Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether his Department has decided whether to procure additional Typhoon fighter jets.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fylde (Andrew Snowden) on 4 March 2025 for Question 34040.

What the out of service date is for the Jackal 2 reconnaissance 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

How many units are currently operating under Project ASGARD.

The potential merits of expanding Project ASGARD are continually assessed by the Department. Over time, ASGARD will deliver a suite of benefits across the Field Army. At this stage in the project, the capabilities are being operated by a single Brigade. At the midpoint of the current Project ASGARD delivery phase, an independent review was commissioned to assess progress. The recommendations from that review were adopted in full and are being implemented. Upon completion of the current delivery phase, a formal lesson identification and capture process will be conducted, in line with best practice guidance from the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

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.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the RAF's anti-radar missile capability.

The Department has no anti-radar missile in its inventory or Equipment Plan programme of record. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is looking at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges and threats of the 21st century. The SDR will ensure the UK is secure at home and strong abroad.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding Project ASGARD.

The potential merits of expanding Project ASGARD are continually assessed by the Department. Over time, ASGARD will deliver a suite of benefits across the Field Army. At this stage in the project, the capabilities are being operated by a single Brigade. At the midpoint of the current Project ASGARD delivery phase, an independent review was commissioned to assess progress. The recommendations from that review were adopted in full and are being implemented. Upon completion of the current delivery phase, a formal lesson identification and capture process will be conducted, in line with best practice guidance from the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 April to Question 45049 on Military Strategic Headquarters: Armed Forces, whether posts will be (a) rotational, (b) competitive and (c) divided between the services to be filled by their own boarding procedures.

It is too early to specify the staffing requirements and representation levels for the four new areas of Defence created by Defence Reform: Department of State, Defence Nuclear Enterprise, National Armaments Director Group, and Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ). Head Office responsibilities have been subsumed into the new structure, and Strategic Command is part of MSHQ.However, Service personnel apportionment and representation will be balanced to ensure effective strategic direction, policy formulation, and coordination of joint capabilities and operations. It is anticipated that this continue to apply in new structure through a combination of rotation, competition-based appointments, and individual Service boarding procedures to ensure career progression and suitably qualified individuals.

Whether he plans to procure the MQ-9B Sea Protector variant for use by the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy has a requirement for Carrier Strike Airborne Early Warning following the planned withdrawal of the Crowsnest Airborne Early Warning system when it reaches the end of its service life. A market survey is being conducted to identify suitable solutions to fulfil this requirement. This will aid refinement of the requirements and determine the availability of credible choices based on their performance, availability and wider benefits such as to UK industry and the Government’s sustainability agenda.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of only including one food producer on the Food Strategy Board on (a) policy and (b) strategy discussions on food production.

The Food Strategy Advisory Board is a deliberately small group of senior leaders representing important elements and a wealth of experience from across the food system. Its role is to act as a sounding board to stress test ideas and provide advice. The establishment of the Food Strategy Advisory Board represents just one aspect of our engagement across the vast and complex food supply system. We will conduct a series of targeted stakeholder engagements that will include food producers. Alongside these, we will be using insights other Defra strategies, namely the Farming Roadmap, interconnected with the Land Use Framework and Circular Economy Taskforce. In addition, the Farming Profitability Review will include structured engagement to understand barriers to increasing profitability and make recommendations to Government.

With reference to the Written Statement of 28 April 2025 on Creation of the King’s Gurkha Artillery, HCWS 605, whether any financial incentives been offered to encourage serving Gurkhas to transfer to the new unit.

The King’s Gurkha Artillery (KGA) will be employed in the Close Support discipline within the Royal Regiment of Artillery. The KGA will initially be trained on the Light Gun, then ARCHER. They will be trained on the remote-controlled Howitzer 155 artillery system when it comes into service. No financial incentives have been offered. However, the new unit will offer career and development opportunities for Gurkha soldiers who join the KGA in recognition of their service to the UK.

With reference to the Written Statement of 28 April 2025 on Creation of the King’s Gurkha Artillery, HCWS 605, what equipment will the unit be primarily issued with.

