Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, when will the air-launched collaborative uncrewed air vehicle reach full operating capability.

The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms. The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of factors, several of which are dependent on the Defence Investment Plan. However, I am withholding further details as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and also would prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what additional laser weapons will be developed to complement the DragonFire system.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 100495 on 24 December 2025.

With reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, what proportion of the 8,000 drones bought in 2026 will be supplied to Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence's delivery of drones to Ukraine is not included in the Department's procurement totals.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, whether his Department has ordered additional laser weapons to complement the DragonFire system since 5 July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 100495 on 24 December 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2025 to Question 93964 on Defence: Contracts, what the 177 contracts valued between £100 million and £500 million are for.

The Department confirms that there were only twenty-six contracts valued between £100 million and £500 million. Details of these contracts are provided below.The Department is withholding information on six of these contracts for the purposes of safeguarding national security.1. SODEXO LTD - OPC Cyprus Soft Facilities Management. The OPC SFM contract refers to the UK Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Soft Facilities Management (SFM) services on an overseas estate.2. RHEINMETALL BAE SYSTEMS LAND LIMITED - Heavy Armour Post Design Services (Land Common Pillar.)3. BRIGGS MARINE CONTRACTORS LIMITED - DMS Supply and Maintenance of Authority Moorings, Markers and Targets. The Contract covers the following services: the maintenance of moorings, target moorings and navigation marks owned by the Authority, the replacement of moorings and navigation marks and the sourcing, storage and supply of moorings and navigation mark components.4. SERCO LIMITED – Defence Marine Services Offshore Support to Military Training and Exercises. The contract will provide discrete Defence services for Offshore Support to Military Training and Exercises in UK waters and select overseas territories.5. GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, INC. - Protector Availability Support Solution (PASS.) The provision of spares and logistics support to the Protector Air Vehicle6. BAE SYSTEMS SURFACE SHIPS LIMITED - In Service Support for Combat Management Systems (CMS) SI and Networks. This Contract provides In Service Support (ISS) of CMS, BAES Shared Infrastructure (SI) & Networks for Royal Navy platforms, Land-Based Test Sites & training sites as well as the installation of SI Version 3 on Type 45 Destroyers. The full Contract Award Notice can be found at the link below and provides full details: RECODE - In Service Support for Combat Management Systems (CMS), Shared Infrastructure (SI) and Networks - Contract Awarded - Contracts Finder.7. THALES UK LIMITED – Maritime Communication Capability Support.8. ROKE MANOR RESEARCH LTD - Science & Technology Oriented Research & development in Missile defence (STORM)9. FR AVIATION LIMITED – IMSORTS. The provision of IMSORTS includes medium/fast speed Operational Readiness Training, simulating an enemy airborne threat, principally for the Combat Air Force part of Next Generation Operational Training (NGOT) and RN (FOST).10. GENERAL DYNAMICS UNITED KINGDOM LIMITED - Design Services Contract 2 (DSC2)11. HONEYBEERECRUITMENT.COM LTD - Provision of Temporary Healthcare Workers for Ministry of Defence12. BOVIS CONSTRUCTION (EUROPE) LIMITED - DEO Kendrew Barracks & Bulwell ARC Design & Build. for Infrastructure Design & Build works at Kendrew Barracks and Bulwell ARC.13. THALES UK LIMITED - Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM)14. IBM UNITED KINGDOM LIMITED - Defence Equipment Engineering Asset Management System (DEEAMS)15. KIER CONSTRUCTION LTD - DEO Rock Barracks Design & Build. For Infrastructure Design & Build works at Rock Barracks.16. KIER CONSTRUCTION LTD - Keogh Design & Build. Design & Build for Infrastructure works at Keogh Barracks.17. CORPORATE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT (NORTH) LIMITED – Hotel accommodation and assisted travel costs.18. VITOL AVIATION UK LTD - A-Supply of Fuel to Singapore F-76 Marine Fuel VITOL (2025 to 2029)19. BOXXE LIMITED - Microsoft Enterprise Agreement 2025 to 2028. The Contracting Authority (Defence Digital) has a requirement to contract with a supplier who can support with the renewal and running of Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.20. AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE LIMITED - Project OBERON - Design, build and Launch SAR LEO Cluster of Satellites. Project OBERON is a multi-year Contract that will be for the full design, build, integration, Launch and first year of mission operations for a LEO Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, whether the new uncrewed helicopter is known as Proteus.

