Written questions by Reed.

Whether his Department's artificial intelligence software is Defence Writing compatible.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is exploring the use of AI in different ways to enhance productivity, efficiency and effectiveness by augmenting the capabilities of our people. The Department’s current policy requires that all outputs generated by AI systems are reviewed and adapted by our people for accuracy and to ensure compliance with MOD policies, including the Defence Writing Guide (Joint Services Publication 101).

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2024 to Question 8456 on Strategic Defence Review, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the interpretation of recommendations relating to the use of artificial intelligence by the artificial intelligence software used to assess responses to the Strategic Defence Review.

AI tools have been used to help review and analyse the high volume of submissions received during the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) process, not to make recommendations. The SDR is being led by the Reviewers, and supported by a wider team of external experts as well as drawing on the expertise of the Ministry of Defence. The vast majority of the Review has been carried out by humans. Al tools play a supporting role. enhancing the team’s ability to focus on high-value tasks, like in-depth reading and discussion of submissions, thereby facilitating a more comprehensive review, whilst being one part of the process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 July to Question 189 on Defence, what steps he is taking to consult widely with (a) serving personnel and (b) veterans.

The Strategic Defence Review is considering all aspects of Defence, involving - and receiving inputs from - other Government Departments, agencies and industry, in areas where they support UK Defence. It is to be Britain's review-not just the Government's-so the reviewers consulted serving military, veterans, MPs of all parties, industry, and academia, to support their analysis throughout the review and challenge process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2024 to Question 8456 on Strategic Defence Review, whether the artificial intelligence software being used to assess responses to the Strategic Defence Review was sourced from UK programmers down to lowest sub contract level.

The Ministry of Defence is working with several technology providers in Defence's digital ecosystem to support the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). This allowed the team to leverage modern business practices and technologies to analyse a wide range of responses. The Department has rigorous controls in place to secure and use data in accordance with regulatory and ethical guidelines, to which SDR activities, including AI, aligned.

Pursuant to his Answer of 26 July to Question 198 on Defence, what the cost to date of the Strategic Defence Review is (a) in total and (b) by category of allowance or expenditure.

On 17 July 2024, the Prime Minister commissioned the Defence Secretary to oversee the Strategic Defence Review, which is headed by three external Reviewers, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, General Sir Richard Barrons and Dr Fiona Hill CMG. The Review is being conducted with the best value for money for Defence in mind, within current budgets. Costs will be provided after the review has concluded.

Whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on (a) transporting and (b) housing illegal migrants.

The Ministry of Defence regularly liaises with the Home Office on a range of issues, but there are no plans for Defence to undertake actions in relation to migration in the UK currently outside the Afghan relocations work.

When the planners of the Strategic Defence Review were notified of the intention to retire (a) HMS Albion, (b) HMS Bulwark and (c) other assets.

The decision to formally decommission HM Ships ALBION and BULWARK reflects the decision of the last Government. This has been in full consultation with the Service Chiefs and the SDR reviewers and neither ship could realistically be put to sea again ahead of their planned decommissioning in 2032 and 2033 respectively.

How many net additional full time equivalent roles will be required to staff the Military Strategic Headquarters; and at what cost.

While the design, headcount and organisational structure of the future Military Strategic Head Quarters (MSHQ) is still in the development stage, it is expected that the establishment of the MSHQ will be cost neutral and contained within the overall Defence budget.

What steps he is taking to improve engagement with UK (a) micro, (b) small and (c) medium-sized technology companies through traditional prime contractors.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) make a vital contribution to economic growth and are a valuable source of technical innovation in defence. This is recognised in the recently published Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, as well as the Department's Social Value policies. We work with our largest suppliers through a network of their SME Champions, Trade Associations and SME representatives to ensure that SMEs have fair access to opportunities in our supply chain and that our prime contractors are adopting policies, such as fair payment practices, that support small businesses working in defence.

What steps he is taking to support the development of cyber capabilities within the defence sector through partnerships with UK (a) micro, (b) small and (c) medium-sized technology companies.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to working collaboratively with innovators in the technology sector to improve cyber capabilities across Defence. We recognise the valuable skills, technology, and pace of development in cyber, much of which is driven by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The recently published Defence Industrial Strategy - Statement of Intent acknowledges the vital contribution SMEs can offer not just in cyber but across the spectrum of capabilities. Our priority is to create new partnerships between Government and business, and as a first step we will create the Defence Industrial Joint Council with a specific objective of broadening participation, which includes the SME community. The MOD is further working closely with industry and external stakeholders in conducting a Strategic Defence Review 25 that will set the Defence Plan including the future intent for cyber.

