Written questions by Cartlidge.

When he expects HMS Diamond to complete the Power Improvement Project upgrade.

As of December 2025, three Type 45 Destroyers have completed their Power Improvement Project (PIP) upgrades: HMS DAUNTLESS, HMS DARING, and HMS DRAGON, HMS DEFENDER and HMS DIAMOND are currently undergoing PIP upgrades. HMS DUNCAN is operational, pending the start of her PIP upgrade, which will run concurrently with her next docking period at HMNB Portsmouth. We are unable to release further detailed information about the forward integrated PIP schedule and upkeep plans for the Type 45 Destroyers, as to do so could risk revealing future capability levels to our adversaries. Completing the Type 45 PIP work is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy’s (RN) current and future operational commitments. Class availability is now maximised to ensure that the RN has been able to fulfil all its operational commitments and PIP remains on target to have all six ships receive their conversions by 2028.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK “building the factories of the future” as government launches next phase of new munitions and energetics factories, published on 19 November 2025, whether the 6 new munitions and energetics factories he has committed to build this Parliament will all be built on the proposed 13 potential sites identified.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 November 2025, to Question 93045. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-20/93045 Work is underway to plan the new factories. It is currently premature to provide specific detail, more information will be made available once the necessary preparatory work has been completed.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Work starts on the future of naval support in boost to British jobs, published on 3 December 2025, when will construction on RFA Resurgent commence.

The Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme cut steel on 3 December 2025, which marks the start of the construction phase for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships. The RFA Resurgent was named at the cut steel ceremony. The core RFA crew is expected to be around 100 in number, with additional military augmentees and specialists embarked for specific tasks and roles. On the current schedule, RFA Resurgent is expected to enter service in 2031 after extended first of class trials and equipment fits. Following the financial distress of Harland and Wolff and its acquisition by Navantia UK, a substantial amount of work has been done to assess and mitigate the impact on the approved schedule. This is subject to ongoing engagement with the relevant authorities, including Ministerial approvals, and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further. Updates will be provided through official channels at the appropriate time.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December to Question 95406 on Defence: Procurement, whether the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub is also known as the Defence Office for Small Business Growth.

Yes, the Office for Small Business Growth is the enduring title for what was previously referred to as the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and Norway to operate together to counter Russian undersea threat through major new defence agreement, published on 4 December 2025, how many offshore support vessels will be delivered as part of the Lunna House agreement.

The Lunna House announcement on 4 December 2025 highlighted the UK's intent, conveyed to the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Støre, to deliver the Offshore Support Vessel as the mothership for the Mine Hunting Capability programme. The exact number of Offshore Support Vessels will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan and in conjunction with our Norwegian allies.

How many One-Way Effectors will be delivered under Project Brakestop.

No final decisions have been made on numbers of systems to be bought in BRAKESTOP as we are in the flight trial phase of the programme. The performance of the systems being trialed, the capacity of the companies involved as well as the final costs of the systems will all inform the numbers to be bought.

What is the estimated cost of the Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme.

The only costs currently anticipated are in terms of Ministry of Defence staff time. There is no current estimate of this cost.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK “building the factories of the future” as government launches next phase of new munitions and energetics factories, published on 19 November 2025, when the engineering design work on the first new factory will commence.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 November 2025, to Question 93045. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-20/93045 Work is underway to plan the new factories, it is currently premature to provide specific detail, more information will be made available once the necessary preparatory work has been completed.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK “building the factories of the future” as government launches next phase of new munitions and energetics factories, published on 19 November 2025, whether each location has been decided for the six new munitions and energetics factories he has committed to build this Parliament.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 November 2025, to Question 93045. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-20/93045

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2025 to Question 94242 on Ukraine: Peacekeeping Operations, whether he has authorised any changes to the readiness levels of the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy, (c) Royal Air Force and (d) other units as part of planning for the Multinational Force Ukraine.

As a matter of longstanding policy we do not publicly comment on the readiness levels of His Majesty’s Armed Forces. This is to safeguard operational security, and that of our Service people. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including supporting Ukraine when hostilities end, through the Multinational Force Ukraine.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 70650 on Defence, when he expects the Defence Readiness Bill to be drafted.

The Ministry of Defence is working to develop defence readiness measures as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy. We are engaging with other Government Departments as they consider what legislation they may wish to bring forward in the context of the Government’s Home Defence Programme led by the Cabinet Office. Drafting will take place following robust evidence gathering and policy development. Legislation will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows.

When he expects HMS Dragon to complete its Power Improvement Project upgrade.

