Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether he plans to authorise any changes to the deployment of HMS Anson.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the tasks or plans for individual submarines for reasons of national security.

If he will list the counter drone capabilities that will be deployed to Cyprus.

We do not comment on specifics, however, the Government has been increasing the counter-drone capability in Cyprus since January, through the addition of 400 personnel, Typhoon and F-35 jets, air defence missiles, and radar. HMS Dragon is on the way to the region, which will provide additional capability. We will keep the situation under constant review, but I cannot say more than this for operational security reasons.

Whether around-the-clock staffing is in place at HMNB Portsmouth.

HM Naval Base Portsmouth operates on a continuous 24‑hour basis. Appropriate Duty Staff are in place at all times to maintain the safety, security, and operational availability of the site. He will recall from his time as a Defence Minister that for security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on specific staffing levels or detailed security arrangements at any defence establishment.

Whether the Royal Navy's Proteus programme will receive funding allocated in the Defence Investment Plan.

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

Whether DragonFire will be installed on HMS Dragon.

DragonFire is a cutting-edge Laser Directed Energy Weapon system that remains in its demonstration and evaluation phase. Under current plans, the DragonFire system will commence delivery in 2027.

How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited Al-Udeid base in Qatar since 5 July 2024.

All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.

How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited the Al Minhad Air Base in UAE since 5 July 2024.

All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.

How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited the UK base in Oman since 5 July 2024.

All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.

How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited the UK base in Bahrain since 5 July 2024.

All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, what proportion of the £1 billion contract will be spent on delivering (a) NMH and (b) Proteus.

Given the hon. Gentleman’s former role as the Minister for Defence Procurement he will be aware of the details of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract. We have improved upon that deal, renewing and strengthening MOD’s relationship with a key industry partner. Aside from the contract to supply 23 AW149 aircraft, Leonardo have agreed that future military international orders will be built in the UK, with an increased workshare for the UK above 40%. Moreover, Leonardo have also agreed to make the United Kingdom the home of exports for the AW149, with the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade. In addition, Leonardo have agreed to make Yeovil their global centre of excellence for autonomous helicopters, building on the ongoing successful development of Project Proteus. The £1 billion deal with Leonardo for NMH does not include funding committed to Proteus. Proteus is a £60 million programme, with information on the additional funding to be published in due course.

Whether he had plans to deploy a Type 45 Destroyer to Cyprus prior to 2 March 2026.

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately. HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

Whether he has begun preparations for the deployment of HMS Dragon to Cyprus.

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately. HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

Whether DragonFire will be installed on HMS Dragon for its deployment to Cyprus.

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately. HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

What the planned length is of HMS Dragon's deployment to Cyprus.

As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately. HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.

Whether he held discussions with Ministers regarding the deployment of capabilities to Cyprus between 19 February and 2 March 2026.

The Defence Secretary strongly recognises the strategic importance Cyprus provides to the UK and its allies, with discussions regarding capability deployments in the region being seen as a priority for our operational interests and broader security cooperation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 February to Question 110439 on Defence: Expenditure, what the remaining 0.47% of GDP to be spent on defence in 2027-28 that will not be spent on the MOD budget will be spent on.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to him on 4 March 2026 in response to his Question 116532.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 February to Question 110439 on Defence: Expenditure, if he will itemise what the UK will spend on defence in 2027-28 that will not be defined as MOD budget expenditure.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to him on 4 March 2026 in response to his Question 116532.

Whether he plans to publish a strategy on stockpiling one-way attack drones on UK territory.

In addition to the ongoing deployment of the Callen‑Lenz Nyan One‑Way Effector with UK Forces on Operation CABRIT, the Army, supported by Defence Equipment and Support and Defence Science Technology Laboratory, is reviewing long‑term stockpile options to ensure an appropriate balance between resilience, production capacity, the ability to upgrade at pace, and maintaining a predominantly UK/European supply chain.

Whether he plans to stockpile one way attack drones on UK territory.

In addition to the ongoing deployment of the Callen‑Lenz Nyan One‑Way Effector with UK Forces on Operation CABRIT, the Army, supported by Defence Equipment and Support and Defence Science Technology Laboratory, is reviewing long‑term stockpile options to ensure an appropriate balance between resilience, production capacity, the ability to upgrade at pace, and maintaining a predominantly UK/European supply chain.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 February to Question 112837 on Navy: North Atlantic Ocean, whether the £14 million referred to is separate to the £10 million of pre-concept funding announced.

I can confirm that the £10 million is included in the £14 million pre-concept funding that has been announced.