Written questions by Cartlidge.

What efficiency savings targets does his Department have for financial year (a) 2026-27 and (b) 2027-28.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has agreed efficiency targets with His Majesty's Treasury for 2026-27 and 2027-28, as set out in the Spending Review 2025 and the Departmental Efficiency Plans policy paper, published 11 June 2025. Further efficiencies, were included in the Strategic Defence Review. As part of routine financial management, the MOD continues to allocate resources effectively to meet departmental and operational priorities. The Department's final position for 2025-26 will be set out in the Annual Report and Accounts.

How much will be spent on (a) core defence and (b) NATO qualifying defence spend in financial year (i) 2027-28 and (ii) 2028-29.

As the hon. Member will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish forecast figures. The UK's defence spending figures for 2027-28 and 2028-29 will be published by NATO in due course.

Whether he has discussed the Global Combat Air Programme with his (a) Swedish, (b) Polish, (c) Canadian, (d) Australian, (e) Saudi Arabian and (f) Singaporean counterpart.

As part of the Ministry of Defence’s close working relationship with HMT, the Chancellor and the Defence Secretary, as well as other Ministers and officials, regularly discuss many of the Department’s largest programmes. These discussions can include the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues. We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.

Whether he has held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the cost of delivering the Global Combat Air Programme.

As part of the Ministry of Defence’s close working relationship with HMT, the Chancellor and the Defence Secretary, as well as other Ministers and officials, regularly discuss many of the Department’s largest programmes. These discussions can include the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues. We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 119387 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, whether he has ordered any Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air missiles since 5 July 2024.

I can confirm the Ministry of Defence has placed orders for Aster, Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Lightweight Multirole Missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System missiles since 5 July 2024. Deliveries of Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles, which are used by the Land Ceptor system, continue under an extant contract. As a former Defence Minister, the hon. Member will understand that I am withholding further details, including quantities ordered and delivered, for reasons of operational security.

Whether (a) he or (b) any ministers in his department have held discussions with any nations excluding Italy and Japan on the Global Combat Air Programme.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues. We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 December to Question 98837 on Cruise Missiles, what were the findings of the Review Note to be submitted in Quarter 1 2026.

The SPEAR Capability 3 Review Note, which was subject to an extended consultation phase, has now been submitted and is under consideration by the approval authority. Fielding this critical F-35 warfighting capability is targeted within the joint programme from financial year 2028-29; spiral capability upgrades across the programme life cycle will occur thereafter.

How much will be spent on (a) core defence and (b) NATO qualifying defence spend in the current financial year as a cash figure.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) on 16 April 2026 to Question 124427.

With reference to the press release entitled New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost job as UK and France reboot defence relationship, published on 9 July 2025, when the 50,000 strong combined joint force will reach full operational capability.

Following the UK-France Lancaster House 2.0 declaration in July 2025, the Ministry of Defence regularly engages with French counterparts on detailed planning for the Combined Joint Force (CJF). We are working together to define the timeline for establishing the CJF and reaching full operational capability.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, what is the total cost of the upgrade to the Sea Viper missile system.

The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, what is the total remaining cost of the upgrade to the Sea Viper missile system.

The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, how much of the £405 million committed to upgrading the Sea Viper missile system had been spent on 13 April 2026.

The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.

Whether there has been a reduction in the number of usable training villages at the Global Hub Oman since 5 July 2024.

The facility continues to have three usable training villages.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Veterans and People during the debate on Defence of 24 March 2026, Official Report, column 267, when the 20 uncrewed surface ordered will be in service with the armed forces.

As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.

Whether the safety investigation into the Ajax programme has concluded.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).

Whether the Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme has concluded.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).

With reference to page 12 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, if he will list the partners with whom the United Kingdom will build societal resilience.

The Ministry of Defence is working closely with our allies and partners to learn from their experience in building societal resilience and homeland defence. The Ministry of Defence does not intend to provide a list of these allies and partners, as doing so could unnecessarily constrain the expansive range of partnerships we seek to develop as part of our efforts to build the UK's societal resilience.

Whether he will present the findings from the Defence Accident Investigation Branch investigation on the Ajax programme to Parliament.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).

With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Veterans and People during the debate on Defence of 24 March 2026, Official Report, column 267, when was the contract for the 20 uncrewed surface vessels signed.

As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.

When he plans to present the Army investigation on the Ajax programme.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).