Written questions by Cartlidge.

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.

With reference to the transcript of his speech entitled Defence Secretary speech on threats to the UK, published on 19 November 2025, what is the total monetary value of the over 1,000 major contracts signed.

The total value of the 953 Ministry of Defence (MOD) contracts over £1 million is £23,411,117,978.37 (excluding VAT).

With reference to his Department's press release entitled 100 new jobs created as drone factory opens in Swindon, published on 20 November 2025, if he will list all contracts placed by his Department with STARK since 5 July 2024.

The Department has not awarded any contracts to STARK to date.

With reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, if he will state the size of the MOD equipment budget as a (i) percentage of GDP and (ii) cash figure in each financial year of the current Parliament.

In financial year (FY) 2024-25, Ministry of Defence spend on equipment was £24.92 billion, which is around 0.85% of GDP. This is an increase of over £2 billion from the equipment budget for FY2023-24.While the current FY is ongoing and work on the Defence Investment Plan continues, it is not possible to provide figures for the remaining financial years of this Parliament.

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, as a monetary figure, how much of the £4 billion for autonomous systems will be spent in the next Parliament.

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.

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, as a monetary figure, how much of the £4 billion for autonomous systems is currently unallocated.

The Strategic Defence Review 2025 recommended a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence within the UK's conventional force. Defence will deliver on this commitment by incorporating uncrewed and autonomous systems into the Integrated Force in higher numbers over the next five years.We are committed to ensuring the Defence industry is a powerhouse for economic growth through strengthened industrial relationships and domestic investment, and will leverage investments such as the Autonomy Fund to this end whilst ensuring operational benefits. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including autonomous and uncrewed systems, 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.

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 list the 1,000 major defence contracts that have been signed.

The Department is withholding the information as full disclosure of all the contract details may prejudice commercial interests and national security. The Department has provided a list of British companies that were awarded contracts out of the 1,000 major contracts. These suppliers can be found in the attachment provided.

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, as a monetary figure, how much of the £4 billion for autonomous systems will be spent in the current Parliament.

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.

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 British firms that were awarded contracts out of the 1,000 major contracts.

The Department is withholding the information as full disclosure of all the contract details may prejudice commercial interests and national security. The Department has provided a list of British companies that were awarded contracts out of the 1,000 major contracts. These suppliers can be found in the attachment provided.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled 100 new jobs created as drone factory opens in Swindon, published on 20 November 2025, how many orders he has placed for AI-enabled uncrewed systems.

The Strategic Defence Review 2025 recommended a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence within the UK's conventional force. Defence will deliver on this commitment by incorporating uncrewed and autonomous systems into the Integrated Force in higher numbers over the next five years.We are committed to ensuring the Defence industry is a powerhouse for economic growth through strengthened industrial relationships and domestic investment, and will leverage investments such as the Autonomy Fund to this end whilst ensuring operational benefits. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including autonomous and uncrewed systems, 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.

With reference to the transcript of his speech entitled Defence Secretary speech on threats to the UK, published on 19 November 2025, how many of the 1,000 signed contracts are valued at (a) below £1 million, (b) between £1 million to £10 million, (c) between £10 million to £100 million, (d) between £100 million to £500 million and (e) above £500 million.

The information requested is outlined in the table below. Contracts by value: Under £1million (M)Nil – original data was for contracts £1M or over£1M - £10M744£10 - £100M177£100M - £500M26Above £500M6

Whether he has made a formal decision on the procurement of a Precision Strike Missile.

The Ministry of Defence is assessing potential opportunities for a Land Deep Fires munition capable of destroying targets out to extended ranges. A decision on Land Precision Strike progress is pending publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

What the cost is of contracting consultants to deliver Defence Reform.

The contract awarded for Defence Reform has a value of £15.8 million (excluding VAT). Further details are available on the GOV.UK Contract Finder.

How many consultants have been contracted as part of Defence Reform.

The Department has one prime supplier contracted to deliver Defence Reform. This supplier operates as a consortium, within which 42 consultants are currently deployed.

Whether he plans to procure an alternative missile to PrSM.

The Ministry of Defence is assessing potential opportunities for a Land Deep Fires munition capable of destroying targets out to extended ranges. A decision on Land Precision Strike progress is pending publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

When he will open the competition for Project Nightfall.

The Department is currently reviewing feedback from industry on the NIGHTFALL Request for Information, which closed on 24 November 2025. We expect to launch the NIGHTFALL competition in December 2025.

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, how many orders he has placed for SG-1 Fathom underwater gliders.

Under Atlantic Bastion, announced in the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy (RN) will be exploiting new technologies through a portfolio of lean crewed, remotely operated and uncrewed/autonomous airborne, surface and sub-surface vehicles, sensors and nodes. Helsing who makes the SG-1 Fathom have been selected to conduct a technology demonstration for the RN which is taking place in December 2025.The RN is running a solicitation for Atlantic Net, the first phase of Atlantic Bastion, and in full adherence to commercial regulation, it will conduct a fair and transparent assessment against peer proposals, ahead of any contract award.

What the planned in service date is for Project Nightfall.

The Department has not determined the in-service date for Project NIGHTFALL as we have yet to launch the competition and receive formal industry bids. We expect to launch the NIGHTFALL competition in December 2025.