Written questions by Campbell.

What discussions have been held with the Government of the Irish Republic on what increases in co-operation are required to deal with the numbers of Russian shadow fleet vessels operating in British and Irish territorial waters.

Deterring and disrupting the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for the UK, and we are working closely with our allies and partners to do so. Earlier this year the Secretary of State for Defence and the Irish Minister for Defence signed the refreshed UK-Ireland Memorandum of Understanding. Under this Memorandum of Understanding, the UK Armed Forces and the Irish Defence Forces will strengthen their maritime security cooperation to develop improved response mechanisms to maritime security incidents in British and Irish territorial waters.

Pursuant to WPQ 109064 dated 2 February 2026, when does he expect to be able to reply.

I responded to the hon. Member on 20 April 2026.

How many UK military bases in the Middle East were subjected to attack from Iranian missiles between Saturday 28 February and Saturday 7 March 2026; and how many personnel were (a) severely injured and (b) killed.

A drone strike on RAF Akrotiri resulted in no injuries or deaths. There have been no other strikes against UK military bases in the region.

What steps he has taken to ensure that air to air re-fuelling movements are not discovered on insecure aviation messaging systems.

We continually assess and utilise the appropriate means of communication to maintain operational security.

What recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of Palantir's involvement with surveillance on the protection of data of UK citizens.

Palantir has no role in the surveillance of United Kingdom (UK) citizens on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). All UK Defence data remains sovereign and under Ministry of Defence control.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Northern Ireland element of the Defence Growth Deal on (a) jobs and (b) private sector investment in areas beyond Greater Belfast.

The Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal will combine defence and wider Government investment to support companies across a number of sub-sectors that are key for defence and align with Defence’s strategic priorities. The Deal will harness NI’s defence and dual-use strengths, driving innovation and increasing competitiveness. It is anticipated to attract significant private sector investment and support hundreds of jobs across Northern Ireland.

When does he expect to be able to answer named day Question 105652 submitted on 14 January 2026 on the Ajax programme.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 104634 on Global Combat Air Programme, whether he expects the posts in the UK to be filled from existing staff in his Department or external applicants.

Currently, posts for the UK in the Global Combat Air Programme – International Government Organisation (GIGO) are filled primarily by staff from the Ministry of Defence, or other Departments when specific skills are required. The GIGO Treaty states that Personnel for the GIGO shall primarily be composed of Government officials drawn from the Parties.

What co-ordination there is between Veterans Commissioners and VALOUR support centres in providing easier access to essential care and support for veterans.

The competition for round one development funding for VALOUR Recognised Centres is currently underway. Once VALOUR Recognised Centres are established, they will be expected to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including Veterans’ Commissioners.

How much expenditure has been incurred on the Ajax programme since the decision was taken to pause it in 2025.

The Ministry of Defence has paid £46 million, in line with contractual obligations, for the Ajax programme between 23 November 2025 and 14 January 2026. It is not possible to release a breakdown of these payments as this information is considered commercially sensitive.

How many (a) UK and (b) overseas military and civilian personnel will be routinely employed at the Global Combat Air Programme International Government Organisation in Reading when it is fully operational.

The Global Combat Air Programme International Government Organisation (GIGO) is validating and refining its organisational design. Tri-nation planning for the Organisation includes a workforce of around 500 employees when fully operational. Exact numbers will fluctuate based on the programme requirements. A third of employees will come from each of Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, there will be a mixture of military and civilian employees from each nation.

What estimate he has made of the number of veterans living in Northern Ireland who are eligible for but have not yet applied to the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme.

The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme was established by the Victims Payments Regulations Act 2020 and is run by the independent Victims Payment Board, administered by on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive. Further information is available on https://www.nidirect.gov.uk The deadline for applications has been extended by two years and will now close on 31 August 2026. The scheme continues to be promoted in Northen Ireland through the veterans’ support network.

When regulatory approvals will be given to BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement to allow a joint venture for the Global Combat Air Programme to begin work.

All necessary regulatory approvals were in place ahead of the Edgewing incorporation in June.

On how many occasions army bomb disposal units were called out in Northern Ireland in the period between 1 January 2025 and 1 July 2025.

Data for the period 1 January 2025 to 1 July 2025 can be found below: Total Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) TasksTotal Conventional Munition Disposal (CMD) Tasks3419

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 75196, whether he expects the contract between GCAP International Government Organisation and Edgewing to be announced and operational by the end of 2025.

The first international Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) contract between the GCAP International Government Organisation and Edgewing is subject to ongoing Commercial Negotiations. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

Whether there were any stipulations regarding financial penalties if all 48 F - 35 fighter jets were not supplied by December 2025 in the original contract with Lockheed Martin.

The F-35 Joint Program Office orders aircraft for the F-35 Partner Nations through annual production contracts. The seven F-35B aircraft in production contract Lot 17 should have been delivered by the end of 2025. The Department anticipates four of those aircraft will slip into 2026 and be delivered by April 2026 (a three to four month delay from the original contract). There is not a financial remedy for the delivery of Lot 17 aircraft.

What steps he is taking with his US counterpart to ensure that advanced F-35 fighter jet technology is not utilised by the Chinese Government.

The Ministry of Defence works closely with the F-35 Joint Program Office to protect sensitive defence technologies associated with the F-35 programme.There are comprehensive security, counter-intelligence, and export-control arrangements in place to prevent any unauthorised access, transfer, or exploitation of advanced capabilities by third parties, including the Chinese Government.We continue to engage regularly with our US counterparts to ensure these protections remain robust, up to date, and fully aligned with our shared national-security priorities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2025 to WPQ 88205, when the remaining 7 F-35 aircraft ordered from Lockheed Martin under Tranche 1 will be delivered.

The Department expects to have received all seven F-35B aircraft ordered in Production Lot 17 by the end of April 2026.

Whether all 48 F-35 aircraft ordered from Lockheed Martin under Tranche 1 been delivered.

To date, 41 aircraft have been delivered.

What steps he is taking to ensure the Army's future participation in jobs fairs in Northern Ireland, in the context of the Army's withdrawal from a jobs fair in Londonderry in September 2025.

Improving recruitment is one of the Army’s top priorities, supported by defence. We will continue to welcome any opportunity to attend jobs fairs in Northern Ireland, and across the United Kingdom, to share the careers available to all potential recruits. Whilst we are disappointed not to have been able to attend the jobs fair event hosted on 9 September, the Department accepts the council’s decision in this matter.