Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to page 120 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what the future structure of the Air and Space Warfare Centre will be.

There are no plans to change the structure of the Air and Space Warfare Centre.

What progress has he made on exploring the use of the stratosphere with vehicles capable of carrying higher payloads for missions lasting over 6 months.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 September, to Question 76405. Options for exploring the use of the stratosphere with vehicles capable of carrying high payloads for extended period are being pursued through Project AETHER, which is in its trial phase. Following the completion of two initial trials, in September 2024 and March 2025, further opportunities in this area are subject to further trials and the continuation of planned funding for Project AETHER.

With reference to page 114 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in planning for the use of UK commercial airfields in times of crisis.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has robust plans for mobilising and deploying the Armed Forces in response to any number of events and crises, whether they take place at home and abroad. These plans are regularly reviewed, tested and exercised. As part of the planning process the MOD will identify civilian infrastructure which is deemed critical to enable and support military activity. This includes civilian airfields. The MOD routinely engages with commercial transport operators and industry associations and works closely with other Government Departments including the Department for Transport.

With reference to page 114 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what the full scope is of Typhoon upgrades for (a) radar, (b) defensive aids, (c) avionics and (d) weapons.

An assessment of the planned Typhoon upgrades is currently underway. Further information regarding upgrades to the Typhoon's systems and equipment will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to recommendation 22 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, with which NATO allies he is seeking to strengthen bilateral relations.

The UK is committed to deepening our relationship with a broad range of Allies. Pages 73-75 as well as 82 - 84 of the Strategic Defence Review provide a clear list of allies with which the UK should develop closer ties. These are: the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Poland Estonia, Norway, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithunua, The Netherlands, Romania, and Greece. This is not exhaustive; the Ministry of Defence maintains close links with all Allies in NATO.

With reference to page 112 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in improving the RAF’s (a) productivity, (b) agility and (c) adaptability.

The RAF has established, and is operating an approach which drives increased output, improved affordability and enhanced workforce effectiveness to deliver the recommendations set out in the Strategic Defence Review. Through delivery of prioritised and measured outcomes the RAF is committed to contribute to an increase in productivity, agility and adaptability. The Chief of the Air Staff's Optimise Directive is part of the RAF's productivity approach, which coheres initiatives aimed at delivering benefits across the Royal Air Force and ensuring the best use of resources.

With reference to recommendation 35 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress has he made on delivering a National Endeavour public communications campaign.

The ‘National Endeavour’ communications campaign is an enduring strategic communications campaign which aims to highlight and improve understanding of the work of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), its importance to our national security, and its contribution to our economy. This year, national and regional media coverage has included the commissioning event for HMS Agamemnon and steel cut for Dreadnought Boat 4, the launch of Team Plymouth as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, attendance by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence at HMNB Clyde to welcome submariners home from a deterrent patrol, and the first media visit to AWE Aldermaston in over a decade. We also published the DNE 2025 Annual Update to Parliament, and ‘The UK’s Nuclear Deterrent: the National Endeavour Explained’. These are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-enterprise-2025-annual-update-to-parliament/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nuclear-deterrence-factsheet/

What level of (a) cooperation, (b) coordination and (c) deconfliction takes place between UK Space Command and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

There are several cross-Government forums where capability roadmaps are discussed and developed between UK Space Command and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Most notably, this includes the new ‘One Government’ approach to Space, which looks to support the alignment of UK priorities for the Space domain. UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency (part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) have daily cooperation, coordination, and deconfliction as part of the National Space Operations Centre, a joint military and civilian organisation which coordinates civilian and military Space Domain Awareness capabilities, across multiple sites. As part of the UK Space Agency’s Unlocking Space for Government programme, which aims to harness space to improve UK public service and strengthen national security, UK Space Command and UK Space Agency recently announced funding of £500,000 towards the development of a project for new detection technology to spot lasers that adversaries may use to dazzle satellites and intercept communications.

What is the projected cost of Project Astrea in this Parliament.

