Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 71981 on Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the outcome of Project Hunter ahead of the commencement of Project Grayburn.

Project HUNTER was established to select a new weapon system to be employed in the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB) specialist role. Project GRAYBURN was commissioned to replace the L85 (SA80) rifle. Though two different weapons, lessons learned from Project HUNTER are being used on Project GRAYBURN to influence training, ergonomics, maintenance, sight systems, safety, suppressors, ammunition, cleaning, equipment, personnel, information, doctrine, organisation, infrastructure, and logistics.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 72208 on Unmanned Air Systems: Military Aid, on what dates were the 13 Military Aid to Civil Authority requests from 2022 to 2 September 2025 fulfilled by 2 C-UAS Wing; in what locations; and for which organisations.

I can provide some of the detail requested, however as the requests related to nationally significant events and other discreet tasks, I am withholding some information where its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. Date Location Organisation supported 24 July - 10 August 2022 Birmingham Birmingham Police 9 - 14 September 2022 Edinburgh Police Scotland 13 - 20 September 2022 London Thames Valley Police 3 - 8 May 2023 RAF Northolt Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police 8 - 14 May 2023 Liverpool Liverpool Police 15 - 17 June 2023 London Metropolitan Police 20 - 23 June 2023 London Metropolitan Police 3 - 6 June 2024 Portsmouth Hampshire Police 15 - 29 July 2024 Blenheim Palace Thames Valley Police

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 72212 on F-35 Aircraft: Nuclear Weapons, what progress he has made on integration of (a) Meteor and (b) SPEAR 3 via the F-35 Joint Program Office.

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer my predecessor gave to him on 9 June 2025 to Question 52037, and I gave to him on 8 September to Question 73567.

What progress his Department has made on the (a) Mini Uncrewed Air Systems and (b) Beyond Visual Line of Sight persistent ISTAR aspects of the TIQUILA programme.

Project TIQUILA is delivering two Uncrewed Air Systems capabilities, Eagle and Kestral, to the British Army. Both of which reached the Army’s Initial Operating Capability in April 2025.

What the full scope is of Project Keyes.

Project KEYES is a pre-concept plan to replace the L115 and L121 Sniper rifles in the early 2030s and will consider requirements as it progresses.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73614 on Challenger Tanks: Supply Chains, when trials for Challenger 3 are due to be completed ahead of acceptance of the final build standard.

The Challenger 3 trials are currently planned to conclude by the end of 2026. This timeline is subject to ongoing review by the project team to ensure it remains aligned with delivery milestones, operational requirements, and any emerging technical risk.

What the end date is of the current concept phase of Project Grayburn.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 May to Question 49814, which advised that Project GRAYBURN aims to enter its assessment phase in 2026, following completion of its concept phase.

Which units are using FV433 Bulldog vehicles; and how many each unit has.

The FV430 Bulldog series is distributed to the units below in line with the Army’s fielding plan and Defence priorities. The Department does not release detailed information on unit equipment holdings below top-level figures. I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. Unit1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers1 Armoured Medical Regiment1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment1st Battalion The Royal Welsh1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery1 Signal Regiment12 Regiment Royal Artillery14 Regiment Royal Artillery15 Signal Regiment19 Regiment Royal Artillery2 Medical Regiment2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment21 Signal Regiment22 Engineer Regiment26 Engineer Regiment3rd (United Kingdom) Division Signal Regiment3 Armoured Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery32 Regiment Royal Artillery4 Armoured Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers5 Regiment Royal Artillery5th Battalion The Rifles6 Armoured Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical EngineersHousehold Cavalry RegimentThe King’s Royal HussarsThe Queen’s Royal HussarsThe Royal Dragoon GuardsThe Royal LancersThe Royal Tank RegimentStorage FleetsIndustryTraining FleetsOperationsTotal 750

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 48996 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Decommissioning, what progress he has made on procuring a replacement for the Jackal 2 Reconnaissance Vehicle.

