Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether he discussed the contract signed by his Department with Palantir on 30 December 2025 with the CEO of Palantir in his meeting in London on 28 September 2025 when the strategic partnership with Palantir was announced.

No. The internal briefing provided to the Defence Secretary ahead of the 28 September meeting referenced the subsequent Enterprise Agreement. However, it was not discussed in the meeting itself on the 28 September. This meeting related solely to the announcement of the non-binding Strategic Partnership Arrangement (SPA), which does not constitute a contract, and does not commit the Department to any programme or expenditure. The subsequent Enterprise Agreement signed on 30 December 2025 was negotiated following the SPA, through the Department’s formal commercial and governance processes, separate from the earlier SPA announcement.

How many training exercises will take place at the Land Regional Hub Oman in (a) the current financial year and (b) the next financial year.

The information requested is shown below. Financial YearNumber of Exercises2026-2732025-2602024-2512023-2442022-2322021-2222020-2102019-2002018-1912017-1802016-170 Although the Land Regional Hub was originally an Army Unit, since October 2023 it has transitioned into the Global Hub Oman (GHO), providing Land, Sea and Air capabilities. The Land Training Area titled ‘Ras Madrakah Training Area’, is part of GHO’s capabilities.

Whether he plans to increase the British Army's use of the British Army Training Unit Kenya in the (a) current and (b) next Parliament.

British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) continues to be used for both training and testing activity, including for uncrewed systems, and will remain a location for the Army’s testing of such systems throughout the current Parliament. Financial YearNumber of Exercises2015-16*32016-17*42017-1872018-1962019-2062020-2132021-2242022-2342023-2452024-254 Five exercises are scheduled to take place in each of financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27. Regarding future use of BATUK, the Defence Cooperation Agreement limits annual exercising personnel to 8,000. While the number of exercises is likely to reduce, the Army intends to shift towards fewer but larger brigade level exercises involving multiple battlegroups, rather than single battlegroup deployments. This financial year, we forecast expenditure of approximately £56 million for the conduct of military exercises and the maintenance of BATUK, with costs expected to rise to reflect the conduct of larger exercises throughout FY2026-27 and FY 2027-28. Costs beyond FY 2027-28 are not expected to diverge significantly. *Data for FY 2015-16 and 2016-17 may be incomplete due to MOD data retention policy.‑retention policy.

If he will publish all material within his Department that makes reference to Peter Mandelson.

In line with the Humble Address motion agreed on 4 February, any information regarding Mr Mandelson's appointment to, employment in, and withdrawal from, his posting as His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States will be published according to the process and provisions set out in the motion.

If Ministers in his Department will publish correspondence with Peter Mandelson between 10 February and 11 September 2025.

In line with the Humble Address motion agreed on 4 February, any information relevant to this and other questions regarding Mr Mandelson's appointment to, employment in, and withdrawal from, his posting as His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States will be published according to the process and provisions set out in the motion.

Whether he plans to procure a replacement for the Hawk jet trainer from a British company.

A plan to replace these aircraft will be detailed in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. All elements of this work, including the aircraft replacement, are progressing together. All decisions on future procurements will be made as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2025 to Question 98834 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, if he will list the individual capabilities that form Atlantic Bastion.

Atlantic Bastion combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force that will see ships, submarines, aircraft and uncrewed vessels connected. The scope of the capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion remains dependent on the Defence Investment Plan.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2025 to Question 98834 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, whether all individual capabilities that form Atlantic Bastion will be required to reach full operating capability in order to deliver Atlantic Bastion.

Atlantic Bastion combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force that will see ships, submarines, aircraft and uncrewed vessels connected. The scope of the capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion remains dependent on the Defence Investment Plan.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2025 to Question 98834 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, whether Atlantic Bastion has a target delivery date.

Atlantic Bastion combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force that will see ships, submarines, aircraft and uncrewed vessels connected. The scope of the capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion remains dependent on the Defence Investment Plan.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2025 to Question 98834 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, how many of the capabilities that will form Atlantic Bastion are (a) new and (b) currently in service.

Atlantic Bastion combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force that will see ships, submarines, aircraft and uncrewed vessels connected. The scope of the capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion remains dependent on the Defence Investment Plan.

