Written questions by Cartlidge.

What recent discussions he has had with the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is fully engaged with NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) programme across all areas in which the UK is supporting DIANA initiatives, including strategic direction, challenge formation and rapid adoption.As the host of the European Regional Office of DIANA, the UK MOD and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office retains a close working relationship with the DIANA Executive to ensure we meet our responsibilities on duty of care to NATO International Staff living and working in the UK.

With reference to footnote 1 to table 4.8 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, published on 30 October 2024, what the (a) financial quantum, (b) relevant programme, (c) Other Government Departments involved in and (d) other relevant details of those Budget Cover Transfers are.

All of the information relating to Budget Cover Transfers for the Department is already published in the public domain in the Ministry of Defence Main Estimates Memorandum for 2024 to 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the fire at Barrow nuclear shipyard.

I refer the hon. Member to the written statement I laid in the House on 30 October 2024, HCWS176.

What assessment he has made of when Defence spending will reach 2.5% of GDP, and whether he has issued subsequent guidance to (a) Lord Robertson and (b) the external reviewers of Strategic Defence Review 2004-05.

This Government's commitment to spending 2.5% on Defence is included in the Strategic Defence Review Terms of Reference. The Review will conclude in accordance with these terms, taking into account what is deliverable and affordable.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing assistance with VAT on school fees to children of service families not currently in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance.

The Continuity of Education (CEA) scheme recognises the enormous sacrifices our military families make and aims to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by Service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. The Government remains committed to improving Service life and renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and their families. Whilst the new VAT policy does not offer any exemptions, the Government is committed to monitoring how these changes affect military families, with any potential adjustments to the scheme being considered during the next Spending Review. To protect the integrity of the allowance the Secretary of State has directed that the cap on the current rates is uprated, and CEA rates are recalculated to take into account the addition of VAT. This will ensure the Ministry of Defence continues to pay up to 90% of private school fees following the taxation changes.

What steps he plans to take to assist recipients of the Continuity of Education Allowance with payment of VAT on school fees.

The Continuity of Education (CEA) scheme recognises the enormous sacrifices our military families make and aims to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by Service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. The Government remains committed to improving Service life and renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and their families. Whilst the new VAT policy does not offer any exemptions, the Government is committed to monitoring how these changes affect military families, with any potential adjustments to the scheme being considered during the next Spending Review. To protect the integrity of the allowance the Secretary of State has directed that the cap on the current rates is uprated, and CEA rates are recalculated to take into account the addition of VAT. This will ensure the Ministry of Defence continues to pay up to 90% of private school fees following the taxation changes.

When he plans to respond to Question 8178 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, tabled by the Hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 October 2024 for answer on 14 October 2024.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the results of training flights using Watchkeeper WK450 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle systems in Estonia in August 2024.

A battery from 47th Regiment Royal Artillery successfully deployed to Estonia this August to operate the Watchkeeper system as part of Exercise ATHENA SHIELD. This was a proof-of-concept exercise to fly Watchkeeper at the latest build standard, in a strategically relevant theatre. Lessons from this deployment are still being analysed and no decisions about Watchkeeper’s future commitments have been made. While there are no current plans to permanently deploy a full Drone Regiment to Estonia, the recently updated defence roadmap with Estonia demonstrates the UK’s continuing commitment to Estonia and securing NATO’s eastern flank.

Whether he plans to undertake further drone flight tests in Estonia following the 47th Regiment Royal Artillery’s testing during August.

A battery from 47th Regiment Royal Artillery successfully deployed to Estonia this August to operate the Watchkeeper system as part of Exercise ATHENA SHIELD. This was a proof-of-concept exercise to fly Watchkeeper at the latest build standard, in a strategically relevant theatre. Lessons from this deployment are still being analysed and no decisions about Watchkeeper’s future commitments have been made. While there are no current plans to permanently deploy a full Drone Regiment to Estonia, the recently updated defence roadmap with Estonia demonstrates the UK’s continuing commitment to Estonia and securing NATO’s eastern flank.

Whether he plans to permanently deploy a drone-specialist regiment in Estonia.

A battery from 47th Regiment Royal Artillery successfully deployed to Estonia this August to operate the Watchkeeper system as part of Exercise ATHENA SHIELD. This was a proof-of-concept exercise to fly Watchkeeper at the latest build standard, in a strategically relevant theatre. Lessons from this deployment are still being analysed and no decisions about Watchkeeper’s future commitments have been made. While there are no current plans to permanently deploy a full Drone Regiment to Estonia, the recently updated defence roadmap with Estonia demonstrates the UK’s continuing commitment to Estonia and securing NATO’s eastern flank.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Army’s Watchkeeper mid-life extension programme.

