Written questions by Reed.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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 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 (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 her Department is taking to (a) encourage (i) investment in infrastructure and (ii) economic growth and (b) support local businesses in Exmouth and Exeter East constituency.

As part of the Budget, this Government announced an over £100 billion increase in departmental capital investment over the next five years compared to plans the government inherited.The government has committed £640 million in Bus Service Improvement Plan funding to improve bus services; £650 million of funding for local transport beyond our city-regions to improve connectivity in towns, villages and rural areas; and support for the first round of electrolytic hydrogen production projects, including a first of its kind project in Devon. This government has confirmed the establishment of a County Combined Authority in Devon and Torbay, giving local leaders the power to make decisions that benefit their communities, boosting economic growth and driving reform. We are encouraging local leaders in Devon and Torbay to deepen and widen their existing devolution agreements and take strides towards mayoral devolution as a gold standardAlongside this, the government set out plans for the 10-year infrastructure strategy. This will boost investment and growth in the South West and across the country, providing certainty and stability for the supply chain, and helping to unlock private investment. To give businesses the certainty and stability to invest, the Government is developing a modern industrial strategy and creating the National Wealth Fund to support its delivery and mobilise billions of pounds of investment in the UK’s growth industries. The Government owned British Business Bank is also investing over £1billion through their regional Investment Fund programmes, supporting growing businesses across Devon.

What steps she is taking to support SMEs in the (a) technology and (b) research and development sectors, in the context of the Autumn Budget 2024.

At Budget, Government protected record levels of investment with £20.4bn for R&D in 2025/26, on top of support provided through the tax system. The government is supporting commercialisation of our world-class university research by providing at least £40 million over 5 years for proof-of-concept funding and improvements to support for researchers spinning out the UK’s cutting-edge research into firms of the future.We also announced that we are extending Made Smarter Innovation with up to £37m funding, and funding for the Made Smarter Adoption programme will double to £16 million in 2025-26, supporting more small manufacturing businesses to adopt advanced digital technologies and enabling the programme to be expanded to all nine English regions.Furthermore, the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce will be extended and will produce an interim report early in 2025 with practical steps and recommendations to enhance SME adoption of digital technology using insights from local and international experiences. To further support small businesses, DBT will shortly be announcing details on a £4m pilots package to encourage tech adoption for SMEs.

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.