Written questions by Reed.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the capability of RFA Argus to fulfil the UK's 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.

How many new Type (a) 45, (b) 26, (c) 31 and (d) 32 will enter service by 2030.

The Type 45 is already in service with no new vessels to be built.The Type 26 is forecast to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2028 with ships expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.HMS Venturer will be the first in Class of the Type 31 and is scheduled to be In Service and ready for operations by the end of the decade. All five Type 31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s.The Type 32 frigate programme remains in the concept phrase and has not yet reached the level of maturity to allow publication of a specific timetable for design and procurement.

Whether the timeline for the introduction of the Multi-Role Support Ships remains on track to meet operational requirements.

The Multi-Role Strike Ship (MRSS) programme will recapitalise the Royal Navy (RN)’s amphibious fleet, which consists of the three Bay class landing ships (RFA Lyme Bay, Mounts Bay and Cardigan Bay) and RFA Argus, which provides medical and aviation support. These vessels, which are planned to have left service by 2034, are due to be replaced by MRSS. The MRSS programme is in the concept phase and aims to deliver the first of class by 2033.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of retiring HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark on the ability of the Armed Forces to conduct amphibious operations; and how amphibious troops will undertake such operations before the planned delivery 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 the expected timeline is for the Type 32 frigate programme to move from the concept phase to design and procurement.

The Type 32 frigate programme remains in the concept phrase and has not yet reached the level of maturity to allow publication of a specific timetable for design and procurement. This is consistent with a programme of this size and complexity at this early stage in its development.

Whether frontier technologies such as (a) machine learning and (b) artificial intelligence are being used within (i) the Armed Forces and (ii) his Department to help improve workforce efficiencies.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is actively leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness across both the Armed Forces and the Department. In the business space, MOD is exploring use of informational chatbots, machine learning applications and generative AI to automate and accelerate routine business operations and policy work. We work closely with partners across Government to identify and apply best practice and understand where these tools can support workforce efficiencies. AI is also being considered for a range of military applications, including helping to accelerate operational tempo; strengthening the Force through greater mass, persistence, and reach; enabling us to operate in environments that would otherwise not be possible; removing our people from harm's way; and making our workforce more effective.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the progress of (a) the Type 26 frigate programme and (b) its delivery schedule.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with BAE Systems (BAES) to ensure the Type 26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver world-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates to replace the Type 23. Following the recent steel-cut ceremony for HMS Sheffield on 28 November 2024, five of the eight Type 26 frigates are now under construction on the Clyde. HMS Glasgow is forecast to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2028, with construction of all eight frigates expected to be completed by the mid-2030s. HMS Cardiff recently completed her float-off operation successfully and has joined HMS Glasgow in the dry dock at Scotstoun for the outfitting phase.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of retiring (a) RFA Wave Knight and (b) RFA Wave Ruler on the Royal Navy's ability to support concurrent operations involving multiple carrier strike groups.

RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler were placed into extended readiness by the previous Government, and have not been available for operations since 2022 and 2017 respectively. As such, the retirements will have no impact on available capabilities. The Royal Navy remains able to support to support concurrent operations involving multiple carrier strike groups using its four Tide Class tankers.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of reallocating funds from the decommissioning of HMS (a) Albion and (b) Bulwark to accelerate delivery of Multi-Role Support Ships.

The Multi-Role Support Ship programme is in the Concept Phase. It is funded from the Defence budget to enable the Royal Navy and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) to conduct detailed preparatory work to deliver first of class by 2033.

What steps his Department is taking to help train military personnel cyber warfare skills.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has invested significantly in developing its specialist cyber workforce by training cyber operators and planners at the Defence Cyber Academy augmented by single-Service environmentally specific training, to undertake cyber operations and increase Defence resilience. MOD has developed a Cyber Individual Training Environment (CITE) platform to allow personnel to access capability specific training, on-line training resources and a practical training environment. Cyber warfare is an integrated component of Defence exercises, recognising that cyber power is the ability to protect national interests through cyberspace that underpins our success on operations in all environments and domains.

What the projected annual operational cost savings are from the decommissioning of (a) RFA Wave Knight and (b) RFA Wave Ruler.

The Ministry of Defence currently forecasts a combined total of £4.5 million per annum for the “Base Maintenance” of RFA Wave Ruler and RFA Wave Knight.

What estimate he has made of the (a) cost of repairing and (b) savings from the early decommissioning of HMS Northumberland.

The cost of potential repairs for HMS Northumberland was estimated to be at least £120 million. The decision taken by the Secretary of State to decommission the ship early has avoided most of this cost, saving the taxpayer in the region of £105 million.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the decision to retire (a) HMS Albion, (b) HMS Bulwark, (c) HMS Northumberland, (d) RFA Wave Knight and (e) RFA Wave Ruler on the (i) training and (ii) readiness of Armed Forces personnel.

