Written questions by Campbell.

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.

What will be the next steps following the launch of the Development Phase of the Global Combat Air Programme.

As set out in the joint statement following the Secretary of State for Defences’ meeting with H.E. Mr Nakatani Gen, Minister of Defense of Japan on 28 August 2025 “Recognising the significance of the GCAP”, the Ministers reaffirmed their personal commitment to it and to accelerating work to conclude the first international contract between the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) and industry joint venture, Edgewing, by the end of 2025.

If he will have discussions with representatives of Londonderry Port on its viability as a national maritime defence asset.

Foyle Port remains an important regional logistics hub for the Royal Navy. Foyle Port is able to provide the logistical requirements necessary for ships on operational taskings. The Royal Navy undertakes routine discussions with Foyle Port regarding the planning of ship visits for replenishment. As stated within the Strategic Defence Review, the Home Defence Programme will work with the private-sector to ensure Defence has ready access to private-sector infrastructure for operations.

With reference to his oral statement of 15 July 2025 on Afghanistan, Official Report, column 149-152, when was he first informed of the data protection breach.

As outlined in the oral statement of 15 July 2025, the Secretary of State for Defence stated that: As shadow Defence Secretary, I was initially briefed on the ARR by James Heappey, the former Armed Forces Minister, on 12 December 2023, and issued with the super-injunction at the start of that meeting.

What estimate he has made of the number of new jobs created in Northern Ireland as a result of increased defence spending.

Northern Ireland plays a crucial role in the defence of the United Kingdom, with a defence industrial base that is at the forefront of advanced manufacturing and our enduring support to Ukraine. For example, in March 2025 we announced a £1.5 billion contract for Lightweight Multirole Missiles to Ukraine, which will create 200 direct jobs in Northern Ireland with more expected to be created in the supply chain. The UK Government will set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy how we will make defence an engine for growth, ensuring that our defence spending boosts prosperity, jobs and security for working people across all the nations and regions of the UK, including in Northern Ireland.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 58165 on Unmanned Air Systems: Military Bases, whether any investigations were ongoing into drone activity in the vicinity of other security bases in the three months (a) prior to and (b) after the incidents at the bases outlined in that Answer.

The use of uncrewed aerial systems around protected areas in the UK causes a risk to life and is illegal. Such activity will be subject to thorough investigation. We are unable to release information relating to ongoing criminal investigations or operational security matters.

Whether he has ordered F35 aircraft for delivery after 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) to Question 56964 on 9 June 2025 and for Question 58351 on 12 June 2025.

How long the Global Combat Air Programme development phase is expected to last.

Work is ongoing with our GCAP Partners Japan and Italy to establish the core platform concept and set up the structures needed, ready to launch the Development Phase in 2025. The programme's ambition remains to deliver an aircraft into service from 2035, and the detailed milestones will be agreed following completion of the Concept and Assessment phase.

Whether the source of the reported drone activity near (a) RAF Lakenheath, (b) RAF Mildenhall and (c) RAF Feltwell in November 2024 has been determined.

The Ministry of Defence Police is leading the investigation into drone activity in November 2024 over RAF sites on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and we continue to work in partnership with our allies and the appropriate civilian authorities. We are unable to release information relating to the ongoing criminal investigation or operational security matters.

Whether he plans to make further changes to security arrangements at Army Reserve Centres in Northern Ireland after September 2025.

No further changes are planned to those that have been detailed previously. Work is underway to begin the transition of sites from armed guarding to physical security measures. On current planning, the first sites will transition during Summer 2025, with all sites set to complete by Summer 2027.

How many new build Chinook H-47(ER) aircraft will be supplied to the armed forces in the next four years.

The MOD's Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme will commence delivery in 2027, with fourteen H-47(ER) to be delivered within the next four years.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Gardens Scheme for veterans.

We recognise the work of the Defence Gardens Scheme, along with so many others working hard to support our Armed Forces community and make a difference to the wellbeing of veterans. The Minister for Veterans and People saw first hand the Defence Gardens Scheme on a visit earlier this year to Northern Ireland. The Office for Veterans’ Affairs works closely with many Armed Forces charities and organisations who play a vital part of the wider support system for veterans, and the Minister for Veterans and People is actively exploring ways of simplifying and cohering access to Government support, working in partnership with the charity sector, via VALOUR, which was announced on 5 May 2025.

