Written questions by Cartlidge.

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.

Whether he has plans to cancel any named exercises by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in the (i) current financial year and (ii) next financial year.

The Department conducts military exercises to maintain operational effectiveness, raise warfighting readiness and ensure the armed forces are prepared to respond to a wide range of scenarios. These exercises often involve collaboration with our allies and partners, enhancing interoperability and collective readiness. Our exercise plans are kept under regular review to ensure they align with our priorities and both our own and our partners' operational requirements.

Whether his Department has had formal discussions on reducing 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.

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.

When he expects the Army Collective Training Service contract to be signed.

The competition for the Army's Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) remains ongoing and is currently in the final stages. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

What is the estimated cost to his Department for the implementation of Defence Reform.

The Department is currently working to determine the estimated cost of implementing Defence Reform across Defence. At present, a total cost figure is not yet available.

Whether he has closed bidding on the Army Collective Training Service contract.

The competition for the Army's Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) remains ongoing and is currently in the final stages. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of protection of sensitive military documents from online hacking.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the security of its information very seriously. Our policies set out a range of technical and procedural controls applied to systems and content throughout their lifecycle and we use a range of assurance measures. We do not comment on details as these could provide a potential adversary with information which could help them to craft a cyber attack against the MOD, which would adversely impact Defence and National Security.

Whether he has extended the deadline for signing the Army Collective Training Service contract.

The competition for the Army's Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) remains ongoing and is currently in the final stages. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

What the status is of the Army Collective Training Service contract.

The competition for the Army's Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) remains ongoing and is currently in the final stages. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled 20,000 UK jobs secured as Türkiye buys 20 Typhoon jets in biggest fighter jet deal in a generation, published on 27 October 2025, whether he has a proposed timetable for the procurement of E-Scan radar.

The UK has already made significant investment into the development of the next generation radar system for our Typhoon Aircraft, including over £200 million released earlier this year by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury for initial production and which followed the successful completion of initial flight trials in February. We remain committed, alongside our partners in Industry, NETMA and the other Core Nations, to the delivery of the next generation radar capability to the UK's Typhoon fleet by the end of this decade.

Whether the post of Chief of Defence People has been abolished or re-titled.

Significant reforms are being implemented within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), fundamentally transforming its operations. This is the biggest transformation of the MOD in over 50 years. Defence is now led by a strengthened Department of State, a fully-fledged Military Strategic Headquarters, a new National Armaments Director Group, and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. Under Defence Reform, the post of Chief of Defence People has been disestablished. The Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Force Development) will play a key role in supporting our Military people, working with the Director General, People, to improve accountability, efficiency, and clarity in our people policy and strategy.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled 20,000 UK jobs secured as Türkiye buys 20 Typhoon jets in biggest fighter jet deal in a generation, published on 27 October 2025, when he plans to place a contract for a Phase 4 Enhancement electronics upgrade.

The Phase 4 Enhancement capability package (P4E) is an essential enabler for the implementation of the next generation radar enhancement for the UK's Typhoon fleet. The System Definition Contract for P4E was signed in June 2024 and since then the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy have been working closely alongside NETMA and our industry partners to agree on the final P4E capability package, which will then move into the Design, Development and Demonstration phase.Additionally, the Core Nations have agreed to begin early design work on long lead activities, ensuring that critical path activities for P4E capability are protected. The delivery of the P4E package is planned to take place by the end of this decade.

Whether he has discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on levels of funding for training conducted by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in the current financial year.

There have been no discussions around funding for training specifically. Spend on training continues to be a Departmental priority.

What discussions he has has with relevant stakeholders regarding the recent hacking of MOD software at RAF and Royal Navy bases.

This was an incident within the supply chain and not an attack on Ministry of Defence (MOD) systems.We take a robust and proactive approach to cyber attacks against MOD and our suppliers. Our initial assessment of the Dodd Group incident indicates that the data involved is largely routine and does not pose a significant security threat. For all investigations, the MOD has a well-tested incident coordination process led by the Defence CISO liaising across our Military Commands (including RAF and Royal Navy) to understand and mitigate any impact.

Whether he has authorised changes to the Army Collective Training Service contract since 5 July 2024.

In accordance with the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011, there have been no changes to the Army Collective Training Service contract that have required Ministerial approval since 5 July 2024.

Whether a survey or other feedback provision has been conducted on the implementation of Defence Reform.

We have actively engaged personnel throughout the Defence Reform activity to build awareness and understanding across the Department. The July 2025 Internal Communications survey showed that 76% of respondents had some level of awareness of the reform activity. Feedback is captured through established mechanisms, including the annual People Survey and the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS). These provide comprehensive data on how personnel are responding to reform activity and wider organisational change. Results will be reviewed when published in December 2025. Listening to feedback from both military and civilian personnel remains central to ensuring the reform activity delivers its full potential in strengthening defence capability.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential for delays to orders of new investments in (a) defence equipment, (b) weaponry and (c) infrastructure in the (a) current financial year and (b) next financial year.

As part of routine Departmental planning processes, both for in-year and future years spend, The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually reviews balance of priorities against available funding. The MOD remains focused on delivering the priorities set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). A full ten-year plan on how the MOD will deliver the vision of the SDR will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published later this year.

If he will disclose the total figure in monetary terms that his Department will spend on day-to-day costs in the (a) current financial year and (b) next financial year.

The MOD's day to day spending is reflected in its Resource Departmental Expenditure Limits (RDEL).The MOD's RDEL planned settlements for 2025-26 and 2026-27 have been set out as part of the Spending Review. These were £38.6 billion for 2025-26 and £39.6 billion for 2026-27.