Written questions by Cartlidge.

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.

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 16 June to Question 57673 on Military Intelligence, whether there have been any further industry days on the Digital Targeting Web since 18 July 2025.

Outreach and engagement with industry has continued on the Digital Targeting Web, across a number of areas since the Tech UK facilitated industry day on 18 July. This has included: a series of open fora and a panel event at DSEI25 between 9 and 12 September, led by Cyber and Specialist Operations Command; a RUSI led workshop on 1 October in support of the Digital Targeting Web; and, discussions, as part of RUSI’s MilTech Conference, on 14 October on the Digital Targeting Web - alongside supporting research for that Conference.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Royal Navy trial high-tech autonomous mine hunting capability, published on 10 December 2024, how many Apollo Maritime Counter Measure vessels has he ordered since 10 December 2024.

The Apollo Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) platform is the UK concept demonstrator for the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) Programme.During the period 2021- 2025, the Royal Navy conducted a series of trials and evaluation work with the platform through the Maritime Autonomous Systems Trials Team (MASTT). No further trials have been carried out since as the vessel has been returned to the manufacturer for maintenance and critical system updates as part of its capability development phase, with a planned return to the fleet during 2026. The MMCM Project is an Anglo-French collaboration under the Lancaster House agreement. The project will deliver four vessels to the Royal Navy, additional MMCM vessels have been ordered as part of the MMCM joint project.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Royal Navy trial high-tech autonomous mine hunting capability, published on 10 December 2024, how many trials have taken place as part of the Apollo Maritime Counter Measure programme since 10 December 2024.

The Apollo Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) platform is the UK concept demonstrator for the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) Programme.During the period 2021- 2025, the Royal Navy conducted a series of trials and evaluation work with the platform through the Maritime Autonomous Systems Trials Team (MASTT). No further trials have been carried out since as the vessel has been returned to the manufacturer for maintenance and critical system updates as part of its capability development phase, with a planned return to the fleet during 2026. The MMCM Project is an Anglo-French collaboration under the Lancaster House agreement. The project will deliver four vessels to the Royal Navy, additional MMCM vessels have been ordered as part of the MMCM joint project.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled New robots lead the way in bomb disposal innovation, published on 5 February 2025, how many trials for robot bomb disposal have taken place since 5 February 2025.

Since publication of the press release titled “New robots lead the way in bomb disposal innovation” on 5 February 2025, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has undertaken a further three trials for land-based robot-assisted bomb disposal.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2025 to Question 93964 on Defence: Contracts, how many of the 1,000 signed contracts are valued below £5 million.

The Department can confirm that, out of 1,000 signed contracts, 561 have a value of less than £5 million.

Whether he plans to conduct any future negotiations with his EU counterparts on a UK application to join the EU SAFE fund.

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO. We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans. As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement. This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard. It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2025 to Question 93964 on Defence: Contracts, if he will name the (a) six companies with contracts valued above £500 million and (b) 26 companies with contracts valued between £100 million and £500 million.

The Department has been able to provide the six companies with contracts valued above £500 million. These suppliers can be found in the attachments provided. The Department has been able to provide some of the twenty-six companies with contracts valued between £100 million and £500 million. The Department is withholding some of the suppliers as full disclosure may prejudice commercial interests and national security.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, if he will state the percentage that EU countries can spend with UK defence companies as a result of the partnership.

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO. We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans. As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement. This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard. It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

When the second round of EU SAFE funding will commence.

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO. We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans. As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement. This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard. It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

Whether the United Kingdom will make a formal application to join the second round of EU SAFE funding.

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO. We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans. As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement. This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard. It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, how many defence contracts have been signed as a result of the partnership.

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO. We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans. As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement. This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard. It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

How many mobile launchers will Project Nightfall deliver.

The number of mobile launchers for Project Nightfall is not yet confirmed, as it will depend on the solutions presented by industry, including how many effectors can be carried by a single launcher.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September to Question 70699 on UK Defence and Security Exports, where UK Defence and Security Exports is based.

Responsibility for defence exports moved to the Ministry of Defence on 31 July 2025. Security exports were not in scope of this Machinery of Government change and responsibility remains with the Department for Business and Trade.

Whether the special representative on AUKUS employs any full time staff.

The Prime Minister's Special Representative, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, is supported by Civil Servants within the Cabinet Office with responsibility for coordinating and driving cross-Government work across AUKUS.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 June to Question 57673 on Military Intelligence, whether his Department has signed any contracts to deliver the Digital Targeting Web since 16 June 2025.

Some short-term external assistance contracts are being employed to support the preparation and planning of the Digital Targeting Web.The Ministry of Defence has not placed or signed any contracts to deliver the capabilities and equipment for the Digital Targeting Web, since 16 June 2025. Investment decisions are made in the Defence Investment Plan.

Whether he attends meetings between the Prime Minister and the Special Representative on AUKUS.

The Prime Minister, Defence Secretary and the Prime Minister's Special Representative, Sir Stephen Lovegrove regularly engage on all matters relating to the AUKUS partnership. These discussions help ensure AUKUS is being pursued as a whole-of-Government effort in line with the Prime Minister’s direction.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 93042 on Unmanned Air Systems: Manufacturing Industries, whether his Department keep records of each country of origin that has supplied drones to Ukraine.

The Department does hold information on suppliers we contract to produce equipment which is gifted to Ukraine, including where they are based.Through our joint leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and Coalition of the Willing, we are actively encouraging our allies to ramp up drone production following increased drone strikes in Ukraine and incursions into European airspace.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security, published on 9 June 2025, if he will list all contracts placed by his Department with Atlantas Marine since 5 July 2024.

The Department has placed one contract with Atlantas Marine since 5 July 2024, this can be found below. Contract NameSupplier NameVideo Ray Defender (VRD) ROVs Training and Maintenance.ATLANTAS MARINE LIMITED