Written questions by Cartlidge.

What assessment he has made of the Defence Committee's report entitled The UK contribution to European security, published on 19 November 2025, HC 520.

The government welcomes the Committee’s report. NATO is the bedrock of our defence, with the UK committed alongside our Allies to our collective security. With our NATO First approach, the UK is stepping up to strengthen European security further, and will continue to do so. Backed by the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, the outcomes of our Strategic Defence Review will ensure our Armed Forces are moving to warfighting readiness, so that Britain is secure at home and strong abroad. We will respond to the Committee’s recommendations in full in due course.

What recent steps he has taken to protect British military pilots from lasers fired from Russian spy vessels.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him (column 844) and the answer I gave to the Rt hon. Member for New Forest East (column 847) on 20 November 2025 for the Urgent Question on Russian Ship Yantar.

When he plans to respond to Question 70779 on Defence: Intelligence Services.

I responded to the hon. Member on 20 November 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on national security of the Russian spy vessel Yantar entering British waters.

Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research is developing capabilities intended to survey underwater infrastructure during peacetime and damage, or even destroy, it during a conflict. These capabilities are deployed from submarines and specialist surface vessels, including Yantar. MOD takes this threat extremely seriously. The Royal Navy closely track and monitor the activities of the Yantar, and have military options ready to respond if needed.

Whether he considered providing information to Parliament on the attempt by a Russian spy vessel to blind RAF pilots on 19 November 2025.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to updating Parliament on all matters related to national security, including the use of lasers by the Russian spy ship YANTAR The Minister for the Armed Forces answered an Urgent Question in Parliament about this incident on 20 November.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 85232 on Defence: Contracts, whether the Defence Office for Small Business Growth will use occupy any physical locations.

Planning for the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth continues at pace. The Office will reflect modern ways of working and will not be restricted by a physical location. By using a networked approach that utilizes services provided by existing organisations including the Trade Bodies and Regional Defence and Security Clusters, the Office will address one of the significant barriers to entry for SME support. The offering will be across the country and utilising effective digital tools, enabling small businesses to connect with the Office regardless of location.

When he plans to implement the Scotland Defence Growth Deal.

Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Scotland Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible benefits to local economies and the wider defence sector.

When he plans to implement the South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal.

Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible benefits to local economies and the wider defence sector.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 85232 on Defence: Contracts, whether he held discussions with representatives from British SMEs regarding the location of the Defence Office for Small Business Growth.

Planning for the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth continues at pace. The Office will reflect modern ways of working and will not be restricted by a physical location. By using a networked approach that utilizes services provided by existing organisations including the Trade Bodies and Regional Defence and Security Clusters, the Office will address one of the significant barriers to entry for SME support. The offering will be across the country and utilising effective digital tools, enabling small businesses to connect with the Office regardless of location.

When he plans to implement the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal.

Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. We have already made tangible progress with the launch of Team Plymouth on 19 September, who will be leading the delivery of the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal.

When he plans to implement the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal.

Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible benefits to local economies and the wider defence sector.

When he plans to implement the Wales Defence Growth Deal.

Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Wales Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible benefits to local economies and the wider defence sector.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 85232 on Defence: Contracts, whether his Department will rent private office space to be used by the Defence Office for Small Business Growth.

Planning for the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth continues at pace. The Office will reflect modern ways of working and will not be restricted by a physical location. By using a networked approach that utilizes services provided by existing organisations including the Trade Bodies and Regional Defence and Security Clusters, the Office will address one of the significant barriers to entry for SME support. The offering will be across the country and utilising effective digital tools, enabling small businesses to connect with the Office regardless of location.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the competition for the Battlegroup Small Uncrewed Air System on strengthening the British industrial base.

The information as to who exactly has bid remains commercially sensitive and is currently not for onward release. There are however a number of UK companies involved, providing various different Small Uncrewed Aeriel System (sUAS) solutions. This is testament to the growth of the Uncrewed System development in the UK.

When he plans to respond to Question 70685 on NATO.

I responded to the hon. Member on 28 November 2025.

How the competition for the Battlegroup Small Uncrewed Air System will align with the Defence Drone Strategy's commitment to keep up with relentless cycles of battlefield adaptation.

The information as to who exactly has bid remains commercially sensitive and is currently not for onward release. There are however a number of UK companies involved, providing various different Small Uncrewed Aeriel System (sUAS) solutions. This is testament to the growth of the Uncrewed System development in the UK.

What recent steps he has taken to protect British waters from infiltration by the Russian spy vessel Yantar.

The Royal Navy constantly monitors threats to UK waters, and we are ready and willing to respond if required. The YANTAR’s most recent incursion into British waters was met with a robust response, using capabilities from across the full spectrum of Defence. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force deployed HMS SOMERSET and RAF P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to monitor the YANTAR’s every move within the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In addition, the Defence Secretary took steps to alter and enhance the Royal Navy’s posture to ensure we can better track and respond to threats from YANTAR or any other spy ship. As the Strategic Defence Review underlined, the protection of Critical Underwater Infrastructure is a priority for Defence. We have invested in new capabilities to ensure our Critical Underwater Infrastructure remains resilient, such as the Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS) programme, which includes RFA PROTEUS. We also will continue to invest in our international partnerships and alliances, including NATO, to coordinate surveillance of the threat, expose those who seek to threaten us and hold them accountable.

When he plans to respond to Question 70669 on NATO.

I responded to the hon. Member on 28 November 2025.

If he will list all named exercises that have been cancelled by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force since 5 July 2024.

This information is not held centrally and is taking time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Whether he has authorised changes to the amount of training conducted by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in the current financial year.

On current plans, the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force have not reduced planned training for the current financial year. We have defined training to mean Phase 1 (basic training) and Phase 2 (initial profession training) only. The Royal Navy has increased training delivery this year in response to increased recruitment and continues to modernise and streamline training pathways to meet operational needs. The amount of training conducted by the British Army and Royal Air Force remains unchanged.