Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to the press release entitled Battlefield tactics to inspire UK fight against prison drones, published on 16 January 2026, how has he tasked prisons with learning from Ukraine's drone expertise.

We are working closely with international partners across our priorities, including lessons learnt from the battlefield to counter the threat of malicious drones. Officials are in further discussion with counterparts in Ukraine and other international allies to understand best practice and what lessons could be applied to the security of our prison estate. International companies are also encouraged to take part in ongoing challenges to industry, for example the challenge launched on behalf of the Ministry of Justice by UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) on 3 March. The challenge is looking for practical, low-collateral technologies that can safely stop hostile drones once they breach secure prison airspace. Up to £1.85 million combined funding is available across the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and other partners. As announced by the Deputy Prime Minister on his visit to Ukraine in January 2026, UKRI has committed an additional £6.5 million to help accelerate counter-drone research and development (R&D). This funding is owned and will be delivered by UKRI as part of the R&D Mission Accelerator Programme. Decisions for how this funding will be allocated are still being finalised and will be announced in due course. As well as the £1.85 million challenge led by UKDI, the Ministry of Justice has also delivered counter-drone R&D through His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre. The Counter-Drone Challenge, launched in November 2025, invited industry to find cutting-edge solutions to detect drones. Successful applicants will receive up to £60,000 funding to develop proof-of-concept systems over a 12-week period. The Ministry of Justice will continue to work with UKRI, UKDI and the wider counter-drones ecosystem to develop innovative solutions to keep our prisons secure and protect the public.

How many people have arrived against each job on the (a) Immigration Salary List and (b) the former Shortage Occupation List since 5 July 2024.

We are unable to estimate the number of workers with specific roles that have physically arrived to take up employment, but we do hold data on the numbers that have obtained visas with the intention of taking up a role.The Home Office publishes data on sponsored work visas, by occupation, in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on grants of Skilled Worker visas are published in table ‘Occ_D02’ of the Sponsored work visas by occupation and industry dataset. A visa grant does not necessarily correspond to the person arriving in the UK. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. Data is from January 2021 up to the end of September 2025.

With reference to the press release entitled Battlefield tactics to inspire UK fight against prison drones, published on 16 January 2026, what progress has he made in launching high-stakes competitions to develop technologies to help counter the scourge of illegal drones and drugs in prisons.

We are working closely with international partners across our priorities, including lessons learnt from the battlefield to counter the threat of malicious drones. Officials are in further discussion with counterparts in Ukraine and other international allies to understand best practice and what lessons could be applied to the security of our prison estate. International companies are also encouraged to take part in ongoing challenges to industry, for example the challenge launched on behalf of the Ministry of Justice by UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) on 3 March. The challenge is looking for practical, low-collateral technologies that can safely stop hostile drones once they breach secure prison airspace. Up to £1.85 million combined funding is available across the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and other partners. As announced by the Deputy Prime Minister on his visit to Ukraine in January 2026, UKRI has committed an additional £6.5 million to help accelerate counter-drone research and development (R&D). This funding is owned and will be delivered by UKRI as part of the R&D Mission Accelerator Programme. Decisions for how this funding will be allocated are still being finalised and will be announced in due course. As well as the £1.85 million challenge led by UKDI, the Ministry of Justice has also delivered counter-drone R&D through His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre. The Counter-Drone Challenge, launched in November 2025, invited industry to find cutting-edge solutions to detect drones. Successful applicants will receive up to £60,000 funding to develop proof-of-concept systems over a 12-week period. The Ministry of Justice will continue to work with UKRI, UKDI and the wider counter-drones ecosystem to develop innovative solutions to keep our prisons secure and protect the public.

What is the total number of people who have arrived to fulfil jobs on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List), since 5 July 2024.

We are unable to estimate the number of workers with specific roles that have physically arrived to take up employment, but we do hold data on the numbers that have obtained visas with the intention of taking up a role.The Home Office publishes data on sponsored work visas, by occupation, in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on grants of Skilled Worker visas are published in table ‘Occ_D02’ of the Sponsored work visas by occupation and industry dataset. A visa grant does not necessarily correspond to the person arriving in the UK. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. Data is from January 2021 up to the end of September 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of utilising the M134 minigun in a ground-based counter-Unmanned Aircraft System role.

The British Army continues to revolutionise its fighting capabilities, improving their range, persistence, precision and mass. The ability of our Armed Forces to counter the threat of highly developed uncrewed air systems is of vital importance, as is learning from ongoing conflicts as well as independent first-principle thinking. The Army is considering several ground-based countermeasures to address the threat posed by uncrewed air systems as part of work looking into future capabilities.

If he will set out how the Dismounted Data System will speed up battlefield decision-making using AI.