The new uncrewed helicopter is part of the Royal Navy's move towards a future 'hybrid air wing' which includes Project PROTEUS. PROTEUS is a project funded by UK Defence Innovation for the development of a heavy-lift vertical take-off and landing uncrewed aerial system.

How much of (a) his Department's budget and (b) the NATO-declared spend has been spent on munitions since 5 July 2024.

The Department's munitions spend has been published in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 for the year ended 31 March 2025, published 4 Nov 2025, also shows munition expenditure of £1.4 billion for financial year 2024 and £1.7 billion for financial year 2025. The accounts for 2025-26 will be published in the usual way.

How many tests for Land Directed Energy Weapons have taken place since 5 July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 100495 on 24 December 2025.

How many contracts have been placed for Land Directed Energy Weapons since 5 July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 100495 on 24 December 2025.

What his proposed timetable is for issuing contracts for Project Brakestop.

Multiple contracts have already been placed to develop prototype one-way effectors to meet Project BRAKESTOP's requirements.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December 2025, how many new staff will be employed as part of establishing the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit.

The Defence Counter Intelligence Unit (DCIU) will develop in maturity to meet the threat that Defence faces, and it is planned to be fully operational in 2027. The establishment of the DCIU is being delivered within existing resources. The DCIU will be part of Defence Intelligence, and led by an appropriate member of the Senior Civil Service or Military Equivalent.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December 2025, what the cost is of establishing the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit.

The Defence Counter Intelligence Unit (DCIU) will develop in maturity to meet the threat that Defence faces, and it is planned to be fully operational in 2027. The establishment of the DCIU is being delivered within existing resources. The DCIU will be part of Defence Intelligence, and led by an appropriate member of the Senior Civil Service or Military Equivalent.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December, when the new Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit will be fully operational.

The Defence Counter Intelligence Unit (DCIU) will develop in maturity to meet the threat that Defence faces, and it is planned to be fully operational in 2027. The establishment of the DCIU is being delivered within existing resources. The DCIU will be part of Defence Intelligence, and led by an appropriate member of the Senior Civil Service or Military Equivalent.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December, what the cost is of establishing the new Military Intelligence Services.

The establishment of Military Intelligence Services (MIS) is being delivered within existing Departmental resource, and a limited number of new military posts are being established to enable and sustain the MIS programme as it progresses toward Full Operational Capability. MIS will be led by the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December 2025, who will lead the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit.

The Defence Counter Intelligence Unit (DCIU) will develop in maturity to meet the threat that Defence faces, and it is planned to be fully operational in 2027. The establishment of the DCIU is being delivered within existing resources. The DCIU will be part of Defence Intelligence, and led by an appropriate member of the Senior Civil Service or Military Equivalent.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December 2025, how many new staff will be employed as part of establishing the Military Intelligence Services.

The establishment of Military Intelligence Services (MIS) is being delivered within existing Departmental resource, and a limited number of new military posts are being established to enable and sustain the MIS programme as it progresses toward Full Operational Capability. MIS will be led by the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December 2025, who will lead the Military Intelligence Services.

The establishment of Military Intelligence Services (MIS) is being delivered within existing Departmental resource, and a limited number of new military posts are being established to enable and sustain the MIS programme as it progresses toward Full Operational Capability. MIS will be led by the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what weapon will be procured for the air-launched collaborative Uncrewed Air Vehicle.

The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms. The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of factors, several of which are dependent on the Defence Investment Plan. However, I am withholding further details as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and also would prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what will the air-launched collaborative Uncrewed Air Vehicle be called.

The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms. The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of factors, several of which are dependent on the Defence Investment Plan. However, I am withholding further details as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and also would prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2025 to Question 97152 on Defence: Procurement, which Department is responsible for the Office for Small Business Growth.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 22 December 2025 to question 100492.