Written questions by Cartlidge.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of UK sovereign capability in the framework agreement for the procurement of Personal Hard Armour to support British Armed Forces personnel.

The Personal Hard Armour Framework will facilitate the procurement of personal ballistic protection through the pre-approval of suppliers and will deliver agility, consistency, and financial savings in the procurement of personal hard armour – while encouraging innovation and optimising organisational outputs. Assessment of UK sovereign capability continues to inform our market interaction, including a recent small-and medium-sized enterprise engagement day, with further activity planned. A key objective of setting up and promoting the framework is to broaden and strengthen our supply base for Personal Hard Armour, giving the UK the potential to surge and meet evolving demands.

What recent progress his Department has made on delivering the Meteor programme.

Meteor is in service on Typhoon with integration onto F-35 Lightning II progressing to plan. Initial Meteor Mid Life Activities are also on track and due to report at the end of 2025. Progression to the next stage of Mid Life is subject to the six Meteor Partner Nations agreement expected later this year.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, what the detailed changes to the Chief of Defence nuclear portfolio will be as a result of Defence Reform.

There are no changes proposed to the Chief of Defence Nuclear portfolio at this time. Whilst the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) structures remain the same, it will continue to work as an integrated enterprise as part of One Defence and use Defence Reform to strengthen the DNE's collaboration across Defence.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, what budgetary powers will be held by the single services.

As part of Defence Reform, the Chiefs will report directly to the Chief of the Defence Staff for the first time under the Military Strategic Headquarters, and will be responsible for the running costs of their business, including maintaining the readiness of the military personnel, equipment and capabilities under their command.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (c) resubordinating of single service procurement directorates.

The National Armaments Director (NAD) is responsible for end-to-end acquisition and efficient delivery of capability, maximising value for money. The Director General Commercial & Industry, in the NAD group, will delegate Commercial authorities to procurement directorates across Defence, including to Commercial resource embedded within the Military Commands.

Whether his Department has used artificial intelligence in drafting ministerial correspondence since 5 July 2024.

The Ministry of Defence is exploring various applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance corporate services and drive efficiency. While officials may use approved AI tools (such as large language models) to assist with background research and editing, all Ministerial correspondence is drafted and approved by officials and signed off by a Minister.

What recent progress his Department has made on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship Programme.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with BAE Systems (BAES) to ensure the Type 26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver world-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates to replace the Type 23.Following the steel-cut ceremony for HMS Sheffield on 28 November 2024, five of the eight Type 26 frigates are now under construction on the Clyde. HMS Cardiff is structurally complete and has joined HMS Glasgow in the dry dock at Scotstoun for the outfitting phase. Unit and block assembly on HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham continues.HMS Glasgow is forecast to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2028, with construction of all eight frigates expected to be complete by the mid-2030s.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of defence reform on single service budgets.

Single Service budgets now sit in the Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ), under the Chief of Defence Staff. Their capital investment budgets now sit with the National Armaments Director – in one ‘invest’ budget. These changes will speed up our decision making, focus on outcomes, secure faster delivery and achieve the best value for money for our troops and taxpayers.

Whether he plans to incorporate the Personal Hard Armour Framework into the Defence Industrial Strategy.

The Personal Hard Armour Framework will facilitate the procurement of personal ballistic protection through the pre-approval of suppliers and will deliver agility, consistency, and financial savings in the procurement of personal hard armour - whilst encouraging innovation and optimising organisational outputs. Market Engagement has been conducted via a small and medium sized enterprise engagement day. A key objective of setting up and promoting the framework is to broaden and strengthen our supply base for Personal Hard Armour, giving the UK the potential to surge and meet evolving demands, as well as further building our understanding of the wider market. The Framework is in alignment with the strategic aim of this Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy as set out in the Statement of Intent, and Army’s Land Industrial Strategy, to combine the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, whether he considers the Military Strategic Headquarters to be a quango.

No, the Military Strategic Headquarters is not a quango. It sits within the Ministry of Defence and is a vital part of the new Defence operating model, acting as the single point of force design and delivery of the Armed Forces.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of defence reform on Deputy Chief of Defence (a) staff positions and (b) roles.