The Dismounted Data System (DDS) delivers reconnaissance and intelligence data to troops far faster than legacy systems, giving commanders quicker and more accurate information.It provides realtime clarity on friendly and enemy positions, reducing misidentification and the risk of friendly fire. This capability underpins the modernisation of the Army’s light role forces, allowing us to take advantage of technological developments, including the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to counter threats to our personnel.

What the trained strength is of the Royal Marines.

The latest statistics concerning UK Service personnel, including the trained strength of the Royal Marines, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2025

What assessment has he made of the potential impact of all central commands being led by the United States on NATO operations.

While the US will now command all of the Theatre Component Commands (TCC), the UK and other European allies will hold the respective Deputy Commander positions on rotation. This will give the UK insight and influence at these central commands. By focusing on the Component Commands, the US have ceded 4* command of the Joint Force Commands (JFC), which control operations in their respective areas of operations. This will allow greater 4* representation for the largest Allies and enables burden shifting to European nations, with the UK taking command of JFC Norfolk.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2026 to Question 107227 on Challenger Tanks: Exports, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Main Ground Combat System project on Challenger 3 exports.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 January 2026 to Question 107227 which remains extant. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-20/107227

Pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2026 to question 110161 on Artillery: Procurement, how the a) common design baseline and b) technical specification for the UK and Germany differs from the version of RCH155 in service in Ukraine.

Both Germany and the UK have agreed to a minor baseline modification to ensure the platform meets a common standard that satisfies each nation’s requirements. Following this, each nation will integrate its own national communications systems and secondary self-protection weapon.

What assessment has he made of the potential impact of procuring the Nightfall missile on the UK's precision fires capability.

The new ballistic missiles developed under Project Nightfall are intended to provide Ukraine with a long range-capability to counter Russian aggression as rapidly as possible. Decisions on the UK's precision strike capabilities will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

Which Type 26 frigates are scheduled to be allocated to the Royal Norwegian Navy.

I refer the hon. Member to the response to Question 108598 provided on 4 February 2026. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-27/108598

What plans he has to dispose of the SA80 family of weapons after they are replaced by a new individual weapon via Project Grayburn.

Project GRAYBURN is currently in the concept phase with the aim of identifying and understanding requirements. As part of this phase, a disposal plan is under consideration. Due to the current phase of the project and commercial sensitivities, I am unable to provide further detail at this stage.

What progress his Department has made in developing a quantum illumination capability.

Defence quantum experts within Defence Science and Technology (DST), the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) work closely with our international allies and partners in wider Government, industry and academia to support the UK’s world class expertise in quantum, and to identify and exploit the potential opportunities this developing technology can bring. Defence is a founding partner of the National Quantum Technology Programme (NQTP) and works closely with the NQTP, DSIT, Innovate UK and the UKRI quantum research activities. ‘Quantum Radar’ and ‘Quantum Illumination’ have specific meanings. In both cases the technology is immature and the potential benefits to Defence remain uncertain.However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is conducting science & technology research into Quantum Technologies more broadly. This includes a focus on clock technology to enhance timing capabilities and sensing for navigation and situational awareness. Trials have been undertaken to understand the utility this technology can offer and inform technology development. MOD is collaborating with the UK’s Quantum Ecosystem, including the Quantum sensing, Imaging and Timing (QuSIT) Hub (led by the University of Birmingham) that is researching Quantum enhanced RADAR. The particular focus and priorities of Defence research activity is classified and cannot be released for National Security reasons.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK taking command of Joint Force Command Norfolk on the UK's role as lead nation within the Joint Expeditionary Force.

The UK taking command of Joint Force Command (JFC) Norfolk will not impact the UK’s role as Framework Nation within the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the Leonardo Proteus helicopter.

I refer the hon. Member to the response to Question 101435 provided on 8 January 2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026 to question 109314 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, with reference to the Answer of 26 January 2010 to Question HL1306, what the respective positions on sovereignty were that were set out.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 109314 on 09 February 2026.

What assessment has he made of the potential impact on UK naval priorities of losing NATO’s Marcom central maritime command appointment.

The UK’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable and we continue to reinforce our role as the leading European nation in the alliance.

What aircraft do the RAF operate that are capable of deploying airborne parachute infantry at a) company, b) battalion and c) all arms battlegroup scale.

All twenty-two Atlas C1 aircrafts can be fitted with the Static Line delivery system for deploying parachute infantry at scale in a low-level static line configuration. They can also employ specialist military freefall parachuting and air dispatch of associated equipment.

How many a) RAF Typhoons and b) RAF F-35Bs are stationed at RAF Akrotiri, as at 6 February 2026.

It is longstanding policy that we do not publicly comment on exact details around operational deployments (including figures), as it would harm the capability, security and operational effectiveness of UK forces.