Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116533 on Ministry of Defence: Small Businesses, whether new staff have been employed to produce the SME Action Plan.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to publishing an annual SME Action Plan. The MOD's Action Plan is a key element of Defence’s work to improve opportunities for SMEs. Work led by a senior civil servant and civil servants from The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OSBG), are responsible for developing the Plan and its implementation.The forthcoming Plan will set out key priorities on procurement policy and strategy, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to SMEs is demonstrated by the new £20 million fund offering accelerated contracts to innovative UK startups with little previous MOD engagement, and our target to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028.The OSBG is engaged with SMEs to shape its delivery and ensure it reflects the practical experiences of SMEs seeking to do business with Defence. Once work on the Defence Investment Plan has concluded the plan will be published.Taken together, these measures will substantially improve the support for SMEs from HMG compared to the situation in July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116533 on Ministry of Defence: Small Businesses, whether the SME Action Plan will allocate funding to be spent with UK SMEs.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to publishing an annual SME Action Plan. The MOD's Action Plan is a key element of Defence’s work to improve opportunities for SMEs. Work led by a senior civil servant and civil servants from The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OSBG), are responsible for developing the Plan and its implementation.The forthcoming Plan will set out key priorities on procurement policy and strategy, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to SMEs is demonstrated by the new £20 million fund offering accelerated contracts to innovative UK startups with little previous MOD engagement, and our target to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028.The OSBG is engaged with SMEs to shape its delivery and ensure it reflects the practical experiences of SMEs seeking to do business with Defence. Once work on the Defence Investment Plan has concluded the plan will be published.Taken together, these measures will substantially improve the support for SMEs from HMG compared to the situation in July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116531 on Defence: Finance, what the UK's return for 2025 was.

The UK’s latest defence expenditure return for 2025 has been published by NATO and can be found here. The UK’s final update for 2025 will be submitted by the end of December once the accounts have closed and have been audited.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2026 to Question 116025 on Global Combat Air Programme: Expenditure, if he will provide an itemised breakdown of the £2 billion.

Over £2 billion has been spent on Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme (FCAS/GCAP) and the associated Team Tempest research and development programme. This can be broken down as follows: Concepting/Design – over £800 million Enablers and Infrastructure – over £60 million Technology Development and Demonstrators – over £1.4 billion

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116533 on Ministry of Defence: Small Businesses, if he will publish terms of reference for the SME Action Plan.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to publishing an annual SME Action Plan. The MOD's Action Plan is a key element of Defence’s work to improve opportunities for SMEs. Work led by a senior civil servant and civil servants from The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OSBG), are responsible for developing the Plan and its implementation.The forthcoming Plan will set out key priorities on procurement policy and strategy, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to SMEs is demonstrated by the new £20 million fund offering accelerated contracts to innovative UK startups with little previous MOD engagement, and our target to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028.The OSBG is engaged with SMEs to shape its delivery and ensure it reflects the practical experiences of SMEs seeking to do business with Defence. Once work on the Defence Investment Plan has concluded the plan will be published.Taken together, these measures will substantially improve the support for SMEs from HMG compared to the situation in July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116533 on Ministry of Defence: Small Businesses, whether the SME Action Plan will the engage with SME representatives.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to publishing an annual SME Action Plan. The MOD's Action Plan is a key element of Defence’s work to improve opportunities for SMEs. Work led by a senior civil servant and civil servants from The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OSBG), are responsible for developing the Plan and its implementation.The forthcoming Plan will set out key priorities on procurement policy and strategy, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to SMEs is demonstrated by the new £20 million fund offering accelerated contracts to innovative UK startups with little previous MOD engagement, and our target to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028.The OSBG is engaged with SMEs to shape its delivery and ensure it reflects the practical experiences of SMEs seeking to do business with Defence. Once work on the Defence Investment Plan has concluded the plan will be published.Taken together, these measures will substantially improve the support for SMEs from HMG compared to the situation in July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116533 on Ministry of Defence: Small Businesses, whether the SME Action Plan will be allocated Departmental funding.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to publishing an annual SME Action Plan. The MOD's Action Plan is a key element of Defence’s work to improve opportunities for SMEs. Work led by a senior civil servant and civil servants from The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OSBG), are responsible for developing the Plan and its implementation.The forthcoming Plan will set out key priorities on procurement policy and strategy, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to SMEs is demonstrated by the new £20 million fund offering accelerated contracts to innovative UK startups with little previous MOD engagement, and our target to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028.The OSBG is engaged with SMEs to shape its delivery and ensure it reflects the practical experiences of SMEs seeking to do business with Defence. Once work on the Defence Investment Plan has concluded the plan will be published.Taken together, these measures will substantially improve the support for SMEs from HMG compared to the situation in July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116533 on Ministry of Defence: Small Businesses, whether work on the SME Action Plan has begun.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to publishing an annual SME Action Plan. The MOD's Action Plan is a key element of Defence’s work to improve opportunities for SMEs. Work led by a senior civil servant and civil servants from The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OSBG), are responsible for developing the Plan and its implementation.The forthcoming Plan will set out key priorities on procurement policy and strategy, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to SMEs is demonstrated by the new £20 million fund offering accelerated contracts to innovative UK startups with little previous MOD engagement, and our target to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028.The OSBG is engaged with SMEs to shape its delivery and ensure it reflects the practical experiences of SMEs seeking to do business with Defence. Once work on the Defence Investment Plan has concluded the plan will be published.Taken together, these measures will substantially improve the support for SMEs from HMG compared to the situation in July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116533 on Ministry of Defence: Small Businesses, whether the SME Action Plan will be published before the Defence Investment Plan.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to publishing an annual SME Action Plan. The MOD's Action Plan is a key element of Defence’s work to improve opportunities for SMEs. Work led by a senior civil servant and civil servants from The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OSBG), are responsible for developing the Plan and its implementation.The forthcoming Plan will set out key priorities on procurement policy and strategy, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to SMEs is demonstrated by the new £20 million fund offering accelerated contracts to innovative UK startups with little previous MOD engagement, and our target to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028.The OSBG is engaged with SMEs to shape its delivery and ensure it reflects the practical experiences of SMEs seeking to do business with Defence. Once work on the Defence Investment Plan has concluded the plan will be published.Taken together, these measures will substantially improve the support for SMEs from HMG compared to the situation in July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2026 to Question 116200 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, when the early Strategic Outline Case will conclude.