Work to assess the options available to the Department regarding the Watchkeeper Mid-Life Extension programme is ongoing, as such no final assessment has been made.

What assessment he has made of whether there is capacity for UK drone production to increase in the near term.

Defence has conducted an in depth industry survey following the Ministry of Defence Drone industry day earlier this year. We have generated a considerable range of data on Defence and Supplier coherence, and the UK Supply Chain and Commercial Market which we are analysing alongside a range of inputs to understand where the UK should prioritise production capacity. Defence will continue to prioritise the development of onshore UK drone production to enhance strategic resilience by ensuring onshore production is a key metric when selecting Defence Industry partners for uncrewed system design, development and acquisition. This will be cohered through the newly established Defence Uncrewed Design Authority.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) promote and (b) participate in multi-national procurement initiatives through NATO.

Since the UK launched the NATO Multinational Procurement Initiatives on missiles and munitions alongside a total of 14 European NATO allies, we have promoted UK-led cooperative procurement opportunities on the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) and the AIM-132 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM). We continue to work with partners and allies to promote and participate in MPIs across a range of capabilities. We are engaged with relevant NATO initiatives to ensure coherence.

Whether he plans to discuss participation in joint procurement initiatives with other Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations at the next JEF summit.

The JEF by design is a collaborative effort among 10 like-minded nations, with similar interests and priorities. There are currently no JEF-badged joint procurement initiatives, nor any immediate intention to explore this avenue of co-operation, though we do not rule out the prospect of future work in this area.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 9487 on Strategic Defence Review, whether submissions to the Strategic Defence Review will be first read by (a) a human being and (b) an Artificial Intelligence tool.

The responsible use of AI is part of how Defence must work in the 21st century. We have been transparent about our ambition to exploit AI for a wide range of defence applications. Human ingenuity is at the heart of this transformative review, AI plays an important supporting role. Humans read submissions and use AI to support them in their analysis.

What contracts his Department holds with Palantir Inc.

A search for the information has now been completed within the Ministry of Defence, and I can confirm the Department holds two open contracts with Palantir Inc. The details of one of the contracts can be found below, the second contract is withheld under a UK EYES only security marking.707017452 – Palantir Enterprise Agreement – Software package and information systems.

If he will make it his policy to prioritise the UK's capability in the space sector in the forthcoming defence industrial strategy.

The Government is committed to the development of the UK's vibrant space sector which is a vital part of the economy. The Government has previously set out its intentions for space capabilities which will continue to be developed as this work evolves and informs our future strategy. Defence is identified as a key growth-driving sector in the recently published Industrial Strategy Green Paper, which is open for consultation on the Government's proposed approach until 24 November.

What estimate he has made of the per-person cost of training a regular army recruit undertaking phase one basic training including (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) logistics costs.

The average cost to train a Regular Army recruit at the Army Training Centre Pirbright is approximately £47,900. This is the estimated cost of delivering the Basic Training course, known as the Common Military Syllabus Future Soldier, which is completed by all Standard Entry recruits when they join the Army. Cost CategoryCost £thousandsNotesClothing2.0 Ammunition0.4 Trainee Pay12.2 Other Stock consumption0.5Includes ration packs and respiratorsWorkforce18.8Direct and indirect workforce costs for both military and civilian staffInfrastructure11.8Accommodation and training facilitiesAdministration Overhead2.2 Total47.9 Note: These are the latest available costings and are based on data for the financial year 2023-24.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of exporting (a) sovereign defence capabilities and (b) military satellite communications.

The UK Government continually assesses the defence export market and plays an important role in supporting industry partners with the export of UK defence equipment, including satcom capabilities, across a number of global campaigns. Ministers across Government are actively involved in these campaigns. The Government is determined to work with industry to support growth – defence will be a key sector in delivering that growth.

What discussions his Department has had with NATO on (a) planning and (b) collaboration in space.

We hold regular discussions with NATO on how the UK can support efforts to strengthen allied utilisation of the space domain. The UK actively participates in tabletop exercises and wargames, and actively contributes to NATO satellite communications projects. At Octobers meeting of NATO Defence Ministers, the UK signed up to NATO’s STARLIFT programme, that could see allies use UK launch vehicles and space ports to deploy space assets, further developing NATO’s space capabilities.