact.

When he expects the (a) concept and (b) assessment phase of the Future Combat Air System programme to commence.

The Concept and Assessment phase began in 2021 and it is on course to be completed in 2027.

What progress he has made on the Phase 4 Enhancement to the Typhoon aircraft.

The four-Nation Phase 4 Enhancement (P4E) upgrade programme is in the System Definition de-risking phase of activity, following the signature of the System Definition Contract in 2024. Over the coming months, the four nations will agree on the final P4E capability package, which will then move into the Design, Development and Demonstration phase. Additionally, Nations have agreed to begin early design work on long lead activities, ensuring that critical path activities for P4E capability are protected.

What assessment has he made of whether the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme will meet all extant key user requirements.

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme is moving towards its Full Business Case approval in 2026 where the Key User Requirements will be formally set. The programme continues to assess how best it can meet and exceed user requirements which stretch well beyond current requirements and capabilities to meet future threat needs.

How many RAF Chinook (a) HC5, (b) HC6 and (c) HC6A variants are in service.

There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service. I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.

What recent progress he has made on implementing the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme.

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme continues to progress with our European partners and has recently entered the development phase.

If he will set out the remaining lifespan of each RAF Chinook airframe in service.

There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service. I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.

With reference to page 113 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the extent of NATO reliance on the RAF’s GUARDIAN Air Battle Management system.

The contribution of the RAF's GUARDIAN Air Battle Management system between the UK and NATO partners is key to delivering the RAF's core mission of Control of the Air. The UK GUARDIAN system currently meets all NATO interoperability requirements, including recent upgrades which have ensured continued integration into the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Command and Control (C2) network. The UK remains committed to working closely with NATO to assess and meet future requirements.

With reference to page 34 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what the scope is of mechanisms within the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership to help tackle illicit finance.

The Government pledged in its manifesto to pursue a new relationship with the EU to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO. The recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR) further reiterates this commitment and recognises that international partnerships are crucial for the UK’s security and prosperity. The Government delivered on this commitment at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May where we agreed a new and ambitious Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). Implementation of the SDP is a joint effort with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and is progressing. Since May, my Rt Hon Friend, Defence Secretary John Healey has held discussions with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, where they discussed their ambition to explore the potential for enhanced UK-EU cooperation under SAFE. In October, the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary will both meet with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, for the first UK/EU foreign and security policy dialogue under the SDP. In addition, Ministers and officials from across Government have held consultations with their EU counterparts on a range of issues, including but not limited to, tackling irregular migration and hybrid threats. We continue to work with EU counterparts to strengthen dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation across the range of issues covered in the SDP, including maritime and space security. As the Defence Secretary has previously said to this House, this Government will ensure that any UK commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value for the UK taxpayer and supports our defence goals. We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this government’s NATO First defence policy.

With reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress he has made on establishing a closer strategic defence partnership with the EU.

The Government pledged in its manifesto to pursue a new relationship with the EU to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO. The recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR) further reiterates this commitment and recognises that international partnerships are crucial for the UK’s security and prosperity. The Government delivered on this commitment at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May where we agreed a new and ambitious Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). Implementation of the SDP is a joint effort with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and is progressing. Since May, my Rt Hon Friend, Defence Secretary John Healey has held discussions with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, where they discussed their ambition to explore the potential for enhanced UK-EU cooperation under SAFE. In October, the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary will both meet with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, for the first UK/EU foreign and security policy dialogue under the SDP. In addition, Ministers and officials from across Government have held consultations with their EU counterparts on a range of issues, including but not limited to, tackling irregular migration and hybrid threats. We continue to work with EU counterparts to strengthen dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation across the range of issues covered in the SDP, including maritime and space security. As the Defence Secretary has previously said to this House, this Government will ensure that any UK commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value for the UK taxpayer and supports our defence goals. We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this government’s NATO First defence policy.

With reference to page 136 of his Department's document entitled Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in ensuring that infrastructure requirements are fully integrated into (a) capability development and (b) investment decisions.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will cohere current capabilities and future Strategic Defence Review deliverables, this includes the infrastructure which supports or enables the capability. Those capabilities and deliverables will be prioritised against force plans and published within the DIP.