Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, how much has been spent on the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme; and when the business case was first submitted.

Since its inception, the UK has invested over £2 billion already in Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme (FCAS/GCAP) and the associated Team Tempest research and development programme. GCAP is the trilateral acquisition programme developing the core platform, whilst FCAS comprises of highly integrated and aligned programmes and capabilities, a wider ‘system of systems’ with the crewed aircraft at its heart.The FCAS Outline Business Case 1 (OBC1) was submitted in March 2021. Furthermore, the FCAS Strategic Outline Case (SOC) was first submitted in December 2018.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing the MODnet Evolve Programme.

Significant progress has been made on the MODNET Evolve programme over the last quarter. The development of the next generation MODNET Official service is nearing completion, and rollout of the new service to Ministry of Defence's (MOD) 200,000 users worldwide began in February 2025 with the start of the rollout to the 700-user pilot group. The new Managed Print Service has been rolled out to over 95% of sites worldwide, with the remainder due for completion this financial year. This is providing a more secure and easier to use service, while saving MOD circa £26 million across the life of the new contract. The contract for the MODNET Secret service was signed in December 2024, and is on track to achieve Service Transition by end June 2025 resulting in formal exit from the ATLAS contract. All these contracts deliver considerable cost savings to defence, enhance the quality of service to users, and ensure MOD has a modern ICT infrastructure that aligns to the Department’s need.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, how much has been spent on the AWE Client Partnership Framework; and when the business case was first submitted.

As of March 2025, £3.8 million has been spent on the development phase of the AWE Client Partnership Framework. The business case for the framework was submitted to the Cabinet Office in January 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, what expenditure was involved in the Future Maritime Support Programme; and when the business case was first submitted.

The Full Business Case for the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) was submitted in November 2020 and contracts were awarded in April 2021. The current total approved budgetary limit for FMSP through to contract expiration in 2026 is £6.853 billion.An extension of the current contract to 2028 is currently being costed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, what expenditure was involved in the Sheffield Forgemaster Recapitalisation; and when the business case was first submitted.

The Government will provide a full update on the Sheffield Forgemasters recapitalisation later this year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, what expenditure is involved in the Astute programme; and when the business case was first submitted.

The Astute programme’s Approved Budgetary Level is currently £12.2 billion. The business case was submitted to HM Treasury in March 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, what expenditure is involved in the Project BRAMLEY (ICT infrastructure); and when the business case was first submitted.

This information is being withheld on the grounds of National Security as its’ disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the United Kingdom.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, what expenditure is involved in the Defence Marine Services - Next Generation; and when the business case was first submitted.

The Full Business Case (FBC) was submitted to the Department’s Investment Approval Committee (IAC) members on 21 January 2025. Permission to proceed with the award of contracts was received on 9 April 2025. The FBC authorised an Approved Budgetary Limit of £1.393 Billion over 10 years for the DMS-NG programme (including Ministry of Defence cost and risk provision).

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, how much has been spent on Submarine Disposal Capability; and when the business case was first submitted.

As of April 2025, the Submarine Disposal Capability Project has spent £300,000. The Project submitted its business case to His Majesty’s Treasury in February 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, how much has been spent on Dreadnought Support; and when the business case was first submitted.

As of April 2025, there has been no spend on the Dreadnought Support Programme. The business case to initiate the support activities is currently going through the relevant approvals process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, how much has been spent on Project Appivate; and when the business case was first submitted.

Appivate is the RAF's own in-house software delivery team, established as an innovation initiative in 2021.Since it was established, the total spend by RAF digital on Appivate up to the end of financial year 2024-25 was £26.2 million.The Business Case referred to in the answer to Question 43178 was submitted to the Cabinet Office in March 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, how much has been spent on the Land Ground Based Air Defence Mounted SHORAD; and when the business case was first submitted.

The Full Business Case for GBAD, which included Mounted SHORAD, was submitted for approval in November 2023. Following approval, contracts have recently been placed and further spend will support the Weapon systems development for Mounted SHORAD.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Skynet 6 Programme.

The Skynet 6 Programme continues to progress to meet Defence’s satellite communication needs. The build of the Skynet 6A satellite is about to transition into the testing and validation phase. Negotiations for the acquisition of a single narrowband satellite and the competition for up to three wideband satellites are both progressing. The ground infrastructure has remained fully operational.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Future Cruise Anti Ship Weapon programme.

Work on the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon programme is continuing under contract with MBDA. Discussions with our partners to finalise arrangements for the next phase are in progress.

When he plans to answer Question 37245, tabled on 11 March 2025.

There are no plans for funding to be taken from the Ministry of Defence for the use of the Intelligence and Security services. The Prime Minister has outlined plans to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, and set an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next Parliament.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 December to Question 17174 on Ukraine: Military Aid, following the official retirement of the Puma helicopter fleet, whether he plans to gift any Puma helicopters to Ukraine.

The granting of weapons and equipment to Ukraine is made in response to official requests made by the Ukrainian Government.We continue to liaise closely with Ukraine to deliver the capabilities they require to resist Russian aggression. Further decisions on Puma and Chinook will be made in due course and be communicated in the usual way. We continue to assess the feasibility and the utility of Granting-in-Kind different capabilities to Ukraine.

When he will plans to Answer Question 34894 on Boxer Vehicles: Procurement, tabled on 3 March 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him to Questions 34895 and 34896 on 10 March 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 36721 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 26308 on Army and Marines: Training, tabled on 24 January.

I responded to the hon. Member on 28 April 2025.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Mine Hunting Capability Programme.

The Mine Hunting Capability Programme is delivering a rolling programme of uncrewed surface vessels and uncrewed underwater vehicles into Royal Navy service, for use by frontline mine warfare specialists. These autonomous mine hunting systems are in regular use by the Mine Threat Exploitation Group, both for training and operations.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Future Combat Air System programme.

Progress continues to be made on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The core platform, that will sit at its heart, is being delivered through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).The GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) to oversee delivery on behalf of our partner governments, Japan and Italy, has been created. Additionally, on 13 December, BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC), reached an agreement to form a new company under a business joint venture for GCAP, subject to regulatory approvals.Both the GIGO and the proposed Industry Joint Venture will have their Head Quarters in Reading.