Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,621–1,640 of 2,781 · Ministry of Defence
What information his Department holds on the number of UK companies that have applied to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community exemption from the US International Traffic in Arms regulations.
So far, 269 entities have applied to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community exemption from the US International Traffic in Arms regulations.
Whether UK sovereign capability will be considered in the procurement of a replacement for the SA80 rifle.
Project GRAYBURN aims to replace the L85 family of rifles with a new weapon system fit for future warfare. This will be achieved in partnership with industry by growing UK sovereign manufacturing skills and infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence is committed to investing in our nation’s prosperity and supporting and developing our competitive industrial base through provision of education, skills and jobs. The Defence Industrial Strategy will articulate how best Defence can contribute to sovereign operational independence, including in the production of small arms.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of General Data Protection Regulations on the training of armed forces personnel to use uncrewed systems.
The Department has policies and procedures in place to ensure that all its processes are compliant under Data Protection legislation and Ministry of Defence personnel are mandated to complete data protection training on an annual basis. This was most recently reviewed and updated in 2024. There have been no specific reports of GDPR restrictions affecting activities. Training regularly features drones as part of exercises. We are constantly experimenting with and embracing innovative technology, including in drone warfare.
What the average processing time is for UK applications for companies to join the Authorised User Community exemption from the U.S. International Traffic in Arms regulations.
The Ministry of Defence has only recently fully established the new Authorised User Community (AUC) joining process. Application timelines were not monitored while the process was being established. Data will be gathered over the next few months to provide indicative processing timelines. It is also worth noting that once the UK process has been completed, the US must then complete its own checks on the applicants prior to those entities being approved for membership of the AUC.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43148 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, whether his Department has used artificial intelligence to support (a) routine operations and (b) policy work for operational matters.
The provision of support to routine operations by artificial intelligence (AI) is ambitious, safe and responsible, in line with the Dependable AI Joint Service Publication 936. All capabilities, whether AI-enabled or not, are developed and used in line with existing rigorous processes to ensure safety, effectiveness and lawfulness. Adherence to the rule of law is central to the Ministry of Defence’s approach to and its conduct of military operations. Any operation supported by AI is subject to the same applicable laws. Military commanders remain responsible for their decisions at all times, including where these are enabled by AI.
How many UK companies have been approved to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community exemption from the U.S. International Traffic in Arms regulations.
98 entities have been approved with 171 entities currently going through the approval process.
What steps he is taking to increase UK sovereign capability in small arms production.
Project GRAYBURN aims to replace the L85 family of rifles with a new weapon system fit for future warfare. This will be achieved in partnership with industry by growing UK sovereign manufacturing skills and infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence is committed to investing in our nation’s prosperity and supporting and developing our competitive industrial base through provision of education, skills and jobs. The Defence Industrial Strategy will articulate how best Defence can contribute to sovereign operational independence, including in the production of small arms.
With reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support, HCWS619, what impact will VALOUR have on Veterans’ Advisory and Pensions Committees.
VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A new VALOUR HQ within the Ministry of Defence, a network of field officers, regional VALOUR-recognised support centres, and development funding to support local delivery will be established, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. VALOUR will foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure veterans’ support is data driven. With new funding for veterans from the Ministry of Defence budget, the detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course.
With reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support, HCWS619, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this announcement on Op COURAGE.
VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A new VALOUR HQ within the Ministry of Defence, a network of field officers, regional VALOUR-recognised support centres, and development funding to support local delivery will be established, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. VALOUR will foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure veterans’ support is data driven. VALOUR will ensure that services such as Op COURAGE are connected with others so that veterans receive the support they require.
With reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025, HCWS619, on Veterans Support, whether VALOUR will be administered by the Office for Veterans Affairs.
VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A new VALOUR HQ within the Ministry of Defence, a network of field officers, regional VALOUR-recognised support centres, and development funding to support local delivery will be established, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. VALOUR will foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure veterans’ support is data driven. With new funding for veterans from the Ministry of Defence budget, the detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course.
With reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support, HCWS619, whether VALOUR services will offer legal advice for veterans subject to judicial proceedings arising from service on Operation Banner.
As a part of our ongoing commitment to veterans involved in Northern Ireland legal processes, the Ministry of Defence provides welfare support and where appropriate, legal support, at public expense.
With reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support, HCWS619, what the regional breakdown will be of Regional Field Officers.
VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A new VALOUR HQ within the Ministry of Defence, a network of field officers, regional VALOUR-recognised support centres, and development funding to support local delivery will be established, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. VALOUR will foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure veterans’ support is data driven. With new funding for veterans from the Ministry of Defence budget, the detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course.
With reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support: A New Approach, HCWS619, if the regional field officers will be (a) service personnel, (b) veterans, (c) civil servants and (d) recruited from elsewhere.
VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A new VALOUR HQ within the Ministry of Defence, a network of field officers, regional VALOUR-recognised support centres, and development funding to support local delivery will be established, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. VALOUR will foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure veterans’ support is data driven. With new funding for veterans from the Ministry of Defence budget, the detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course.
With reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025, HCWS619, on Veterans Support, what the administrative cost is for implementing VALOUR.
VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A new VALOUR HQ within the Ministry of Defence, a network of field officers, regional VALOUR-recognised support centres, and development funding to support local delivery will be established, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. VALOUR will foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure veterans’ support is data driven. With new funding for veterans from the Ministry of Defence budget, the detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course.
With reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support: A New Approach, HCWS619, whether the £50 million funding is in addition to the previously announced funding for defence made by the Prime Minister in his Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, columns 631-634.
VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A new VALOUR HQ within the Ministry of Defence, a network of field officers, regional VALOUR-recognised support centres, and development funding to support local delivery will be established, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. VALOUR will foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure veterans’ support is data driven. With new funding for veterans from the Ministry of Defence budget, the detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course.
When he plans to publish his Department's next Equipment Plan.
The Government is committed to sharing more detail of the Ministry of Defence's future investment choices following the Strategic Defence Review. The format this takes is being assessed in light of both Defence Reform and the upcoming Strategic Defence Review publication. As the Permanent Secretary set out in his letter of 12 March 2025to the Chairs of the Public Accounts Committee and Defence Select Committee, one of the options under consideration is reporting on defence investment more widely, rather than continue with the Equipment Plan in its previous format.
Pursuant to the Answer of 29 April to Question 47759 on Ukraine: Puma Helicopters, whether his Department has received any requests for rotary capability from the Ukrainian Government.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 April 2025 to Question 47759. We continue to liaise closely with Ukraine to deliver the capabilities they require to resist Russian aggression. This includes all relevant capabilities on Land, Sea and in the Air.
What the out of service date is for the Viking Personnel Armoured Vehicle.
The current projected Out of Service Dates (OSD) for the requested British Army vehicles can be found in the table below. VehicleOSDBulldog Armoured Personnel Carrier2030Warrior IFV2027Viking Personnel Armoured Vehicle2029Jackal 2 Reconnaissance Vehicle2030
Whether his Department has decided whether to procure additional F-35 fighter jets.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 28 April 2025 to Question 45186.
Whether he plans to procure the MQ-28 Ghost Bat for use by the Royal Navy.
The Royal Navy is exploring how Fixed Wing Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (FW ACPs) could augment F35B Lightning embarked in Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) carriers to provide additional strike capability. There are a number of emerging solutions for this capability and the Royal Navy will work collaboratively with the Royal Air Force to evaluate these solutions.