Under the current Strategic Outline Case approval, the current phase is planned to report in early 2027, which will inform future choices.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026 to Question 116970 on Autonomous Weapons: Procurement, when the concept demonstration phase will conclude.

The UK concept demonstration phase of the low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is due to conclude by the end of 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116533 on Ministry of Defence: Small Businesses, who will write the SME Action Plan.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to publishing an annual SME Action Plan. The MOD's Action Plan is a key element of Defence’s work to improve opportunities for SMEs. Work led by a senior civil servant and civil servants from The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OSBG), are responsible for developing the Plan and its implementation.The forthcoming Plan will set out key priorities on procurement policy and strategy, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to SMEs is demonstrated by the new £20 million fund offering accelerated contracts to innovative UK startups with little previous MOD engagement, and our target to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028.The OSBG is engaged with SMEs to shape its delivery and ensure it reflects the practical experiences of SMEs seeking to do business with Defence. Once work on the Defence Investment Plan has concluded the plan will be published.Taken together, these measures will substantially improve the support for SMEs from HMG compared to the situation in July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116533 on Ministry of Defence: Small Businesses, who is leading the production of the SME Action Plan.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to publishing an annual SME Action Plan. The MOD's Action Plan is a key element of Defence’s work to improve opportunities for SMEs. Work led by a senior civil servant and civil servants from The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OSBG), are responsible for developing the Plan and its implementation.The forthcoming Plan will set out key priorities on procurement policy and strategy, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to SMEs is demonstrated by the new £20 million fund offering accelerated contracts to innovative UK startups with little previous MOD engagement, and our target to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028.The OSBG is engaged with SMEs to shape its delivery and ensure it reflects the practical experiences of SMEs seeking to do business with Defence. Once work on the Defence Investment Plan has concluded the plan will be published.Taken together, these measures will substantially improve the support for SMEs from HMG compared to the situation in July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2026 to Question 116025 on Global Combat Air Programme: Expenditure, how much of the £2 billion was spent on the development of the Tempest fighter jet.

The expenditure on the Future Air Combat System (FCAS)/Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has supported concept development, enablers, technology maturation and capability demonstrations to deliver FCAS, including the core aircraft central to the system through the GCAP partnership.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116531 on Defence: Finance, when the UK's return for 2027 is due.

The UK will submit its 2027 defence return at the next suitable point. NATO returns are usually required in May each year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116533 on Ministry of Defence: Small Businesses, when the SME Action Plan will be published.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to publishing an annual SME Action Plan. The MOD's Action Plan is a key element of Defence’s work to improve opportunities for SMEs. Work led by a senior civil servant and civil servants from The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OSBG), are responsible for developing the Plan and its implementation.The forthcoming Plan will set out key priorities on procurement policy and strategy, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to SMEs is demonstrated by the new £20 million fund offering accelerated contracts to innovative UK startups with little previous MOD engagement, and our target to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028.The OSBG is engaged with SMEs to shape its delivery and ensure it reflects the practical experiences of SMEs seeking to do business with Defence. Once work on the Defence Investment Plan has concluded the plan will be published.Taken together, these measures will substantially improve the support for SMEs from HMG compared to the situation in July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116531 on Defence: Finance, whether the UK's return for 2026 has been produced.

The UK will complete its 2026 defence return in line with NATO's standard annual timetable. This will be due in May 2026, and NATO generally publish the returns in late summer.

With reference to his Oral Statement of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Defence, Col 78, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the removal of his Department's video on social media of a British-run military repair facility in Ukraine on on the safety of UK personnel.

On 7 March 2026 we further highlighted our support for Ukraine through our maintenance, repair and overhaul systems facilities in Ukraine. These pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks and we are rightly proud of that support. All social and press content was approved by Ministry of Defence officials ahead of publication, but because we take security seriously, we took steps to further reassure ourselves after publication of this content.. From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will never waver in that support.

With reference to his Oral Statement of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Defence, Col 78, who issued the instruction to remove the video on social media of a British-run military repair facility in Ukraine.

On 7 March 2026 we further highlighted our support for Ukraine through our maintenance, repair and overhaul systems facilities in Ukraine. These pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks and we are rightly proud of that support. All social and press content was approved by Ministry of Defence officials ahead of publication, but because we take security seriously, we took steps to further reassure ourselves after publication of this content. From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will never waver in that support.

With reference to his Oral Statement of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Defence, Col 78, whether additional security measures were put in place following the removal of his Department's video on social media of a British-run military repair facility in Ukraine.

On 7 March 2026 we further highlighted our support for Ukraine through our maintenance, repair and overhaul systems facilities in Ukraine. These pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks and we are rightly proud of that support. All social and press content was approved by Ministry of Defence officials ahead of publication, but because we take security seriously, we took steps to further reassure ourselves after publication of this content. From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will never waver in that support.