As of December 2025, three Type 45 Destroyers have completed their Power Improvement Project (PIP) upgrades: HMS DAUNTLESS, HMS DARING, and HMS DRAGON, HMS DEFENDER and HMS DIAMOND are currently undergoing PIP upgrades. HMS DUNCAN is operational, pending the start of her PIP upgrade, which will run concurrently with her next docking period at HMNB Portsmouth. We are unable to release further detailed information about the forward integrated PIP schedule and upkeep plans for the Type 45 Destroyers, as to do so could risk revealing future capability levels to our adversaries. Completing the Type 45 PIP work is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy’s (RN) current and future operational commitments. Class availability is now maximised to ensure that the RN has been able to fulfil all its operational commitments and PIP remains on target to have all six ships receive their conversions by 2028.

If he will list the Royal Navy vessels that have completed the Power Improvement Project upgrade.

As of December 2025, three Type 45 Destroyers have completed their Power Improvement Project (PIP) upgrades: HMS DAUNTLESS, HMS DARING, and HMS DRAGON, HMS DEFENDER and HMS DIAMOND are currently undergoing PIP upgrades. HMS DUNCAN is operational, pending the start of her PIP upgrade, which will run concurrently with her next docking period at HMNB Portsmouth. We are unable to release further detailed information about the forward integrated PIP schedule and upkeep plans for the Type 45 Destroyers, as to do so could risk revealing future capability levels to our adversaries. Completing the Type 45 PIP work is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy’s (RN) current and future operational commitments. Class availability is now maximised to ensure that the RN has been able to fulfil all its operational commitments and PIP remains on target to have all six ships receive their conversions by 2028.

With reference to the Written Statement of 27 November 2025 on MOD Security Review, HCWS1103, if he will set out the time for personnel to complete training for a Remote Piloted Aerial System.

Before April 2025 this information was not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate costs. I can, however, confirm that for this financial year we have approved £4.6 million on equipment, service and maintenance, and training on Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) for the purpose of enhancing our base security as set out in the 27 November 2025 statement on MOD Security Review. Initial training will commence in January 2026 with the first tranche of pilots completing their training by March 2026. The pilots will range in rank from non-commissioned officers to senior non-commissioned officers, and civilian equivalents. Those who will be trained to manage the safety risk of the systems will be officers and civilian equivalents. We take security extremely seriously. This investment demonstrates our commitment to enhance our ability to deter and respond to threats.

With reference to the Written Statement of 27 November 2025 on MOD Security Review, HCWS1103, how much his Department has spent on Remote Piloted Aerial Systems since 5 July 2024.

Before April 2025 this information was not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate costs. I can, however, confirm that for this financial year we have approved £4.6 million on equipment, service and maintenance, and training on Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) for the purpose of enhancing our base security as set out in the 27 November 2025 statement on MOD Security Review. Initial training will commence in January 2026 with the first tranche of pilots completing their training by March 2026. The pilots will range in rank from non-commissioned officers to senior non-commissioned officers, and civilian equivalents. Those who will be trained to manage the safety risk of the systems will be officers and civilian equivalents. We take security extremely seriously. This investment demonstrates our commitment to enhance our ability to deter and respond to threats.

With reference to the Written Statement of 27 November 2025 on MOD Security Review, HCWS1103, if he will list the ranks of personnel that will conduct training with a Remote Piloted Aerial System.

Before April 2025 this information was not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate costs. I can, however, confirm that for this financial year we have approved £4.6 million on equipment, service and maintenance, and training on Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) for the purpose of enhancing our base security as set out in the 27 November 2025 statement on MOD Security Review. Initial training will commence in January 2026 with the first tranche of pilots completing their training by March 2026. The pilots will range in rank from non-commissioned officers to senior non-commissioned officers, and civilian equivalents. Those who will be trained to manage the safety risk of the systems will be officers and civilian equivalents. We take security extremely seriously. This investment demonstrates our commitment to enhance our ability to deter and respond to threats.

Whether there has been any delay to the delivery of Project Brakestop.

The Project BRAKESTOP schedule has been highly ambitious from the outset. Flight trials are broadly on track.

When was the last trial for the CAMM.

The Armed Forces assure the performance of the Land Ceptor and Sea Ceptor systems, of which CAMM is the effector, through a variety of methods, including in-service live firings. The most recent in-service firing for Land Ceptor was in May 2025 and the most recent Sea Ceptor in-service firing was in 2021.

With reference to the Written Statement of 27 November 2025 on MOD Security Review, HCWS1103, how many people are working on the Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base; and how many additional people have been employed for this purpose.

Staff dedicated to the development of the Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base (CNI KB) are not based in the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The MOD, working in close partnership with the Cabinet Office, remains committed to strengthening the UK's resilience through the advancement of CNI KB. Funding for the next phase is scheduled for 2026/27, and we are working with partners to explore opportunities to accelerate delivery, including appropriate classification levels. This initiative is a key enabler for the Strategic Defence Review and the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, ensuring Defence can support national resilience objectives effectively and efficiently.

When was the last trial for the Brimstone missile.

In support of the ongoing Brimstone 3 Demonstration programme a successful trial campaign was conducted in August 2025.