Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Will the Royal Air Force’s Protector MQ-9B be certified by the (a) civilian aviation authority and (b) the military aviation authority.

As a military registered air system, Protector RG Mk1 only requires certification by the Military Aviation Authority, who issued the Military Type Certificate for the air system in April 2025. Protector is already capable of operating in Class A and C airspace in the UK and the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the CAA and international authorities to integrate Protector globally.

On what date Ant Middleton was appointed by the Executive Council as the first Chief Cadet of the Volunteer Cadet Corps.

In November 2019, Ant Middleton was appointed as Chief Cadet and Honorary Captain in the Royal Navy’s Volunteer Cadet Corps. This ended nine months later following controversial statements made on Twitter.

What steps he is taking to increase the pan space at RAF Akrotiri in order to accommodate the increase in air assets held at the base.

There are currently no plans to expand the available ‘pan space’ at RAF Akrotiri. The Ministry of Defence is well set to expand at RAF Akrotiri should the need arise.

How many Ares vehicles will be required by an infantry platoon in the armoured role.

The Department does not release detailed information on its workforce requirements below top-level figures. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Whether he has made an assessment of the (a) immediate and (b) short-term threat posed to Taiwan by recent Chinese military activity in the region.

The Ministry of Defence pays close and persistent attention to Chinese military activity and its implications. The UK considers the Taiwan issue one that should be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. We do not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo. This includes increased Chinese assertiveness towards Taiwan.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Russian use of (a) Kinzhal and (b) Zircon missiles.

The Department is aware of and continues to monitor the impact of the Russian use of these and other missile types.

What the composition is of the UK ISTAR Force.

The current RAF UK ISTAR Force is listed below: Poseidon MRA1 RC-135W Rivet Joint Reaper (MQ-9A) Protector RG Mk1 (MQ-9B) Shadow R1 Wedgetail AEW Mk1

What AI tools are used by the Defence Equipment and Support Artificial Intelligence and Automation Centre.

Defence Equipment and Support's (DE&S) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation Team uses a range of tools and techniques to develop software and AI within Defence. Their tools and techniques evolve quickly and in line with the rapid evolution of AI technology and the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) obligations to ensure responsible use of AI. The tools used are commercially available cloud-based tools, including open source. The AI software is built on Defence's Digital Backbone (including MODCloud and Defence DevSecOps Service). DE&S make careful use of Cloud services such as Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service where appropriate. All such use is assured through Secure by Design and in line with MOD policy on AI.

What is the planned in-service date of SSN-AUKUS.

The planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces. The aim is to deliver the first UK submarines into service in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-Class vessels.

What the scope is of the TIQUILA intelligence, surveillance, tracking and reconnaissance programme.

TIQUILA is delivering Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) enabled Mini Uncrewed Air Systems (MUAS). TIQUILA will deliver Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLoS) persistent ISTAR information to Brigade Combat Teams across a wide-range of environmental and climatic conditions. This capability will support Light, Medium and Heavy manoeuvre brigades beyond visual line of sight.

What plans the Global Combat Air Programme has to use the EJ200 engine.

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is developing a new aircraft to enter service in the mid-2030s. The early flying demonstrator will utilise EJ200 engines, these engines won’t be used in the final production model.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 July 2925 to Question 68113 on Army, what assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of the prototype software defined deep recce strike complex tested in May 2025.

A thorough technical review of the progress and lessons learnt has been conducted to inform the future ASGARD development pathway. Much of the capability derived is now being exploited, including one-way effectors and networking that enables the flow of data between software and domains. The provision of Artificial Intelligence features has improved the speed at which decisions are made, increasing operational tempo, while reducing the risk to human life.

What recent progress he has made on the Land Environment tactical Communication and Information Systems programme.

The Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems (LETacCIS) programme continues to make progress. Most recently, the programme has: Delivered the Networks element of Army’s Project ASGARD, providing the Dismounted Data System to the Forward Land Forces in Estonia. Through Project CENTAUR, the programme has modernised the in-service Bowman system by increasing the geographical operating range using beyond line-of-sight systems such as satellite communications and 4/5G. Delivered into service 1360 modern software-defined radios through the Multi-Mode Radio project, providing the Field Army with a step change in interoperability and capability. Commenced a strategic reset from LETacCIS to Land Domain C4 to align with the principles set out by Army’s Project IRIS. The programme has also been upgraded from RED to AMBER in a recent independent assurance review led by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). This assessment recognises the significant progress to transform and deliver digital capability at the pace of relevance.

Whether the design of the Global Combat Air Programme requires the use of an engine with reheat capability.

The use of reheated engine in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) will depend on the final performance requirements. As the aircraft is still in the concept phase, no final decision has yet been made on whether reheat will be included.

What steps he has taken to procure an image intensifying capability for the Leupold L1A1 sight.

The Ministry of Defence does not hold Leupold L1A1 sights, therefore it has taken no steps to procure an image intensifying capability.

What the size of the budget contingency for the Dreadnought nuclear submarine programme is.

I refer the hon. Member to page 11 of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise 2025 Annual Update to Parliament, which was published on 22 May 2025. The publication is available at the following location: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/682f01c2e9440506ee95398c/20250522-Defence-Nuclear-Enterprise-2025-Annual-Update-to-Parliament-v10.pdf

With reference to the National Infrastructure & Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024/25, published on 11 August 2025, what are the funding gaps which could impact delivery of the broader capabilities required to transition the Challenger 3 platform into service as part of the Armour Main Battle Tank programme.

The mandated scope of the Challenger 3 (CR3) programme is fully funded. Current support arrangements are being reviewed to ensure CR3 can transition fully supported into service.

What were the results of the trial of the L2A1 SACTARASS.

The L2A1 SACTARASS remains in limited use by the UK Armed Forces. However, for reasons of operational security I cannot provide any details on the result of the trial.

What is the out-of-service date of the L2A1 SACTARASS.

The L2A1 SACTARASS remains in limited use by the UK Armed Forces. However, for reasons of operational security I cannot provide any details on the result of the trial.

With reference to page 27 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, who is responsible for the creation of a UK-wide Microbial Forensics Consortium.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is responsible for the creation of a UK-wide Microbial Forensics Consortium (UKMFC), as outlined in the Biological Security Strategy published on 12 June 2023. Outcome 11 of this strategy ('A strengthened national microbial forensics capability') was allocated to MOD, with delivery through the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (Dstl). The UKMFC was launched in Autumn 2024 and is OneHealth in approach comprising frontline biosurveillance laboratories from the clinical, veterinary, plant, food and aquaculture sectors across all four nations of the UK.