Funding for the Astraea programme is included within the £15 billion investment in the sovereign nuclear warhead programme this Parliament, announced in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review. That investment also includes sustaining our current Mk4A warhead and modernising the associated infrastructure. However, I am withholding the projected cost of the Astraea programme in this Parliament for the purpose of safeguarding our national security.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of replacing the Royal Navy’s Batch 1 OPVs on retirement.

The Royal Navy constantly reviews out-of-service dates to achieve maximum availability of its platforms for operational tasking. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out-of-service dates of individual platforms. The class out-of-service date for OPV Batch 1 is 2028. The Royal Navy continues to assess its future capability requirements in accordance with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan.

What is the out-of-service date of all Royal Navy Batch 1 OPVs.

The Royal Navy constantly reviews out-of-service dates to achieve maximum availability of its platforms for operational tasking. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out-of-service dates of individual platforms. The class out-of-service date for OPV Batch 1 is 2028. The Royal Navy continues to assess its future capability requirements in accordance with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan.

What functions will be included within the National Armaments Director group.

The National Armaments Director Group was established in March 2025 and is still being designed. It currently includes five enabling organisations and four newly established areas: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)Defence SupportDefence Equipment and Support (DE&S)Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)Defence Digital (DD)International Collaboration & Exports (ICE) including UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE)Commercial & Industry (C&I) including National Shipbuilding Office (NSO)Options and Commissioning (O&C) including Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), part of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)Corporate and Shared Services including UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), The Oil and Pipelines Agency (OPA) and Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO).

With reference to Box 12 page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what (a) uncrewed surface vessels and (b) uncrewed underwater vehicles are currently in operational service with the Royal Navy.

As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025, Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing underwater threat posed by a modernising Russian submarine force. The UK’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities are central to European defence and vital to meeting the Alliance’s evolving needs.To support this, the Royal Navy will deploy a Type 26 ASW frigate force, designed to operate both uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). The Navy is accelerating the integration of these systems, building on its existing wide range of uncrewed capabilities.For operational security reasons, details of USVs and UUVs currently in active service are not publicly disclosed.

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 improve the resilience of critical infrastructure.

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 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 hybrid threats.

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 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on developing command and control at levels of classification above Secret to support UK freedom of action in space.

UK Space Command will invest in and develop a wide range of capability to enable its operations at the required classifications. For reasons of national security, we are unable to comment on projects or programmes which deliver capabilities above the OFFICIAL classification.

With reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what specialist military capabilities Special Forces provide in support of (a) the police and (b) civil authorities.

It is the longstanding policy of successive Governments not to comment on the details of the activity, personnel or capabilities of the UK Special Forces.

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 of the concern was of the aircraft certification risk for tranche one of the Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme.

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual (NISTA) Report 2024-25 referenced the Chinook H-47(Extended Range) certification risk to highlight that timely information sharing between the US and the UK was important to meeting the Programme schedule. Significant progress has been made since the publication of the NISTA report to ensure the timely release of information from the US Government. The Programme is on track to conduct flight trials in 2027, managed in association with the US Government, ahead of final certification agreement with the UK Military Aviation Authority. The NISTA report also highlighted that considerable attention and resource is being dedicated to H-47(Extended Range) certification.

With reference to recommendation 21 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on co-ordinating with other Government (a) departments and (b) agencies to prioritise the use of the defence instrument in support of (i) UK defence and (ii) wider foreign policy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State (Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry) (Mr Pollard) on 6 September 2025 to Question 70727 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).To progress the development of the strategy, the Ministry of Defence is actively engaging with all relevant Government departments. The Department is working to complete the strategy by the end of the year.This work is being led by Minister of State (Minister for the House of Lords) who is responsible for international relations and defence diplomacy.

On what date the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement with the United States was last renewed.

The most recent renewal of the 1958 Mutual Defense Agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States entered into force on 14 November 2024. The agreement is now enduring in its entirety following the removal of the 10-yearly renewal provisions.