Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

When (a) SKYNET 6A and (b) SKYNET 6EC satellite communications programmes will come into service.

The Skynet 6 Programme continues to progress to meet Defence’s satellite communication needs. The build of the Skynet 6A satellite has transitioned into the testing and validation phase. The contracted in-service date is August 2026. Negotiations for the acquisition of the Enduring Capability satellites are progressing. The in-service dates will be agreed as part of that process, which remains commercial sensitive until the competition and final negotiations conclude.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a next-generation, overhead, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability with the ability to (a) sense, (b) warn of and (c) track threats in the Euro-Atlantic.

The Strategic Defence Review recommended the Ministry of Defence (MOD) should seek partners to develop a next-generation, overhead, persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability to sense, warn and track threats in the Euro-Atlantic for the purpose of air and missile defence. The Review announced a £1 Billion investment in air and missile defence of the UK. Specific decisions on the UK's Integrated Air and Missile Defence will follow through the Defence Investment Plan which is in development within the MOD and due for publication in Autumn 2025.

What estimate he has made of when the upgrade of the RAF Typhoon FGR4’s radar to CAPTOR-E will be completed.

The European Common Radar System Mk2 programme is forecast to achieve an initial operating capability on the Typhoon aircraft fleet by the end of the decade.

What assessment his Department made of the capability of the Pakistani Air Force’s Chinese-made J10C fighter plane in the context of the incident between a Pakistani Air Force J10C and Indian Air Force Rafale jets on 7 May 2025.

Defence Intelligence and the wider UK national security machinery continually monitors and assess international developments in military technology, including Fighter Aircraft, and notably in this case the exported variants, of military technology, that are sold to countries other than where they are designed and built. The recent media articles concerning alleged aerial exchanges between Pakistani and Indian fighter jets are concerning and we recognise China’s ongoing development and proliferation of its military technology.

When all RAF Typhoon FGR4 pilots will be equipped with BAE Systems’ helmet mounted symbology system.

RAF Typhoon FGR4 pilots are currently equipped with the Striker I helmet, which incorporates the BAE Systems' helmet-mounted symbology system.

On what date each batch of the Royal Air Force’s F-35B Lightning II aircraft were (a) ordered, (b) delivered and (c) scheduled to be delivered.

The F-35 programme procures aircraft through annual contracts. The first UK F-35B order was placed in 2009 and delivered in 2012. Between 2009 and 2025, the Ministry of Defence has ordered 48 F-35B aircraft, 38 of which have now been delivered. We are unable to disclose detailed delivery profiles due to commercial sensitivities.

When the UK Defence Innovation organisation will become fully operational; and who it will be led by.

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) will be up and running with an initial operating model by July 2025, transitioning to full operational capability in July 2026. It will be led by a suitably empowered Senior Civil Servant and be accountable to the National Armaments Director (NAD) and the Secretary of State for Defence for its delivery, and closely connected to relevant other Government Departments.

On what date the new National Armaments Director Group will be fully operational.

The National Armaments Director Group will become fully operational through phased implementation and will continue to mature and increase its support to operational readiness as it evolves in line with strategic priorities.Financial Year 2025-26 is a transitional year, with quarterly reform programme milestones and the bulk of the transformation expected to be complete by Financial Year 2026-27.

How the Defence and Security Accelerator is funded.

The Defence and Security Accelerator operating costs are centrally funded by the Ministry of Defence. Funding for Defence and Security innovation competitions come from the competition sponsor.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2025 to Question 52922 on Warships: Decommissioning, how much the Romanian Government paid for HMS Pembroke; and what the structure of the payments is.

HMS Pembroke was sold to the Romanian Navy in September 2023, and is currently being prepared for transfer, which is expected to take place by the end of July 2025. The Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose the financial details or payment structures of bilateral defence sales, including the transfer of HMS Pembroke to the Romanian Government, due to commercial and operational sensitivities.

What (a) questions Ukrainian personnel are asked and (b) checks on their criminal past are conducted by the UK (i) military and (ii) civilian enforcement agencies when they arrive in the UK to undergo military training as part of Operation Interflex.

The Declared Overt Polling Team (DOPT) ask questions to understand the backgrounds of Ukrainian personnel, including levels of education, where they are from, whether they experienced war crimes, lived under occupation and any military experience. The question sets are agreed by the Ukrainian General Staff and the data is owned by the Ukrainian state. As with the majority of NATO Member and Partner Forces visiting or training in the UK, Ukrainian personnel entering the UK are administered per the provisions in the Visiting Forces Act 1952 and the Partnership for Peace Status of Forces Agreement, as agreed by UK and Ukrainian Ministries of Defence. As part of these arrangements, criminal checks are not conducted.

How many innovation hubs are there across Front Line Commands.

There are currently innovation teams/hubs across all of the Commands: Air, Navy, Army, UK Strategic Command, and Space Command. The launch of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) will cohere these hubs under a new operating model which will consolidate, cohere and simplify the current Ministry of Defence structures for innovation.

Where the six new munitions factories announced in the Strategic Defence Review on 2 June 2025 will be built.

We will set out that detail in due course, but our overall munitions investment will help support jobs and growth across every nation of the UK. We already have important facilities across the UK, supporting thousands of jobs. This new investment will be used to build at least six new munitions and energetics factories across the UK, creating hundreds of skilled jobs and supporting the Government's Plan for Change by driving growth in every region and nation of the UK.

What his Department's plans are for military gap years.

As announced in the Strategic Defence Review, Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds. To support this, the Army and Navy are developing short term employment opportunities - “gap year” schemes - for young people across a variety of exciting roles that will upskill, provide apprenticeships, and a flavour of life in the Armed Forces. Full plans will be announced in due course.

How many L129A1 rifles were held by (a) the British Army, (b) the Royal Navy, excluding the Royal Marines, (c) the Royal Air Force, (d) the Royal Marines, (e) other MoD services and (f) his Department in dry storage on 28 May 2025.

I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

How many 16” L119A2 rifles were held by (a) the British Army, (b) the Royal Navy, excluding the Royal Marines, (c) the Royal Air Force, (d) the Royal Marines, (e) other MoD services and (f) his Department in dry storage on 28 May 2025.

I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

How many L119A1 rifles were held by (a) the British Army, (b) the Royal Navy, excluding the Royal Marines, (c) the Royal Air Force, (d) the Royal Marines, (e) other MoD services and (f) his Department in dry storage on 28 May 2025.

I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

How many Heckler and Koch MP5SDs were held by (a) the British Army, (b) the Royal Navy, excluding the Royal Marines, (c) the Royal Air Force, (d) the Royal Marines, (e) other MoD services and (f) his Department in dry storage on 28 May 2025.

I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

How many 10” L119A2 rifles were held by (a) the British Army, (b) the Royal Navy, excluding the Royal Marines, (c) the Royal Air Force, (d) the Royal Marines, (e) other MoD services and (f) his Department in dry storage on 28 May 2025.

I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

How many Heckler and Koch MP5A3s were held by (a) the British Army, (b) the Royal Navy, excluding the Royal Marines, (c) the Royal Air Force, (d) the Royal Marines, (e) other MoD services and (f) his Department in dry storage on 28 May 2025.

I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.