Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether he plans to authorise any changes to the deployment of HMS Anson.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the tasks or plans for individual submarines for reasons of national security.

If he will list the counter drone capabilities that will be deployed to Cyprus.

We do not comment on specifics, however, the Government has been increasing the counter-drone capability in Cyprus since January, through the addition of 400 personnel, Typhoon and F-35 jets, air defence missiles, and radar. HMS Dragon is on the way to the region, which will provide additional capability. We will keep the situation under constant review, but I cannot say more than this for operational security reasons.

How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited Al-Udeid base in Qatar since 5 July 2024.

All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.

How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited the Al Minhad Air Base in UAE since 5 July 2024.

All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.

How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited the UK base in Oman since 5 July 2024.

All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.

How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited the UK base in Bahrain since 5 July 2024.

All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, what proportion of the £1 billion contract will be spent on delivering (a) NMH and (b) Proteus.

Given the hon. Gentleman’s former role as the Minister for Defence Procurement he will be aware of the details of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract. We have improved upon that deal, renewing and strengthening MOD’s relationship with a key industry partner. Aside from the contract to supply 23 AW149 aircraft, Leonardo have agreed that future military international orders will be built in the UK, with an increased workshare for the UK above 40%. Moreover, Leonardo have also agreed to make the United Kingdom the home of exports for the AW149, with the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade. In addition, Leonardo have agreed to make Yeovil their global centre of excellence for autonomous helicopters, building on the ongoing successful development of Project Proteus. The £1 billion deal with Leonardo for NMH does not include funding committed to Proteus. Proteus is a £60 million programme, with information on the additional funding to be published in due course.

Whether he had plans to deploy a Type 45 Destroyer to Cyprus prior to 2 March 2026.

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately. HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

Whether he has begun preparations for the deployment of HMS Dragon to Cyprus.

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately. HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

Whether DragonFire will be installed on HMS Dragon for its deployment to Cyprus.

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately. HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

What the planned length is of HMS Dragon's deployment to Cyprus.

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately. HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

Whether he held discussions with Ministers regarding the deployment of capabilities to Cyprus between 19 February and 2 March 2026.

The Defence Secretary strongly recognises the strategic importance Cyprus provides to the UK and its allies, with discussions regarding capability deployments in the region being seen as a priority for our operational interests and broader security cooperation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 February to Question 110439 on Defence: Expenditure, what the remaining 0.47% of GDP to be spent on defence in 2027-28 that will not be spent on the MOD budget will be spent on.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to him on 4 March 2026 in response to his Question 116532.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 February to Question 110439 on Defence: Expenditure, if he will itemise what the UK will spend on defence in 2027-28 that will not be defined as MOD budget expenditure.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to him on 4 March 2026 in response to his Question 116532.

Whether he plans to publish a strategy on stockpiling one-way attack drones on UK territory.

In addition to the ongoing deployment of the Callen‑Lenz Nyan One‑Way Effector with UK Forces on Operation CABRIT, the Army, supported by Defence Equipment and Support and Defence Science Technology Laboratory, is reviewing long‑term stockpile options to ensure an appropriate balance between resilience, production capacity, the ability to upgrade at pace, and maintaining a predominantly UK/European supply chain.

Whether he plans to stockpile one way attack drones on UK territory.

In addition to the ongoing deployment of the Callen‑Lenz Nyan One‑Way Effector with UK Forces on Operation CABRIT, the Army, supported by Defence Equipment and Support and Defence Science Technology Laboratory, is reviewing long‑term stockpile options to ensure an appropriate balance between resilience, production capacity, the ability to upgrade at pace, and maintaining a predominantly UK/European supply chain.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 February to Question 112837 on Navy: North Atlantic Ocean, whether the £14 million referred to is separate to the £10 million of pre-concept funding announced.

I can confirm that the £10 million is included in the £14 million pre-concept funding that has been announced.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, whether he plans to procure any further new medium-lift helicopters beyond the 23 announced.

The Army does not currently plan to procure any additional medium lift helicopters beyond the 23 already announced. As with all major capabilities, the size of the medium lift fleet will be kept under review to ensure it remains aligned with Defence planning assumptions and operational need.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Enemy weapons detector in the hands of soldiers five years early, published on 14 February 2026, what is the in service date for SONUS.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to questions 117361 and 117362 on 9 March 2026 which remain extant.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 February to Question 112837 on Navy: North Atlantic Ocean, how much money will be committed to testing and development in each remaining financial year of this Parliament.

The Defence Investment Plan, when published, will set the funding envelope for this and we will publish it shortly.