Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 841–860 of 2,790 · Ministry of Defence
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security, published on 9 June 2025, how many remotely operated vehicles for use by the Royal Navy has he ordered since 5 July 2024.
For reasons of operational security, we cannot provide details on the numbers of BriteStorm Electronic Warfare jamming systems procured by the Ministry of Defence.
How many BriteStorm Electronic Warfare jamming systems has he procured since 5 July 2024.
For reasons of operational security, we cannot provide details on the numbers of BriteStorm Electronic Warfare jamming systems procured by the Ministry of Defence.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Advanced attack drones for Ukraine in new deal struck by UK government and Anduril UK, published on 6 March 2025, how many Altius 600m drones his Department has ordered since 6 March 2025.
For Ukrainian Operational Security reasons we are unable to provide the number of Altius 600M drones that have been ordered since March 2025.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Advanced attack drones for Ukraine in new deal struck by UK government and Anduril UK, published on 6 March 2025, how many Altius 700m drones his Department has ordered since 6 March 2025.
For Ukrainian Operational Security reasons we are unable to provide the number of Altius 700M drones that have been ordered since March 2025.
With reference to the Written Statement of 26 November 2025 on Ajax Programme Update, HCWS 1099, on what evidential basis his Department declared Initial Operating Capability for the Ajax programme in November 2025.
I announced Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) on 5 November 2025. As safety is the top priority for the Ministerial Team, prior to Ajax IOC being announced, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry I asked for and was given assurances in writing by senior Ministry of Defence personnel that the system was safe.
How regularly he meets with the Special Representative on AUKUS.
The Prime Minister's Special Representative, Sir Stephen Lovegrove regularly meets with the Defence Secretary to discuss key priorities for 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. I met him last week to discuss AUKUS also.
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, when will the Land Ceptor missile systems reach minimum deployable capability.
The press release of 22 August 2025 refers to an additional purchase of Land Ceptor launchers and support vehicles known as Medium Range Air Defence Capability Uplift Package one. This is currently working towards reaching Initial Operating Capability, which is scheduled for Q4 2026.
With reference to the Prime Minister's press release entitled £4bn maritime deal with Indonesia set to boost British jobs and support Indo-Pacific security, published on 21 November 2025, what proportion of the production for the joint maritime capability for Indonesia's navy will take place in the United Kingdom.
The Partnership will enhance our shared commitment to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, upholding freedom of navigation and supporting a rules-based international order. It will also pave the way for greater interoperability and joint training between both navies. Due to commercial sensitivities, at this stage we are unable to release further information beyond what was shared in the press release of 21 November 2025.
With reference to the press release entitled £4bn maritime deal with Indonesia set to boost British jobs and support Indo-Pacific security, published on 21 November 2025, how many of the 1,000 jobs in the UK will be created as a result of the (a) jointly developed maritime capability developed for Indonesia's navy and (b) 1,000 vessels for the Indonesian fishing fleet.
The Partnership will enhance our shared commitment to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, upholding freedom of navigation and supporting a rules-based international order. It will also pave the way for greater interoperability and joint training between both navies. Due to commercial sensitivities, at this stage we are unable to release further information beyond what was shared in the press release of 21 November 2025.
With reference to the Prime Minister's press release entitled £4bn maritime deal with Indonesia set to boost British jobs and support Indo-Pacific security, published on 21 November 2025, what is the joint maritime capability that will be developed for Indonesia's navy.
The Partnership will enhance our shared commitment to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, upholding freedom of navigation and supporting a rules-based international order. It will also pave the way for greater interoperability and joint training between both navies. Due to commercial sensitivities, at this stage we are unable to release further information beyond what was shared in the press release of 21 November 2025.
What recent progress he has made on developing StormShroud.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) on 1 September 2025 to Question 68745.
How many Autonomous Collaborative Platforms are currently in development.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 19 September 2025 to Question 76688.
Whether he has placed an order for any Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles since 5 July 2024.
The Ministry of Defence has not placed any orders for Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XL-UUV) since 5 July 2024. The Royal Navy has an experimental XL-UUV, known as Excalibur, which was delivered this year and is currently undergoing trials and experimentation. Investment decisions will be in the Defence Investment Plan.
Pursuant to the Answer of 24 November to Question 92321 on Armed Forces: Training, if he will list all other definitions of training outside of Phase 1 and Phase 2.
The British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy conduct two categories of training. These are Collective Training, and Individual Training. Collective Training is any training activity focussed on the collective performance of two or more people working together that improves the ability of a team, large or small, to work together in order to generate the forces required for operations, and is collective only when the team as a whole is assessed on its collective performance. Individual Training is training designed to develop a mix of Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Behaviours of individuals. Individual Training can take multiple forms and, excluding Phases 1 & 2, is set out below: Phase 0 TrainingPhase 3 TrainingIndividual TrainingPre-employment TrainingPresent, Apply, Review (PAR) TrainingCare of Trainee (COT) TrainingDeployed Collective Trainer TrainingDistributed TrainingFirst of Class TrainingInterim TrainingSteady State TrainingFormal TrainingJoint TrainingLive TrainingModular TrainingRemedial TrainingRobust Training Joint Service Publication 822 provides additional information on training and can be found on the gov.uk website.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security, published on 9 June 2025, which contracts his Department has placed with Alford Technologies since 5 July 2024.
The Department has placed two contracts with Alford Technologies since 5 July 2024.
Whether he has a target date for spending 10% of the MOD equipment budget on novel technologies.
It is vital we utilise defence as an engine for innovation and growth, investing in novel technologies where it is possible to do so. We are committed to spend 10% of our equipment budget on novel technologies, such as autonomous, uncrewed and AI-assisted systems. What is in scope of this commitment and the pathway to achieving it are under consideration as part of the Defence Investment Plan, as such detail on what is included will be published in due course. Spending will be prioritised appropriately as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.
With reference to the Prime Minister's press release entitled £4bn maritime deal with Indonesia set to boost British jobs and support Indo-Pacific security, published on 21 November 2025, when the joint maritime capability that will be developed for Indonesia's navy will formally commence production.
The Partnership will enhance our shared commitment to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, upholding freedom of navigation and supporting a rules-based international order. It will also pave the way for greater interoperability and joint training between both navies. Due to commercial sensitivities, at this stage we are unable to release further information beyond what was shared in the press release of 21 November 2025.
Pursuant to the Answer of 26 November to Question 93390 on Type 45 Destroyers: Lasers and with reference to his oral statement on UK Airstrike: Houthi Military Facility, Column 333, Official Report, 30 April 2025, whether it is his Department's policy to install DragonFire on four Royal Navy vessels in 2027.
The Ministry of Defence plans to install the first DragonFire system on a Royal Navy vessel in 2027. The installation of additional systems will be in accordance with the Defence Investment Plan.
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 is the in service date for the Land Ceptor missile systems.
The Sky Sabre air defence missile system – which includes Land Ceptor – has been in service with the British Army since 2022. The press release of 22 August 2025 refers to an additional purchase of Land Ceptor launchers and support vehicles known as Medium Range Air Defence (MRAD) Capability Uplift Package one. Initial Operating Capability for MRAD is scheduled for Q4 2026.
What proportion of his Department's equipment budget was spent on novel technologies in the last 12 months.
It is vital we utilise defence as an engine for innovation and growth, investing in novel technologies where it is possible to do so. We are committed to spend 10% of our equipment budget on novel technologies, such as autonomous, uncrewed and AI-assisted systems. What is in scope of this commitment and the pathway to achieving it are under consideration as part of the Defence Investment Plan, as such detail on what is included will be published in due course. Spending will be prioritised appropriately as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.