Written questions by Cartlidge.

When he plans to respond to Question 98517 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

When he plans to respond to Question 112215 on Ministry of Defence: Procurement.

I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Whether there has been a change in the number of usable training villages at the Land Regional Hub Germany since 5 July 2024.

There has been no change in the number of usable training villages at the Land Regional Hub Germany. Currently, there are five training villages within the Sennelager Training Area, four of which are active training villages, and one which is no longer in use.

How many training villages are currently active on the Land Regional Hub Germany.

There has been no change in the number of usable training villages at the Land Regional Hub Germany. Currently, there are five training villages within the Sennelager Training Area, four of which are active training villages, and one which is no longer in use.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March to Question 116022 on Mauritius: Foreign Relations, whether (a) he and (b) any of his ministerial colleagues have met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius since August 2025.

In line with the response to Question 116022 on 6 March, despite the UK regularly engaging with the Mauritian Government, neither the Secretary of State nor any other Defence Ministers have met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius since August 2025.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, if he will list the other partners referred to.

Last week the Chancellor announced that the UK is exploring a new defence mechanism for financing driving joint demand by 2027 with the Netherlands and Finland and other EU and NATO partners. We continue to work with likeminded allies who are interested in this model.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, whether the new Task Force will advise on his Department's munitions stockpile levels.

Task Force Sabre is actively pulling in allies and industry to drive the pace on the defence kit the Middle East needs. We are bringing in British expertise to help our partners, removing barriers, and championing innovative UK-based industry. Task Force Sabre is not responsible for boosting UK munitions stockpiles, however the work that is being undertaken may give a concomitant benefit to the UK stockpiles. Details regarding Defence’s munitions stockpile are classified, and it would therefore be inappropriate to provide further commentary. However, Munition stockpile levels are actively reviewed to ensure current holdings are balanced against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with industry, allies, and partners to ensure that munitions stockpiles remain sufficient to meet the demands of current and future operations.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, how much will be spent on the purchase of Lightweight Multirole Missiles.

As announced, the UK intends to buy further Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), to supply British forces and support partners in the Gulf region.The Ministry of Defence is currently confirming price information with Industry. It is expected that a portion of the costs of purchase will fall to the UK, and a portion will fall to Gulf partner nations.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, when the new Task Force will be fully operational.

Task Force Sabre, led by Director General Options and Commissioning, was set up on the 18 March 2026. It has been created to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment. Task Force Sabre has mobilised and will continue to work closely with industry partners and Gulf states to ensure the rapid delivery of critical capabilities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 December to Question 93395 on Defence, what recent progress he has made on implementing the national conversation on defence and security.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Cabinet Office and wider Government Departments, contributing towards cross-Government efforts to increase public awareness and resilience to the most serious risks we face, including conflict scenarios. This is supported by the Prime Minister’s comments at a recent Liaison Committee Oral evidence session, highlighting the Government’s commitment to bringing both industry and the wider public into the critical conversations needed to enable national readiness.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, what is the name of the new Task Force that has been created.

Task Force Sabre, led by NAD Director General Options and Commissioning, was set up on the 18 March 2026. It has been created to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment. Task Force Sabre has mobilised and will continue to work closely with industry partners and Gulf states to ensure the rapid delivery of critical capabilities.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, whether the new finance mechanism will lead to the procurement of (a) new or (b) existing capabilities.

The finance mechanism will unlock finance and support joint procurement between partners of key capabilities, alongside providing loans to the defence industry and government to accelerate defence sector investment. The mechanism is still in development with partners.We expect the mechanism to complement existing EU, NATO and other initiatives and drives interoperability through combining financing and an aggregated demand signal to drive interoperability and interchangeability through joint procurement over time.

How many training villages are currently active on the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

There is one permanent training village at Nyati Barracks. In addition, two temporary wooden training villages are currently erected on the training areas at Lolldaiga Conservancy and Ole Naishu estate. These temporary facilities are assembled and dismantled as required and leave no permanent footprint. There has been no reduction in the number of usable training villages since 5 July 2024. These facilities are temporary and are only assembled during exercising periods, so their number naturally fluctuates. The overall capacity for temporary infrastructure on Kenyan training areas (approximately 200 wooden buildings) has remained unchanged since 2024.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, how many Lightweight Multirole Missiles will his Department procure.

I am withholding this information for reasons of safeguarding operational security.

If he will list all MOD programmes whose progress is currently measured using Minimum Deployable Capability.

While the department does not maintain a central list of MOD programmes whose progress is currently measured using Minimum Deployable Capability, it is an established approach in use by programmes using spiral acquisition. Examples include the Mine Hunting Capability programme and the Land Mobility Programme. Minimum Deployable Capability is not a specific measurement that is the same across all capabilities. It is defined on a case-by-case basis as a capability, including elements such as training, doctrine and support, that is usefully deployable and is expected to be updated via spiral development through life.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, when will the first Lightweight Multirole Missile purchased as part of this announcement be in service.

Under the terms of the announced arrangement with Thales, the UK is expected to take delivery of new Lightweight Multirole Missiles in April, after which they will enter service.

Whether there has been a reduction in the number of usable training villages at the British Army Training Unit Kenya, since 5 July 2024.

There is one permanent training village at Nyati Barracks. In addition, two temporary wooden training villages are currently erected on the training areas at Lolldaiga Conservancy and Ole Naishu estate. These temporary facilities are assembled and dismantled as required and leave no permanent footprint. There has been no reduction in the number of usable training villages since 5 July 2024. These facilities are temporary and are only assembled during exercising periods, so their number naturally fluctuates. The overall capacity for temporary infrastructure on Kenyan training areas (approximately 200 wooden buildings) has remained unchanged since 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 118816 on HMS Dragon: Lasers, when the demonstration and evaluation phase for DragonFire will conclude.

The DragonFire programme is being delivered through a new approach to procurement aimed at accelerating delivery timescales and providing the Royal Navy with novel capability sooner. This approach focuses on delivering a minimum deployable capability that can be further developed and enhanced over time.Based on a successful demonstrator trial, DragonFire was selected for acceleration into service, leading to further trials to inform the design and development of a minimum deployable capability. We are on track to install this capability on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027. Beyond this, spiral development will allow for progressive improvement of the capability.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 118816 on HMS Dragon: Lasers, how many further phases will follow the demonstration and evaluation phase for the DragonFire.

The DragonFire programme is being delivered through a new approach to procurement aimed at accelerating delivery timescales and providing the Royal Navy with novel capability sooner. This approach focuses on delivering a minimum deployable capability that can be further developed and enhanced over time.Based on a successful demonstrator trial, DragonFire was selected for acceleration into service, leading to further trials to inform the design and development of a minimum deployable capability. We are on track to install this capability on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027. Beyond this, spiral development will allow for progressive improvement of the capability.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, if he will outline the scope of the finance mechanism.

The finance mechanism will unlock finance and support joint procurement between partners of key capabilities, alongside providing loans to the defence industry and government to accelerate defence sector investment. The mechanism is still in development with partners.We expect the mechanism to complement existing EU, NATO and other initiatives and drives interoperability through combining financing and an aggregated demand signal to drive interoperability and interchangeability through joint procurement over time.