Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether a new competition will be started to replace Project Lily.

Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal

How many procurement orders are currently awaiting approval by the (a) Treasury and (b) Cabinet Office for a value of (i) over £1 million, (ii) £500,000 to £1 million and (iii) under £500,000 since 5 July 2024.

The Department can confirm that, as of 5 July 2024, three cases are currently awaiting approval from the Treasury, and six cases above £1 million are awaiting approval from the Cabinet Office.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many Protector RG MK1s need to be in use in order to declare Initial Operating Capability.

I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the necessary supporting requirements are in place so that it can be met at the earliest opportunity. However, in general terms, the air vehicles are but one part of the air system and therefore milestones will be achieved when requirements are met across a number of areas including; personnel force growth, infrastructure and support contracts, crew training and competence in role, and interoperability.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, if he will provide the reason that the Protector RG MK1 did not declare Initial Operating Capability.

I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the necessary supporting requirements are in place so that it can be met at the earliest opportunity. However, in general terms, the air vehicles are but one part of the air system and therefore milestones will be achieved when requirements are met across a number of areas including; personnel force growth, infrastructure and support contracts, crew training and competence in role, and interoperability.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament will be spent in each remaining financial year of this Parliament.

The Ministry of Defence's budget until financial year 2028/29 was published in the Spending Review last year and a year-by-year breakdown can be found there.

If he will publish a list of all (a) UK and (b) overseas sites currently used for long-range kinetic drone testing.

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners. I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing Project Ark Royal.

Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL have been incorporated into the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy (MATX). MATX envisages a Fleet Air Arm that is ‘uncrewed where possible; crewed where necessary,’ and will help to realise the Hybrid Air Wing recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL are no longer in use. Instead, Project VANQUISH has been established to demonstrate a short take-off and landing, jet powered Autonomous Collaborative Platform capable of operating from a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier. The project will generate evidence to inform the development of uncrewed fixed wing aircraft for operation from Royal Navy aircraft carriers without requiring the installation of Assisted Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE), subject to Defence Investment Plan decisions.

If he will publish a list of all (a) UK and (b) overseas sites currently used for long-range kinetic drone testing broken down by the maximum range of each location.

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners. I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many Protector RG MK1s are currently in use.

Sixteen Protector RG Mk1 air vehicles have been purchased by the UK, eight of which have been delivered into service, with others remaining in test and evaluation with the manufacturer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament will be spent on the procurement of uncrewed systems for the British armed forces.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including the procurement of uncrewed systems, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing Project VIXEN.

Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL have been incorporated into the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy (MATX). MATX envisages a Fleet Air Arm that is ‘uncrewed where possible; crewed where necessary,’ and will help to realise the Hybrid Air Wing recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL are no longer in use. Instead, Project VANQUISH has been established to demonstrate a short take-off and landing, jet powered Autonomous Collaborative Platform capable of operating from a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier. The project will generate evidence to inform the development of uncrewed fixed wing aircraft for operation from Royal Navy aircraft carriers without requiring the installation of Assisted Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE), subject to Defence Investment Plan decisions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much will be spent on Defence in the next Parliament.

The Government has set a clear ambition to spend 3% in the next Parliament as fiscal and economic conditions allow. The Ministry of Defence's settlement over the next Parliament has not been decided and will be considered as part of future Spending Reviews.

If he will state the reason for the termination of Project Lily.

Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal

Whether he plans to implement a new project to replace Project Lily.

Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal

Whether there is a maximum range at which long-range kinetic drones can be tested.

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners. I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, if he will publish a breakdown of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament as a percentage of GDP for each remaining year of the current Parliament.

The annual breakdown of the £270 billion is below: Year2025-262026-272027-282028-29MOD Settlement (TDEL)62.265.57173.5% of GDP2.01%2.03%2.13%2.13% The Government will be spending 2.6% of GDP on defence in 2027.

Whether the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review were fully costed on publication.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was presented to the Department by the external reviewers, who were working to the Terms of Reference that the review be deliverable and affordable within the fiscal envelope available to Defence The Department is now working on the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which will take the SDR’s strategic direction and its costed recommendations, including on capabilities, and turn that into a delivery plan to ensure we deliver an affordable programme that delivers on the SDR. Defence spending will see a major sustained increase over the next decade.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 48156 on Skynet, when the build of the Skynet 6A satellite transitioned into the testing and validation phase.

The Skynet 6 Programme continues to progress to meet Defence’s satellite communication needs. Following build and preparatory activity, the Skynet 6A satellite transitioned into the testing and validation phase in November 2025.

Whether all 62 recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review 2025 will be included in the Defence Investment Plan.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set a path for the next decade and beyond, over which Defence will be transformed. The Government accepted all 62 of the SDR’s recommendations. This is priority business, executed through a whole-of-Defence effort and driven through the reformed structures of Defence. This work is underpinned by a commitment to spend £270 billion on Defence in this Parliament, to reach 3% of GDP spend on Defence in the next Parliament, and to increase this to 3.5% by 2035. The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will turn the SDR’s vision and recommendations into an affordable delivery plan. It will highlight how the Government's historic investment in Defence will deliver warfighting readiness to deter increasing threats and drive Defence as an engine for jobs and growth.

On what cost envelope the Defence Investment Plan will report.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer the right hon. Member for Liverpool Garston (Maria Eagle) provided on 3 September 2025 to his Question 70714.