Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, what will the new surface-to-air weapon be called.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. No project name has yet been allocated and the name of the weapon system will depend on which proposal is taken forward into production.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, whether the new surface-to-air missile will be assessed using Minimum Deployable Capability.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. The new weapon system will be introduced through the spiral acquisition model, delivering a Minimum Deployable Capability followed by iterative enhancements.

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, when the first new medium-lift helicopter will be in service.

The £1 billion New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract secures thousands of skilled British jobs, boosts the UK Armed Forces’ capability and makes Britain Leonardo’s global centre for military helicopter production and exports – worth a potential £15 billion over the next decade. The NMH Entry Into Service is expected in January 2031, with the first aircraft delivered in the summer of 2030. The final aircraft is expected to be delivered in the autumn of 2033, which is also when the equipment acquisition contract is expected to end. The financial profile for NMH has not changed since the release of the Invitation To Negotiate in February 2024. Approximately one third of the contract value is expected to be accounted for over the next three Financial Years.

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 is his target date for the delivery of all 23 new medium-lift helicopters.

The £1 billion New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract secures thousands of skilled British jobs, boosts the UK Armed Forces’ capability and makes Britain Leonardo’s global centre for military helicopter production and exports – worth a potential £15 billion over the next decade. The NMH Entry Into Service is expected in January 2031, with the first aircraft delivered in the summer of 2030. The final aircraft is expected to be delivered in the autumn of 2033, which is also when the equipment acquisition contract is expected to end. The financial profile for NMH has not changed since the release of the Invitation To Negotiate in February 2024. Approximately one third of the contract value is expected to be accounted for over the next three Financial Years.

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, how much of the £1 billion announced will be spent in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

The £1 billion New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract secures thousands of skilled British jobs, boosts the UK Armed Forces’ capability and makes Britain Leonardo’s global centre for military helicopter production and exports – worth a potential £15 billion over the next decade. The NMH Entry Into Service is expected in January 2031, with the first aircraft delivered in the summer of 2030. The final aircraft is expected to be delivered in the autumn of 2033, which is also when the equipment acquisition contract is expected to end. The financial profile for NMH has not changed since the release of the Invitation To Negotiate in February 2024. Approximately one third of the contract value is expected to be accounted for over the next three Financial Years.

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, in which year will the £1 billion contract conclude.

The £1 billion New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract secures thousands of skilled British jobs, boosts the UK Armed Forces’ capability and makes Britain Leonardo’s global centre for military helicopter production and exports – worth a potential £15 billion over the next decade. The NMH Entry Into Service is expected in January 2031, with the first aircraft delivered in the summer of 2030. The final aircraft is expected to be delivered in the autumn of 2033, which is also when the equipment acquisition contract is expected to end. The financial profile for NMH has not changed since the release of the Invitation To Negotiate in February 2024. Approximately one third of the contract value is expected to be accounted for over the next three Financial Years.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, if he will list all possible capabilities developed under the Low-Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms initiative.

The LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is likely to consist of a range of projects in the future, the first of these is a low-cost air defence effector. No other projects under the LEAP initiative have currently been agreed.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, what percentage of the workshare for the new surface-to-air weapon will take place in the United Kingdom.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare will be dependent on the chosen solution.

What has been the total cost of issuing operational tour bonuses in each of the ten previous financial years.

The total cost of Operational Allowance paid to Service Personnel in each Financial Year since 2015-16, and the numbers in receipt, are set out below: Financial YearNumbers in receipt of Op Allowance Total Op Allowance2015-164,290£10,709,745.542016-175,748£14,668,691.792017-186,972£21,038,734.632018-197,653£24,554,593.592019-207,886£26,621,504.812020-216,140£18,587,048.822021-226,399£16,596,044.662022-235,164£13,673,498.622023-244,916£13,663,602.682024-255,330£13,091,473.382025-26 to date6,625£12,896,081.72Total44,439£186,101,020.24

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, whether his Department will procure the new surface-to-air missile.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. Once that initial phase of work has been completed, a decision will be taken on whether to progress to procurement.

What discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the use of the (a) Diego Garcia and (b) RAF Fairford military bases since 28 February 2026.

The US is the UK’s principal defence and security partner. The Secretary of State and his officials are in regular contact with US counterparts on a range of topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our two nations. As announced by the Prime Minister on 1 March, the Government agreed to a US request to use British bases for specific and limited defensive purposes.

How many live firing exercises have taken place at the Land Regional Hub Oman in each of the last ten financial years.

The Land Regional Hub Oman has transitioned into the Global Hub Oman (GHO) providing Land, Sea and Air capabilities. The Land Training Area: Ras Madrakah Training Area, is part of GHO’s capabilities. The following table provides the number of live firing exercises conducted on Ras Madrakah Training Area, in each of the last 10 financial years. Financial Year (FY)Number of Live Fire ExercisesFY2025-260FY2024-250FY2023-244FY2022-232FY2021-222FY2020-210FY2019-200FY2018-191FY2017-180FY2016-170

What military equipment is stationed at the Land Regional Hub Oman.

The Land Regional Hub Oman has transitioned into the Global Hub Oman (GHO) providing Land, Sea and Air capabilities. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations.

Whether he plans to reduce the quantity of military equipment used at the Land Regional Hub Germany in any of the remaining years of the current Parliament.

The Army continually reviews equipment allocations to ensure training needs are met. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations, including the Land Regional Hub Germany.

If he will list the military equipment currently stationed at the Land Regional Hub Germany.

The Army continually reviews equipment allocations to ensure training needs are met. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations, including the Land Regional Hub Germany.

How many live firing exercises have taken place at the Land Regional Hub Germany in each of the 10 previous financial years.

Live Firing exercises that took place at the Land Regional Hub Germany over the last ten years are recorded by calendar year rather than financial year. The number of Live Firing exercises that all took place on the Sennelager Training area in each of the last 10 year are as follows: Training YearNumber of Live Firing Exercises20251720241120238202282021720205201915201834201719201635

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the security in place at RAF Akrotiri.

We put in place significant defensive measures between January and February including F35 and Typhoon aircraft, additional radar systems and counter-drone systems. In light of the increasingly indiscriminate and reckless Iranian attacks we are moving quickly to further reinforce our defensive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes the deployment of HMS Dragon as well as Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet missiles to counter the threat from drones.

What steps he has taken to protect (a) service personnel and (b) their families at RAF Akrotiri since 1 March 2026.

We are providing non‑essential personnel and their families with supported temporary accommodation elsewhere on the island of Cyprus. For essential personnel who remain on site, our force protection measures are maintained at the highest level. Throughout January and February, we were moving defensive assets to Cyprus and Qatar such as fighter jets, air defence missiles, advanced radar, and systems to take down drones.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, how much money has been allocated by his Department for the Low-Cost Effectors and Platforms initiative.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase.

How many individuals does he expect to receive an operational tour bonus in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

Operational Allowance (OA) is a location‑driven allowance that recognises increased and enduring danger in Specified Operational Locations (SOLs). The number of Service Personnel in receipt of OA reflects the number of Service Personnel deployed to SOLs. SOL status is kept under regular review and is considered by the Permanent Joint Headquarters’ (PJHQ) Operational Records Board on a six‑monthly basis. As operational activity varies according to Defence commitments, entitlement to OA fluctuates accordingly. It is not possible to forecast how many individuals will receive OA in future financial years, nor the cost. Forecasting would require assumptions about the scale, location, and duration of future operational activity.