What the key programme milestones are in the Global Combat Air Programme.

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has reached several major milestones since its launch in December 2022. In December 2023, the UK, Italy and Japan signed the "Convention on the Establishment of the Global Combat Air Programme – GCAP International Government Organisation", formalising the partnership for developing a next-generation fighter aircraft. The UK Government ratified the treaty in October 2024, and it entered into force in December 2024, enabling the creation of the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO), headquartered in Reading, UK.Also in December 2024, BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC), agreed to form a joint venture for GCAP, subject to regulatory approvals. The partners have agreed that the GIGO will let the first joint international contract during financial year 2025-26 for completion of Concept and Assessment and initial Design and Development activities.The programme's ambition remains to deliver an aircraft into service from 2035, and the detailed milestones will be agreed following completion of the Concept and Assessment phase.

What steps he plans to take to increase the numbers of Army Cadets.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds North West (Katie White) on 9 April 2025 to Question 43391.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 29418 on NATO: Finance, if he will have discussions with his NATO counterparts on the role of non-NATO countries with land borders with NATO countries in dealing with international threats.

We regularly discuss with Allies efforts to secure peace, security, and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. NATO works with numerous partners in Europe to build up their capabilities, deepen interoperability, and strengthen resilience. NATO has formal partnerships with 36 countries, many of which share a border with the Alliance. We are committed to stepping up support to partners most at risk from Russian aggression, so they are better able to protect their own sovereignty.

If he will hold discussions with his NATO counterparts on the potential merits of seeking financial contributions from non-NATO countries who are advantaged by their immediate proximity to NATO countries.

NATO partnerships are key for the Alliance in helping promote and maintain global security. They are mutually beneficial and enable NATO and partners to develop and strengthen unity on key issues, including support to Ukraine, and uphold the rules-based international order. The UK has championed NATO’s global outlook and will continue to do so. All NATO Allies have signed up to the Washington Treaty and the principle of collective defence. As part this commitment, Allies contribute to NATO’s common funding in support of the Alliance’s objectives, priorities and tasks. In line with NATO’s Defence Investment Pledge, all Allies agreed to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defence – a figure the UK has exceeded every year since 2006. We continue to encourage all Allies to do so.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20149 on Torpedoes: Procurement, how much of the cost is the through life management of the programme.

The total funds allocated for the Spearfish torpedo programme are approximately £1154 million which includes the approximate cost of £626 million for the through life management of the programme.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December to Question 16717 on Armed Forces: Cadets, what external organisations other than (a) existing cadets and (b) adult volunteers he is consulting to help expand numbers.

A discussion held in December 2024 canvassed opinion from a wide range of existing cadet advocates, including senior military leaders, Honorary Colonels, Lord Lieutenants, council leaders and representatives from education and academia, as to what activity and governance would be required to enable the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to expand cadets. Representation included all branches of MOD cadets (Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force) as expansion was considered for all. I, myself met with Honorary Colonels before Christmas, and just last week with a leading academic in this field, who led the team who published the University of Northampton study on the social and economic benefit of cadets. We have discussed how to work together to best advocate for our cadets, and I am committed to their expansion.

Which Army Reserve Centres are envisaged to require armed guarding in Northern Ireland after 2028.

Following a review of the guarding of Army Reserve Centres (ARCs) in Northern Ireland, we have concluded that an armed guard for 13 of the 15 ARCs is no longer appropriate to the current threat and does not align with the normalisation of the Army’s presence in Northern Ireland. As such, the Army is working to implement a change, via consultation, to the guarding levels of the identified 13 ARCs from armed guarding to enhanced physical security measures. The safety of personnel remains the top priority, and no sites will transition from armed guarding to physical security measures unless deemed safe to do so and with the necessary infrastructure in place. The initial phase of this work will see the first sites set to transition to the physical security guarding level by September 2025, once infrastructure enhancements are complete, with an intent to complete all sites by 2028. The two sites set to continue with armed guarding are Caw Camp and Dunmore. A briefing to interested parliamentarians will be scheduled shortly to provide further details and to answer any questions about these changes.

When he plans to launch the Global Combat Air Programme development phase of the next generation fighter aircraft.

Work is ongoing with our GCAP Partners Japan and Italy to establish the core platform concept and set up the structures needed, ready to launch the Development Phase in 2025.