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 steps he is taking to ensure that the technological capabilities of combat brigades are effectively improved.

The Army is currently undergoing a combined programme of work to ensure that our manoeuvre forces will have the lethality, protection and mobility to fight and win against any adversary. Whilst the Army’s modernisation will continue over the next decade with a programme of investment worth billions of pounds, the future capability development priorities will be guided by the Strategic Defence Review. As part of this modernisation, Brigade Combat Teams are set to receive ground capabilities, such as the combination of AJAX, BOXER and Challenger 3, and air capabilities, such as the wider Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability and the Boeing AH-64E. In the longer term, the Army will experiment with multiplying crewed aviation mass and lethality whilst enhancing its survivability through Launched Effects. The strength of the British Army comes not just from its platforms and capabilities, but from its people, and the new Government is working to address challenges in recruitment we inherited. We have made some announcements on this area and plan to make further announcements in due course.

What steps he is taking to (a) strengthen the UK's role within NATO and (b) ensure that the UK leads in (i) European and (ii) transatlantic security.

NATO is the cornerstone of UK and Euro-Atlantic security. Our commitment to NATO is unshakeable. This Government is pursuing a ‘NATO First’ defence strategy. In response to growing threats, the Prime Minister has underlined the UK’s cast-iron commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence. Our commitment to NATO includes our nuclear deterrent and world class carriers with 5th generation combat aircraft. European security will be our foreign and defence priority. Britain must also restore trust with our closest neighbours. This includes new security and defence agreements with close allies and partners in Europe, such as Germany, our plan for an ambitious and broad-ranging UK-EU Security Pact and reinvigorating the Lancaster House Agreement with France. This work enhances cooperation between the UK and key allies that complements the wider NATO alliance.

What steps he is taking to ensure that the defence industrial base is prepared to support military readiness.

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. The strategy will deliver a better, more innovative and more resilient defence sector to support military readiness. It will enable the UK to innovate at speed and better support its Armed Forces, deter its adversaries and seize opportunities presented by the technologies of the future.

What steps he is taking to ensure that the Army has one fully deployable division; and if he will increase that capability to two divisions.

The British Army has two deployable divisions: 1 (UK) Division and 3 (UK) Division.

What steps he is taking to promote collaboration with the private sector to boost domestic production capabilities in critical defence technologies.

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. The strategy will boost capabilities in critical defence technologies and enable the UK to better collaborate with the private sector. We will develop a resilient, adaptive and collaborative defence supply chain that improves our warfighting readiness while acting as a credible deterrent, enabled by stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and industry while also helping to drive economic growth.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the F-35 programme on (a) the economy, (b) jobs, (c) technological advancement and (d) growth in the (i) aerospace and (ii) defence sectors.

The F-35B Lightning is a 5th Generation, swing-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology. Whether operating from land or onboard the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers it is a central component of the UK's Combat Air for decades to come. The unrivalled sensor, avionics and weapon employment capabilities of the platform will also undergo continual modernisation to ensure we stay ahead of emerging and proliferating threats. UK international influence is delivered through the cutting-edge expeditionary capability of the Lightning, able to rapidly deploy and integrate seamlessly with NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force, and Allies and Partners across the globe.Through Lockheed Martin and the Joint Program Office approximately 15% of every F-35 aircraft delivered globally is manufactured by UK companies. The UK is the design authority for a range of significant Lightning aircraft components, securing highly skilled jobs within the UK and providing significant economic benefit. For example, the rear fuselage, batteries, ejector seats and actuators are manufactured in the UK for the entire F-35 global fleet. This manufacturing and equipment support for the global fleet of F-35 includes over 100 UK-based Tier 1 suppliers and has created over 20,000 jobs in the UK.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the F-35 programme on the UK's (a) military capability and (b) international influence.

The F-35B Lightning is a 5th Generation, swing-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology. Whether operating from land or onboard the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers it is a central component of the UK's Combat Air for decades to come. The unrivalled sensor, avionics and weapon employment capabilities of the platform will also undergo continual modernisation to ensure we stay ahead of emerging and proliferating threats. UK international influence is delivered through the cutting-edge expeditionary capability of the Lightning, able to rapidly deploy and integrate seamlessly with NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force, and Allies and Partners across the globe.Through Lockheed Martin and the Joint Program Office approximately 15% of every F-35 aircraft delivered globally is manufactured by UK companies. The UK is the design authority for a range of significant Lightning aircraft components, securing highly skilled jobs within the UK and providing significant economic benefit. For example, the rear fuselage, batteries, ejector seats and actuators are manufactured in the UK for the entire F-35 global fleet. This manufacturing and equipment support for the global fleet of F-35 includes over 100 UK-based Tier 1 suppliers and has created over 20,000 jobs in the UK.