The Light Protected Mobility project, within the Land Mobility Programme, will determine the future Light Protected Mobility fleet. The project is in its Concept Phase, as such investment approval and procurement timelines are to be determined.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 48996 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Decommissioning, what progress he has made on procuring a replacement for the Bulldog Armoured Personnel Carrier.

The Bulldog Armoured Personnel Carrier replacement is being considered as part of the Heavy Protected Mobility project, within the Land Mobility Programme. This project is currently in the Concept Phase and investment approval and procurement timelines are yet to be determined.

How many FV433 Bulldog vehicles are in service.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 9 September 2025, to Question 74743, where it states the total number of FV433 Bulldog vehicles in service is 750.

With reference to the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, published in June 2025, what progress he has made in launching an alliance with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published in June, announced the formation of an Alliance between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVM Catapult) to leverage HVM Catapult’s cross sector experience and world-leading research and development facilities. The MOD and HVM Catapult, with Innovate UK as its sponsoring authority, are working collaboratively on the scope of the Alliance. This includes setting the vision and objectives, identifying opportunities for Defence within existing HVM Catapult programmes, developing a joint roadmap for delivery, and appointing a senior departmental sponsor to lead the work.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 48996 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Decommissioning, what progress he has made on procuring replacement for the Viking Personnel Armoured Vehicle.

Currently there are no direct replacements planned for the Viking Personnel Armoured Vehicle.

Whether he plans to procure additional Ares vehicles beyond the 93 ordered.

There are no current plans to procure additional ARES vehicles beyond the 93 ordered.

How many Afghans who (a) worked for British forces and (b) are dependents of people who worked for British forces were brought to the United Kingdom via the Afghan Response Route.

Approximately 4,500 people have been relocated or are in transit to the UK via the ARR (900 principal applicants and 3,600 eligible family members). ARR eligibility was only granted for those individuals who were previously thought to be at highest risk of targeting by the Taleban as a result of their personal details being included in the February 2022 data incident under the previous Government.. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of relocation figures by job role, including those who worked directly for British Forces, at this time.

Pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 69521 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what will be the distribution of the 93 Ares vehicles across units.

The 93 ARES platforms will be distributed in line with the Army’s fielding plan and Defence priorities.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of launching a defence growth deal in Huntingdon constituency.

On 8 September 2025, five Defence Growth Deals in Plymouth, South Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were announced. Should economic and fiscal conditions allow, the Government will consider launching more Defence Growth Deals across the UK.

With reference to his interview with the BBC on 15 August 2025 regarding a potential post-ceasefire UK military presence in Ukraine, which UK forces would be deployed to the region; and which are ready to act from day one.

As a matter of longstanding policy we do not publicly comment on the readiness levels of His Majesty's Armed Forces. This is to safeguard operational security, and that of our Service people. Planning continues to progress at pace through the UK-French led Coalition of the Willing, including at the Defence Minister and Leader-level meetings last week. The UK will continue stepping up to support Ukraine and work with our allies to secure a just and lasting peace.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of enhancing machine-speed (a) processing, (b) exploitation and (c) dissemination in order to rapidly transform raw sensor data into actionable intelligence.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) outlines the need for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to adopt automation and AI at scale, these capabilities are critical to the delivery of many of the SDR recommendations including the Digital Targeting Web. MOD exploits AI and Automation across the processing, exploitation, and dissemination process with continuous and robust assessments of the performance, reliability, and value of such capabilities. MOD will continue to integrate them in a safe and assured manner to enhance Intelligence and Targeting capability. The MOD is continuing to invest in a unified Digital Backbone designed to connect any sensor, to any effector, and to any decision-maker in real time. This infrastructure underpins a new way of operating and fielding capability, enabling data exploitation at speed and scale. At the core of this transformation is the principle of making data Exploitable by Design, ensuring it is structured, high-quality, and ready for consumption by humans, machines, and AI systems.

What funding his Department provides to BAE Systems' Falconworks programme.

The information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Our Commercial contract accounting tools only detail the BAE Systems operating company names in the contract reporting. It does not include any details of internal business structures, like the Falconworks team, within those operating companies.