Written questions by Cartlidge.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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, 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 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.