Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to paragraph 18 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, in what circumstances would the UK invite the EU to (a) observe and (b) participate in crisis management exercises.

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway. The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans. Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments. Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on UK access to the Security Action for Europe fund.

As this is a critical moment for the security of our continent, we welcome European efforts to increase defence spending, through the ReArm initiative including the proposed Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. The UK and the EU have agreed an ambitious new Security and Defence Partnership as part of a wider package of the UK-EU reset, which means that the UK now meets the gateway criteria for discussing participation in common procurement under SAFE. Recognising the important role that the UK’s defence industry plays already for European security, we have set out our ambition to swiftly explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the proposed SAFE instrument, as soon as the EU’s necessary processes are complete.

With reference to clause 12, subsection A, of the Security and Defence Partnership announced on 19 May 2025, if he will list all participants of the six-monthly foreign and security policy dialogues.

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway. The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans. Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments. Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, whether the content of the policy paper was discussed with the lead members of the Strategic Defence Review team prior to its publication.

The Strategic Defence Review was published on 2 June 2025. It sets out the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this on the recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review.

The Strategic Defence Review was published on 2 June 2025. It sets out the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

What the planned in-service date is for the deep precision strike weapon that will be developed with Germany.

The UK and Germany are considering several concepts and technologies to address emerging threats so far and have defined a joint range requirement of over 2000km.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled New 2,000 km “deep precision strike” weapon to be developed by UK and Germany as Trinity House Agreement delivers first major milestones, published on 15 May 2025, whether the weapon will be a (a) cruise, (b) ballistic and (c) hypersonic missile.

UK and Germany are considering several concepts and technologies to address emerging threats and have defined a joint range requirement of over 2,000 km. Specific characteristics, in-service dates and launch platforms are to be confirmed.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled New 2,000 km “deep precision strike” weapon to be developed by UK and Germany as Trinity House Agreement delivers first major milestones, published on 15 May 2025, whether the weapon will require a bespoke launch vehicle.

UK and Germany are considering several concepts and technologies to address emerging threats and have defined a joint range requirement of over 2,000 km. Specific characteristics, in-service dates and launch platforms are to be confirmed.

Whether the Defence Suppliers Forum has been disbanded.

On 2 December 2024, as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, it was announced by the Secretary of State that the Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) will be replaced by a new Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC). At this point the Defence Suppliers Forum was disbanded, but strategic engagement with Industry and the Defence Sector has continued via the Defence Industrial Strategy Consultation and at Official level to continue delivering relevant work managed under the DSF. The inaugural DIJC meeting is planned to take place in June 2025.

What the membership is of the defence industrial joint council.

The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) incorporates representation from the breadth of the defence sector, including defence primes, Small and Medium Enterprises, mid-tiers, investors, academia, trade unions and trade associations. The membership composition of the DIJC includes subject matter experts that reflect the diversity of the defence sector. An announcement of the initial membership composition for the Top Level Council will be provided in due course.

What proportion of the cost of maintaining the nuclear programme was spent in the UK in each of the last five years.

The Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) consists of a range of interdependent programmes to support, maintain and renew the United Kingdom’s independent nuclear deterrent. For the past two years, over 90% of DNE spend was directly with UK suppliers.The DNE was established in financial year 2023-24. Due to organisational changes, comparable information is not held centrally for earlier years and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

What the requirements are for membership of the defence industrial joint council.

The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) incorporates representation from the breadth of the defence sector, including defence primes, Small and Medium Enterprises, mid-tiers, investors, academia, trade unions and trade associations. The membership composition of the DIJC includes subject matter experts that reflect the diversity of the defence sector. An announcement of the initial membership composition for the Top Level Council will be provided in due course.

When he expects the defence industrial joint council to first meet.

On 2 December 2024, as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, it was announced by the Secretary of State that the Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) will be replaced by a new Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC). At this point the Defence Suppliers Forum was disbanded, but strategic engagement with Industry and the Defence Sector has continued via the Defence Industrial Strategy Consultation and at Official level to continue delivering relevant work managed under the DSF. The inaugural DIJC meeting is planned to take place in June 2025.

When the defence suppliers forum executive group last met.

The Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) has been replaced by the new Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC). The DSF Main last met on 15 November 2023 and the DSF Executive Group on 25 September 2024.

When the defence suppliers forum main meeting last took place.

The Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) has been replaced by the new Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC). The DSF Main last met on 15 November 2023 and the DSF Executive Group on 25 September 2024.

Whether Foxhound vehicles have been donated to Ukraine (a) before and (b) since 5 July 2024.

Over 240 protected mobility vehicles have been donated to Ukraine since February 2022.

Whether Mastiff vehicles have been donated to Ukraine (a) before and (b) since 5 July 2024.

Over 240 protected mobility vehicles have been donated to Ukraine since February 2022.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 May to Question 49007 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, whether he has a target for procuring additional strike capabilities for the Queen Elizabeth class.

The Strategic Defence Review will inform any requirement for additional strike capabilities for the Queen Elizabeth Class. In the interim, the Royal Navy continues to investigate emerging technologies to understand how they can contribute to enhancing operational advantage. Fixed Wing Autonomous Collaborative Platforms have the potential to enhance operational advantage, hence, will be evaluated in collaboration with the Royal Air Force.

How many Husky vehicles have been donated to Ukraine (a) before 5 July 2024 and (b) since 5 July 2024.

Over 240 protected mobility vehicles have been donated to Ukraine since February 2022.

How many space liaison officers are stationed in the military.

There are two international space liaison officers stationed in UK Space Command.