Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether he has held a trilateral meeting with his US and Australian counterpart since 5 July 2024.

The Secretary of State for Defence hosted the first UK-hosted AUKUS Defence Ministers' meeting on 26 September 2024 with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, and the then United States Secretary of Defense, The Honourable Lloyd J. Austin III, to review progress and discuss priorities for delivering across Pillars 1 and 2. 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.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 November 2025 on Ajax Programme Update, HCWS 1099, which Ajax variants are being assessed as part of the safety investigation.

On 22 November, during a routine training exercise, around 30 soldiers operating in Ajax reported being affected by noise and vibration exposure. Out of an abundance of caution, and in line with our safety protocols, the exercise was halted within 30 minutes so that those affected could receive appropriate medical care. Fortunately, none of the symptoms were severe enough to require hospitalisation,. As a result, I directed the Army to pause all use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out into the events. Those investigations are ongoing and I will update the House at an appropriate point. I have in place a Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme, which will assess how effective the department has been at implementing the actions of previous reviews, and seeking anything further that is required regarding safety. It will be conducted by experts who are not part of the AJAX programme, including Malcolm Chalmers, to provide a more independent view. It will be overseen by me and report to the Defence Secretary.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 November 2025 on Ajax Programme Update, HCWS 1099, when he plans to authorise the resumption of training exercises for Ajax.

As a result of the 30 soldiers reporting be affected by noise and vibration from an Ajax training exercise on 22 November, I directed the Army to pause all use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out into the events. Those investigations are ongoing and I will update the House at an appropriate point. Furthermore, I have put in place a Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme, which will assess how effective the department has been at implementing the actions of previous reviews, and seeking anything further that is required regarding safety. It will be conducted by experts who are not part of the AJAX programme, including Malcolm Chalmers, to provide a more independent view. It will be overseen by me and report to the Secretary of State.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 November 2025 on Ajax Programme Update, HCWS 1099, when the safety investigation will conclude.

As a result of the 30 soldiers reporting be affected by noise and vibration from an Ajax training exercise on 22 November, I directed the Army to pause all use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out into the events. Those investigations are ongoing and I will update the House at an appropriate point. Furthermore, I have put in place a Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme, which will assess how effective the department has been at implementing the actions of previous reviews, and seeking anything further that is required regarding safety. It will be conducted by experts who are not part of the AJAX programme, including Malcolm Chalmers, to provide a more independent view. It will be overseen by me and report to the Secretary of State.

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, if he will list all contracts placed by his Department with Helsing since 5 July 2024.

The Department is withholding the information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

Whether the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan will be delivered in the form of a single document.

The Defence Investment Plan will be a single document that sets out how the Ministry of Defence will deliver the vision of the Strategic Defence Review over the next 10 years.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 November to Question 92321 on Armed Forces: Training, whether his Department has had formal discussions on reducing the amount of training conducted by the (i) Army, (ii) Royal Navy and (iii) Royal Air Force in financial year (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27, (c) 2027-28 and (d) 2028-29.

Training continues to be a priority for the Ministry of Defence. The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force will continue to conduct collective and unit training, proportionate to their recruitment and continue to modernise and streamline training pathways to meet operational needs.

What proportion of the workshare for Project Nightfall will be conducted in the United Kingdom.

The Project NIGHTFALL competition has not yet been launched. As a result, the proportion of workshare to be conducted in the UK is not yet known.In line with the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department will seek to enhance Project NIGHTFALL's benefits to the UK, not just strengthening UK and Euro-Atlantic security, but also being an engine for growth, backing British jobs, British industry and British innovation.

With reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, whether any pre-existing novel technologies in use by his Department will be included in the novel technologies his Department have committed to spend 10% of the MOD equipment budget on.

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, including autonomous, uncrewed and AI-assisted capabilities alongside dual-use technology, what additional technologies are included in this commitment are under consideration as part of the Defence Investment Plan. 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 Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, whether his Department's commitment to spend 10% of the MOD equipment budget on novel technologies will include any new 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, including autonomous, uncrewed and AI-assisted capabilities alongside dual-use technology, what additional technologies are included in this commitment are under consideration as part of the Defence Investment Plan. 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 transcript of his speech entitled Defence Secretary speech on threats to the UK, published on 19 November 2025, if he will provide a list of the firms that constitute the 14% of non-British firms who have had contracts signed.

A list of non-British companies with which contracts have been signed. These suppliers can be found in the attached document. The Department is withholding some of the information as full disclosure of all the contract details may prejudice commercial interests and national security.

With reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, if he will provide a breakdown of the novel technologies that will be included in his Department's commitment to spent 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, including autonomous, uncrewed and AI-assisted capabilities alongside dual-use technology, what additional technologies are included in this commitment are under consideration as part of the Defence Investment Plan. 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.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 91684 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, when the Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing upgrade will take place.

Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023. The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when complete will enable the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to make an accurate assessment of the benefits and cost of further developing the SRVL system for operational use. The SRVL upgrade cancellation listed on p.140 of the MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 refers only to the fitment of SRVL equipment to HMS Queen Elizabeth (QNLZ) in 2025. There is no impact to the equipment already fitted to PWLS, and the MOD retains the ability to fit such equipment to QNLZ when the outcome of trials in 2023 are fully understood. This represents a Defence Choice; weighing up costs and benefits to prioritise the MOD’s resources effectively.

What the range will be of the ground-launched tactical ballistic missiles under Project Nightfall.

At this stage, the Department expects the minimum acceptable range of the ground-launched tactical ballistic missiles under Project Nightfall to be 500km. We aim to develop solutions which offer significantly greater range.

What assessment he has made of a potential Ukraine-Russia peace proposal on the UK's capability commitments to NATO's Eastern Flank.

The UK welcomes the diplomatic efforts led by President Trump and President Zelenskyy to make progress towards a sustainable peace, and we continue to work closely with our European partners, the United States and Ukraine in support of these discussions which remain ongoing. The UK’s commitment to NATO and Allied collective security is unwavering, as demonstrated by our commitments on the Eastern Flank. This includes the UK’s role as Framework Nation for the Forward Land Forces Battlegroup in Estonia, our regular deployments of Typhoon aircraft to support NATO Air Policing missions, and our contributions to maritime and surveillance operations in the Baltic region These commitments remain enduring elements of NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Major £5 billion technology investment accelerates UK defence innovation in a European first, published on 2 June 2025, how much of the £4 billion for autonomous systems has been spent since 5 July 2024.

Uncrewed and Autonomous systems are integral to the modern way of warfighting, exemplified in the lessons gleaned from the war in Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence has spent over £450 million on Uncrewed Systems, including over £300 million on their research and development over the last year. The Strategic Defence Review announced an increase in autonomy investment of £2 billion in this Parliament, taking total Defence investment in autonomy to circa £4 billion. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 91684 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, whether the MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 classifies the Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing upgrade as a cancellation.

Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023. The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when complete will enable the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to make an accurate assessment of the benefits and cost of further developing the SRVL system for operational use. The SRVL upgrade cancellation listed on p.140 of the MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 refers only to the fitment of SRVL equipment to HMS Queen Elizabeth (QNLZ) in 2025. There is no impact to the equipment already fitted to PWLS, and the MOD retains the ability to fit such equipment to QNLZ when the outcome of trials in 2023 are fully understood. This represents a Defence Choice; weighing up costs and benefits to prioritise the MOD’s resources effectively.

With reference to recent Ukraine-Russia peace proposals, whether he plans to accelerate any preparations to deploy a potential British peacekeeping force to Ukraine.

The UK is fully committed to a just and lasting peace and a permanent end to the horrendous suffering that this war has brought to Ukraine.Convened by the Prime Minister and President Macron on 25 November, Coalition of the Willing Leaders met to discuss how to advance the current peace process and what more can be done to keep Ukraine in the fight now.Leaders also discussed planning for the Multinational Force Ukraine. We continue to refine these plans on an enduring basis to ensure that a force can deploy in the days following the cessation of hostilities.

Whether he plans to reduce the amount of (a) collective and (b) unit training for the (i) Army, (ii) Royal Navy and (iii) Royal Air Force in (A) 2025-26 and (B) 2026-27.

Training continues to be a priority for the Ministry of Defence. The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force will continue to conduct collective and unit training, proportionate to their recruitment and continue to modernise and streamline training pathways to meet operational needs.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 91684 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, what constitutes a Defence Choice.

Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023. The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when complete will enable the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to make an accurate assessment of the benefits and cost of further developing the SRVL system for operational use. The SRVL upgrade cancellation listed on p.140 of the MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 refers only to the fitment of SRVL equipment to HMS Queen Elizabeth (QNLZ) in 2025. There is no impact to the equipment already fitted to PWLS, and the MOD retains the ability to fit such equipment to QNLZ when the outcome of trials in 2023 are fully understood. This represents a Defence Choice; weighing up costs and benefits to prioritise the MOD’s resources effectively.