Written questions by Cartlidge.

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.

What is the in service date for the One-Way Effector delivered under Project Brakestop.

There is no defined in-service date for Project BRAKESTOP. The Department is currently planning to place production contracts in 2026, following upcoming flight trials.

What recent progress he has made on delivering Project Brakestop.

Multiple contracts have been placed to develop prototype one-way effectors to meet Project BRAKESTOP's requirements, for which the builds are highly advanced. Flight trials are due to start soon.

If he will provide a list of each company currently operating under Project Brakestop.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that providing a list of each company currently operating under Project BRAKESTOP would prejudice national security and commercial interests.

When was the last trial for the Sea Viper missile.

The Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon successfully launched a Sea Viper missile during Exercise Formidable Shield in May 2025. Exercise Formidable Shield is hosted by the UK on the Hebrides Range in Scotland and is the largest live-firing Integrated Air and Missile Defence exercise in Europe.

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.

Whether the National Insurance contribution holiday for the employers of veterans will be in place for each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

The Budget Report confirmed that the Employer National Insurance contributions relief for veterans will be extended to April 2028.

Whether he has held discussions with service chiefs regarding the spending envelope for the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan has been informed by a range of inputs and perspectives including those of the Chiefs.

How many (a) UK-based SMEs and (b) mid-tier suppliers have been offered support through the Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme since 5 July 2024.

Since 5 July 2024, 22 UK-based SMEs have been offered support through the Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme (DSCDP). 19 in total then successfully joined. To date, no mid-tier suppliers have been offered support.

With reference to the Written Statement by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 27 November on MOD Security Review, HCWS 1103, how many contracts have been placed for Remote Piloted Aerial Systems since 5 July 2024.

The Department has placed nineteen contracts relating to Remote Piloted Aerial Systems since 5 July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March to Question 34903 on Defence: Procurement, who will lead the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub.

I am pleased to confirm that Senior Civil Servant, Tim Ketton-Locke has been appointed to lead the office and took up post on 3 November 2025.

What recent progress he has made on the UK Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme.

The Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP) comprises two constituent parts, the first of which, the Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Integrated Capability (MEWSIC), has entered the final testing phase with installation at the Royal Navy’s Integration facility at Portsdown Technology Park underway. The other half of MEWP is the Electronic Warfare Countermeasure (EWCM) Project which will deliver a trainable decoy launcher designed to counter anti-ship missiles and enhance survivability. Critical Design Review for the project was conducted mid-November 25 as part of preparation for production readiness.

How many TEKEVER AR3 uncrewed air platforms he has procured since 5 July 2024.

For reasons of operational security, we cannot provide details on the numbers of TEKEVER AR3 uncrewed air platforms procured by the Ministry of Defence.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 June to Question 57673 on Military Intelligence, if he has a target date for the full implementation of the Digital Targeting Web.

The Department aims to deliver the first elements of the Digital Targeting Web, or a 'Minimum Viable Product', in 2026. What these first deliverables will consist of is still being defined. Plans will be continually reviewed to respond to emerging threats and adjusted as necessary. No target date has been established for the full implementation of the Digital Targeting Web.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Storage facility for over 900 vehicles completed at MOD Ashchurch, published on 5 March 2025, if he has a target date for the demolition of 58 existing buildings as part of the Vehicle Storage and Support Programme.

The Vehicle Storage and Support Programme (VSSP) remains on schedule and work at MOD Ashchurch will be completed in 2027. Demolition of all 58 existing buildings as part of the VSSP, has been completed.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security, published on 9 June 2025, when the last trial on underwater robots took place.

It has not been possible to provide the answer within the timeframe given, I will write to the hon. Member as soon as practical and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March to Question 34903 on Defence: Procurement, whether any new staff will be recruited as part of the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub.

Whilst the exact number of staff employed by the Office for Small Business Growth is still under development, it is anticipated that staffing levels will be adjusted to reflect demand placed upon its services. Funding for the Office, including staff costs, is included within the £770 million Government investment into the delivery of the Defence Industrial Strategy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March to Question 34903 on Defence: Procurement, who will staff the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub.

Whilst the exact number of staff employed by the Office for Small Business Growth is still under development, it is anticipated that staffing levels will be adjusted to reflect demand placed upon its services. Funding for the Office, including staff costs, is included within the £770 million Government investment into the delivery of the Defence Industrial Strategy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March to Question 34903 on Defence: Procurement, if he will list the other sectors outside the defence sector who will be consulted on the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub.

Development of the new Defence Office for Business Growth is well underway. It continues to consult a wide variety of stakeholders, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), prime contractors, Regional Defence and Security Clusters, and trade associations representing their members operating both within and outside of the defence sector. The Office will also work with the Department for Business and Trade’s Business Growth Service, where relevant, to consult with the non-defence sectors included within the Modern Industrial Strategy.