The organisation and structure of our Armed Forces has been considered as part of Defence Reform, including the ranks of the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff roles. Within the Military Strategic Headquarters, there remains two Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (DCDS) roles: DCDS(Military Strategy and Operations) and DCDS(Force Development).

Whether he plans to conduct an investigation into the improper disposal of confidential documents in Newcastle on 16 March 2025.

We take the protection of our information very seriously and this incident is being investigated. We do not comment on the conduct of internal security investigations.

What recent progress his Department has made on the Astute programme.

This Government is committed to building seven Astute Class submarines. Five submarines have been delivered to the Royal Navy. In October 2024 the sixth vessel, Agamemnon, launched at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow to begin the test and commissioning phase. The final vessel, Achilles, remains at an advanced stage of build.

Whether he plans to incorporate the Personal Hard Armour Framework into the Land Industrial Strategy.

The Personal Hard Armour Framework will facilitate the procurement of personal ballistic protection through the pre-approval of suppliers and will deliver agility, consistency, and financial savings in the procurement of personal hard armour - whilst encouraging innovation and optimising organisational outputs. Market Engagement has been conducted via a small and medium sized enterprise engagement day. A key objective of setting up and promoting the framework is to broaden and strengthen our supply base for Personal Hard Armour, giving the UK the potential to surge and meet evolving demands, as well as further building our understanding of the wider market. The Framework is in alignment with the strategic aim of this Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy as set out in the Statement of Intent, and Army’s Land Industrial Strategy, to combine the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 March to Question 34638 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, whether he plans to provide an interim capability for (a) Cyprus and (b) Brunei between 7 April 2025 and 7 April 2026.

The Ministry of Defence continues to routinely assess and reassess capabilities required by deployed UK forces. In support of Commander British Forces Cyprus, two Royal Air Force CH47 Chinook helicopters are currently forward deployed to provide an aerial firefighting capability through the wildfire season and are able to provide a range of supporting functions. Mitigations against jungle training in Brunei are in place however it is the long-standing policy of the UK Government not to comment on UK SF activity. The six Airbus H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopters will deploy and commence operational activity in Brunei and Cyprus in 2026.

What recent progress his Department has made on the Clyde Infrastructure programme.

The Clyde Infrastructure Programme (CIP) is comprised of 15 projects at different stages of maturity. Four of these have been completed, Nuclear Support Hub, Submarine Training Facility, Surveillance and Intruder Detection Security Systems, and Jetty Facility Security Systems. There are five remaining projects that the programme continues to deliver.

What recent progress his Department has made on the Dreadnought programme.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 36206 from the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 13 March 2025.

What recent progress his Department has made on the Type 31e programme.

The Type 31 programme has made significant progress, with the first frigate, HMS Venturer, nearing structural completion and expecting to be launched later this year. HMS Active, the second in Class, is also progressing well, as has work on the third frigate, HMS Formidable, with steel cutting taking place in October 2024.

How will the Land Industrial Strategy align with the Defence Industrial Strategy.

The strategic aim of this Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy is to make sure the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. This will include reviewing and reconfirming the areas where the UK needs to retain sovereign production capacities, as well as considering the areas of the defence sector which provide the greatest opportunities for UK comparative advantage and growth. The Defence Industrial Strategy will both build on what previous strategies got right and go further. The global context is now significantly different, so we must reboot our Defence Industrial Strategy, grow our defence base at home and establish a new relationship with the broader national technology ecosystem.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 March to Question 34638 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, what assessment he has made of any capability gap created by retiring the Puma helicopter fleet in (a) Brunei and (b) Cyprus in the 2025-26 financial year.

The Ministry of Defence continues to routinely assess and reassess capabilities required by deployed UK forces. In support of Commander British Forces Cyprus, two Royal Air Force CH47 Chinook helicopters are currently forward deployed to provide an aerial firefighting capability through the wildfire season and are able to provide a range of supporting functions. Mitigations against jungle training in Brunei are in place however it is the long-standing policy of the UK Government not to comment on UK SF activity. The six Airbus H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopters will deploy and commence operational activity in Brunei and Cyprus in 2026.