Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,021–2,040 of 3,171 · this parliament
What recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Mensa programme.
The MENSA programme has presented several challenges which have resulted in cost growth and delays. The programme is nearing the end of its construction and commissioning stage, which is reflected by the Amber rating in the Infrastructure and Projects Authority Annual Report 2023-24.
What recent progress his Department has made on the Core Production Capability Programme.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 29127 from the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Calvin Bailey) on 14 February 2025.
What recent progress his Department has made on the Boxer programme.
The Mechanised Infantry (Boxer) programme has made significant progress with all five standalone prototypes having been delivered and trials performing well. Support and training plans are also well underway. 24 of 623 series production vehicles have now been contractually delivered to MOD. Over 100 are in production across Germany and UK factories with the first UK made Boxer unveiled in January, a major milestone for our Land Industrial Strategy. We now expect a steady progression of vehicles month on month, completing industry production, test and acceptance by MOD and delivery into Field Army users for training to ramp up this year.
What recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Marshall programme.
The Marshall Programme currently remains on track to achieve Full Operational Capability in October 2026. The latest major milestone achieved was the successful transition of RAF Lossiemouth to the new air traffic systems in November 2024. In co-ordination with the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, it has been determined that Marshall will off-board from the Government Major Projects Portfolio in Quarter one, Financial Year 2025-26.
What recent progress his Department has made on the Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme.
The Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP) is made up two parts. The Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Integrated Capability (MEWSIC) Increment 1 contract was placed in October 2021 and will deliver a digital Radar and Electronic Support Measures (RESM) capability to the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers, Type 45 destroyers, Type 26 and Type 31 frigates. It is being supplied by a consortium made up of Babcock International and Elbit Systems (UK). System one is undergoing integration and development testing, with systems two and three undergoing environmental testing prior to delivery. For Electronic Warfare Countermeasure (EWCM), a contract was placed in March 2024 and will deliver a countermeasure launcher for Type 45 destroyers, Type 26 and Type 31 frigates. The Ancilia launcher (a trainable decoy) is being supplied by Systems Engineering and Assessment Ltd with delivery expected to commence in 2026.
What recent progress his Department has made on the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems programme.
The Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems (LETacCIS) programme will deliver the next generation of tactical military communications in the land environment. The programme consists of multiple complex projects delivering new capabilities over time as opposed to a single milestone. Most recently, the programme has seen progress in three projects: The Multi-Mode Radio (MMR) project achieved Full Operating Capability in November 2024. This milestone saw 1,360 radios, ancillaries and batteries delivered into service, significantly boosting the communication capabilities of our joint forces and increasing interoperability with our key allies. Project TRINITY will conduct a Manufacturing Data Readiness Design Review in June 2025. This is an essential step in the Demonstration phase, allowing the project to progress towards the Manufacture phase. The Land Deployable Gateway (LDGv2) project is on contract with General Dynamics Mission Systems (UK) and will deliver an improved gateway solution from September 2025. LDGv2 will deliver new hardware, software and security upgrades, providing significant capability enhancements that ensure interoperability with NATO partners.
What recent progress his Department has made on the AJAX programme.
The Armoured Cavalry programme continues to remain on track to achieve Initial Operating Capability by December 2025.As at 10 April 2025, 100 Ajax platforms have been accepted by the Ministry of Defence.
What recent progress his Department has made on the Crowsnest Programme.
The Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 Airborne Surveillance and Control helicopter, as delivered by the CROWSNEST programme, achieved Full Operating Capability as of 29 March 2025. It is currently preparing to embark on the upcoming Carrier Strike Group 2025 deployment (Op HIGHMAST).
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, 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.