Written questions by Cartlidge.

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

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34903 on Defence: Procurement, what recent progress he has made on implementing the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 November 2025 to Question 85228. Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

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 10 March to Question 34903 on Defence: Procurement, where the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub will be based.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 27 November 2025 to Questions 92627 and 92627. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-19/92627

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 November to Question 92321 on Armed Forces: Training, whether he has plans to reduce the amount of training exercises conducted at unit level or higher by the (i) British Army, (ii) Royal Navy and (iii) Royal Air Force in financial year (a) 2025-2026, (b) 2026-2027, (c) 2027-2028 and (d) 2028-2029.

Training continues to be a priority for the Ministry of Defence. The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force continue to conduct training exercises at unit level or higher, in line with operational and wider priorities.

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 completion of the Vehicle Storage and Support Programme.

The Vehicle Storage and Support Programme at Ministry of Defence Ashchurch remains on target to complete in 2027.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled New British Army robotic mine plough aims to better shield soldiers from danger, published on 10 April 2025, how many remote-controlled mine plough systems has he ordered since 10 April 2025.

The WEEVIL prototype currently uses the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle, fitted with a full-width mine plough, advanced remote-control system, and vehicle-mounted cameras. Project Atilla is the Army's term for the delivery of the WEEVIL capability. Whilst Project Atilla is currently in its concept phase, it is expected to have an in-service date of 2032. Since April 2025, one Warrior platform has been adapted with the WEEVIL capability. The Army is considering adapting further Warrior vehicles with the WEEVIL capability in the near future.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Cruise missile of the future completes firing, published on 17 November 2024, how many trials have taken place for the SPEAR cruise missile since 17 November 2024.

A further trial of the Selective Precision Effects At Range (SPEAR) 3 weapon system was conducted during the summer of 2025. A series of firings were conducted and built on the success and evidence gathered in the 2024 campaign.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled New British Army robotic mine plough aims to better shield soldiers from danger, published on 10 April 2025, what is the in service date for WEEVIL.

The WEEVIL prototype currently uses the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle, fitted with a full-width mine plough, advanced remote-control system, and vehicle-mounted cameras. Project Atilla is the Army's term for the delivery of the WEEVIL capability. Whilst Project Atilla is currently in its concept phase, it is expected to have an in-service date of 2032. Since April 2025, one Warrior platform has been adapted with the WEEVIL capability. The Army is considering adapting further Warrior vehicles with the WEEVIL capability in the near future.

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 contracts has he placed with L3Harris since 5 February 2025.

The Department has placed two contracts with L3Harris since 5 February 2025.

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 contracts has he placed with Marlborough Communications Ltd since 5 February 2025.

The Department has placed one contract with Marlborough Communications Ltd since 5 February 2025.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK jobs and air defences boost with purchase of new missile launchers, published on 22 August 2025, what estimate he has made of the total lifetime cost of the Land Ceptor missile systems.

The launchers will be supported by a wider support contract, Weapon Availability Support Programme (WASP) which will cover all future through life support for the entire Land Ceptor fleet, Sea Ceptor and the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) as well as other MBDA munitions. The contract is currently in negotiation.

What is the in service date for the Maritime EW Programme.

The Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP) is made up of two parts. The Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Integrated Capability Increment 1 will deliver a digital Radar and Electronic Support Measures capability to the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers, Type 45 destroyers, Type 26 and Type 31 frigates. The approved Initial Operating Capability (IOC)/In Service Date (ISD) is January 2027. Electronic Warfare Countermeasures (EWCM) will deliver a new and improved countermeasure launcher for Type 45 destroyers, Type 26 and Type 31 frigates with an approved IOC/ISD of September 2027.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Royal Navy trial high-tech autonomous mine hunting capability, published on 10 December 2024, what is the in service date of the Apollo Maritime Counter Measure vessel.

The Maritime Mine Counter Measure programme remains on track to deliver initial operational capability in line with Royal Navy requirements. The first vessel is expected to enter service in early 2026. RNMB APOLLO was on trials and evaluation with the Royal Navy from 2021-2025 and has been returned to the manufacturer for maintenance and critical system updates, as part of its capability development phase, and is due to enter service later next year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 November to Question 92321 on Armed Forces: Training, whether he has plans to reduce the amount of overseas training exercises conducted by the (i) British Army, (ii) Royal Navy and (iii) Royal Air Force in financial year (a) 2025-2026, (b) 2026-2027, (c) 2027-2028 and (d) 2028-2029.

The single Services remain committed to prioritising overseas training exercises in alignment with both our own and partners' operational needs, as well as the priorities outlined in the Strategic Defence Review. From financial year (FY) 2026-27, the Army, in collaboration with international partners, plans to reduce the number of overseas training exercises. This adjustment will enable a greater focus on NATO commitments and enhancing land warfighting capabilities. Similarly, over the next four years, the Royal Navy will scale back its participation in overseas training outside the Europe, Atlantic, and Arctic theatre. This shift reflects its evolving global posture, aimed at supporting modernisation efforts and prioritising this theatre as part of NATO and homeland defence. By FY 2027-28, an increase in participation and support for NATO is anticipated, aligned with NATO's strategic objectives.

When he will next meet with his US and Australian counterparts to discuss the AUKUS partnership.

The Defence Secretary has regular engagements with the US Secretary of War and the Australian Deputy Prime Minister, where they discuss a range of matters, including AUKUS. The UK continues to work closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities that AUKUS presents for our three nations.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March to Question 34903 on Defence: Procurement, whether he has met with any representatives from British SMEs regarding the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub.

I regularly engage with representatives of the defence industry, including SMEs. For example at DSEI and DPRTE I engaged with over 20 SMEs at those two events alone. Further to that, SMEs have been widely consulted in the development of the Office for Small Business Growth to ensure that the new service meets defence SMEs needs and fully integrates with support offered to smaller companies by other organisations and Government Departments.