How collaboration with (a) Ukrainian and (b) Israeli (i) hardware and (ii) software technology companies in the defence sector is informing the Strategic Defence Review.

The Strategic Defence Review is considering all aspects of Defence, involving, and receiving inputs from other Government Departments, industry and allies and partners. Throughout this process we have collaborated with a range of international counterparts to understand how UK Defence can best take advantage of the pace of commercial technological developments.

What steps he is taking to collaborate with Ukrainian (a) hardware and (b) software technology companies in the defence sector; and what lessons he has learned from that collaboration.

Since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has collaborated with both Ukrainian hardware and software technology companies in the defence sector.UK MOD is constantly assessing what lessons can be learned from all partnerships, including how close and agile partnerships can help both Ukraine and UK defence industrial capability and capacity.Details are not released publicly due to operational security.

What steps he is taking to collaborate with Israeli (a) hardware and (b) software technology companies in the defence sector; and what lessons he has learned from that collaboration..

The UK collaborates with a range of international partners, including Israel, to develop cutting-edge capabilities to assure the British Armed Forces' continued strategic advantage. Ministry of Defence officials engage regularly with their international counterparts to further the UK's interests at home and overseas, and we learn continually from our overseas partners.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the capability of Bay Class landing dock ships to fulfil the amphibious operational requirements in the absence of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark until the introduction of Multi-Role Support Ships.

The retirement of HMS Albion and Bulwark will not impact the operational programme of the Royal Marines, who continue to deploy globally. Both are currently held at lower readiness having not been to sea since 2023 and 2017 respectively. This Government inherited a position where neither was due to go to sea again before their planned out of service dates of 2033 and 2034. The Royal Marines are supported by the three Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) and RFA ARGUS, which also provides aviation support and can act as a casualty receiving ship. These ships will continue to support amphibious capability until they are succeeded by planned Multi Role Support Ships.

What discussions his Department has had with NATO allies on the potential impact of the retirement of naval assets on the UK's ability to contribute to NATO operations.

NATO remains the cornerstone of UK Defence. As such, the Royal Navy continues to make and fulfil a leading contribution to NATO. The retirement of naval assets announced by the Secretary of State on 20 November has no impact on current commitments. The Strategic Defence Review will look at enhancing the UK’s contribution to NATO and sustaining a “NATO first” defence policy, while protecting vital UK sovereign requirements and strategic reach.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the UK's ability to form a fully operational Carrier Strike Group; and how often that Group could be deployed globally.

The UK remains robust in its ability to form a fully operational Carrier Strike Group (CSG). This has been evidenced in 2024 by the UK CSG involvement in Exercise STRIKE WARRIOR and participation in the NATO Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER. This will be further evidenced by the upcoming deployment of the CSG in 2025 to the Indo-Pacific. One Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier and all supporting units are always available at the required notice to deploy globally whenever there is an operational need. The appropriate force generation, training, integration, maintenance, assurance and currency of these units is a continuous process to ensure their availability for deployment.

What discussions his Department has had with the (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on the (i) development and (ii) procurement of digital capabilities for national security.

The Ministry of Defence routinely works with colleagues in the National Security community, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Cabinet Office on the development and procurement of digital capabilities for National Security. All of which is fully consistent and aligns with the Government’s approach to transforming for a Digital Future.

With reference to his oral evidence of 21 November 2024 to the Defence Select Committee, HC 345, what steps he is taking to ensure the planned deployments of (a) HMS Queen Elizabeth and (b) HMS Prince of Wales take place as scheduled in 2025.

The Ministry of Defence remains committed to deploying HMS Prince of Wales as part of the Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2025. It would be inappropriate to discuss other planned deployments as to do so could compromise operational security.

What the status is of each of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers.

As of 2 December, two Type 45 destroyers are immediately available. The remaining four are in various stages of refit and are therefore not available for operations. The normal operating cycle of every ship involves them entering different readiness levels depending on their programmes, periods of refit and Departmental planning requirements. This is carefully managed to ensure the Royal Navy has sufficient assets available to deliver concurrent operational outputs, both in the UK and around the globe; whilst also sustaining longer term availability to meet changing defence demands in an uncertain world.

What estimate he has made of the costs of maintaining (a) HMS Queen Elizabeth and (b) HMS Prince of Wales over the next five years.

The costs of maintaining both Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are factored into Departmental spend. These vary year on year according to generation cycle of each ship, changing equipment enhancement and capability insertions.