Whether he has issued an extension for the signing of contracts for Project Brakestop.

Under Project BRAKESTOP, 11 contracts have been placed covering development and production of prototype effectors, a bespoke warhead, test ranges and other ancillary services such as transportation and storage. Some of these contracts have been extended as necessary to support the project’s activities.

Whether the out of service date of HMS Iron Duke has changed.

As the hon. Member will recall from his time as a Defence Minister. The Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish out-of-service dates for individual Royal Navy vessels. The precise out-of-service date will be determined through balancing operational requirements, maintenance schedules, and transition to modern and world leading capabilities introduced with the Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates entering service.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December to Question 98827 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, whether the Defence Investment Plan will set the funding envelope for the full delivery of Atlantic Bastion.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), when published, will set the funding envelope for the programme. The Atlantic Bastion capability options submitted for consideration in the DIP include a blend of uncrewed systems, underwater payloads, options to increase lethality, and improvements to crewed platforms. While unable to provide detailed information owing to commercial sensitivity, there has been significant interest from industry in Atlantic Bastion, with combined Ministry of Defence and industry investment of £14 million already committed this year to testing and development. Additionally, 26 consortia from the UK and Europe have submitted proposals to develop anti-submarine sensor technology, with 20 companies from big primes to tech SMEs already showcasing technology demonstrators.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2025 to Question 98827 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, how many orders have been placed to deliver Atlantic Bastion as of 11 February 2026.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), when published, will set the funding envelope for the programme. The Atlantic Bastion capability options submitted for consideration in the DIP include a blend of uncrewed systems, underwater payloads, options to increase lethality, and improvements to crewed platforms. While unable to provide detailed information owing to commercial sensitivity, there has been significant interest from industry in Atlantic Bastion, with combined Ministry of Defence and industry investment of £14 million already committed this year to testing and development. Additionally, 26 consortia from the UK and Europe have submitted proposals to develop anti-submarine sensor technology, with 20 companies from big primes to tech SMEs already showcasing technology demonstrators.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2025 to Question 98827 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, how much of the pre-concept funding for Atlantic Bastion had been spent as of 11 February 2026.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), when published, will set the funding envelope for the programme. The Atlantic Bastion capability options submitted for consideration in the DIP include a blend of uncrewed systems, underwater payloads, options to increase lethality, and improvements to crewed platforms. While unable to provide detailed information owing to commercial sensitivity, there has been significant interest from industry in Atlantic Bastion, with combined Ministry of Defence and industry investment of £14 million already committed this year to testing and development. Additionally, 26 consortia from the UK and Europe have submitted proposals to develop anti-submarine sensor technology, with 20 companies from big primes to tech SMEs already showcasing technology demonstrators.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2025 to Question 98827 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, how many contracts have been signed to deliver Atlantic Bastion as of 11 February 2026.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), when published, will set the funding envelope for the programme. The Atlantic Bastion capability options submitted for consideration in the DIP include a blend of uncrewed systems, underwater payloads, options to increase lethality, and improvements to crewed platforms. While unable to provide detailed information owing to commercial sensitivity, there has been significant interest from industry in Atlantic Bastion, with combined Ministry of Defence and industry investment of £14 million already committed this year to testing and development. Additionally, 26 consortia from the UK and Europe have submitted proposals to develop anti-submarine sensor technology, with 20 companies from big primes to tech SMEs already showcasing technology demonstrators.

Whether the first flight trial for Project Brakestop has taken place.

The first flight trial under Project BRAKESTOP took place in December 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2026 to Question 100908 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, if he will list the contracts that have been placed.

Under Project BRAKESTOP, 11 contracts have been placed covering development and production of prototype effectors, a bespoke warhead, test ranges and other ancillary services such as transportation and storage. The entities with which these contracts have been placed cannot be named at this stage due to commercial sensitivities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 January to Question 100908 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, how many contracts have been placed.

Under Project BRAKESTOP, 11 contracts have been placed covering development and production of prototype effectors, a bespoke warhead, test ranges, and other ancillary services such as transportation and storage.

Whether (a) he or (b) any of his ministerial colleagues held discussions with representatives from Global Counsel regarding procurement contracts between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

Ministerial meetings with external organisations and the purpose of these meetings are reported quarterly online on GOV.UK.