The King’s Gurkha Artillery (KGA) will be employed in the Close Support discipline within the Royal Regiment of Artillery. The KGA will initially be trained on the Light Gun, then ARCHER. They will be trained on the remote-controlled Howitzer 155 artillery system when it comes into service. No financial incentives have been offered. However, the new unit will offer career and development opportunities for Gurkha soldiers who join the KGA in recognition of their service to the UK.

With reference to the Written Statement of 28 April 2025 on Creation of the King’s Gurkha Artillery, HCWS 605, what role the King’s Gurkha Artillery will fulfil within the Royal Artillery.

The King’s Gurkha Artillery (KGA) will be employed in the Close Support discipline within the Royal Regiment of Artillery. The KGA will initially be trained on the Light Gun, then ARCHER. They will be trained on the remote-controlled Howitzer 155 artillery system when it comes into service. No financial incentives have been offered. However, the new unit will offer career and development opportunities for Gurkha soldiers who join the KGA in recognition of their service to the UK.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37596 on Ammunition: Lost Property and Theft, whether any losses have been referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority.

All losses and thefts of ammunition are rigorously investigated, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence Police, Service Police and Home Office Police Forces as appropriate. No ammunition was reported stolen during that period and no reports to the Service Prosecution Authority were made.

Whether he plans to increase the number of UK SMEs participating in the nuclear programme supply chain.

The Defence Nuclear Enterprise supply chain is made up of over 3,000 UK-based businesses including many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who are contributing significantly to innovation, supply chain efficiency, and local economies. The Ministry of Defence continues to work with our largest suppliers through a network of their SME Champions, trade associations and SME representatives to ensure that SMEs have fair access to opportunities in all our supply chains. We have announced the launch of a new hub to provide SMEs with better access to the entire defence supply chain, including the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. We will also set direct SME spending targets by June this year, ensuring that thousands of small businesses in the UK will benefit from the decision to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. This is a chance for small, often family-owned, firms to bring their innovations, agility and their expert workforce to the task of strengthening Britain’s defences.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 44502 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, how much more it costs in monetary terms to operate a CH47 Chinook than a Puma over a month.

It is not possible to provide comparable figures for different aircraft over a month. Operating costs associated with individual platforms are dependent on several variables, including the operational outputs delivered in any given month which would affect the flying hours and therefore cost to operate. I can however confirm that the overall cost of operating a Chinook H47 is less than the cost of operating a Puma HC2.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43141 on Armed Forces: Grants, whether officer cadets in the University Officer Training Corps are entitled to apply for a bursary.

Members of the University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) are entitled to apply for bursaries in order to support them through university, helping them reach their full potential. UOTC cadets are primarily civilian university students who have volunteered for a leadership development programme alongside their studies. Whilst they undertake military training and have a formal association with the Army, they remain prospective entrants and are not considered established Service personnel with a regular or reserve commitment. This status means they are eligible to apply for bursaries as they are still classed as applicants to join the Armed Forces. This is reflected in the Army Commissioning Regulations which explicitly lists UOTC cadets as eligible applicants.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 44502 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, what non-SF jungle training courses have taken place in Brunei since 5 July 2024.

The Jungle Warfare Division delivers two Jungle Warfare Instructors Courses per year and two Operational Tracking Instructor Courses per year in Brunei for military training. Since 5 July 2024, the Jungle Warfare Division has delivered four courses. Alongside units training in Brunei, the Jungle Training Courses delivered by the Jungle Warfare Division often involve cohorts of service personnel drawn from multiple units across Defence, sometimes in small numbers. It is therefore not possible to list all the units represented as this information isn’t held centrally.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 44502 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, whether he plans to provide an interim capability for Brunei between 7 April 2025 and 7 April 2026 for non-UK SF training.

Mitigations against jungle training in Brunei are in place. The six Airbus H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopters will deploy and commence operational activity in 2026.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of fitting a boom air to air refuelling system to the Voyager tanker fleet.

All capability requirements, including those for Air-to-Air refuelling, are being considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43141 on Armed Forces: Grants, whether members of the University Officer Training Corps count as service personnel.

Members of the University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) are entitled to apply for bursaries in order to support them through university, helping them reach their full potential. UOTC cadets are primarily civilian university students who have volunteered for a leadership development programme alongside their studies. Whilst they undertake military training and have a formal association with the Army, they remain prospective entrants and are not considered established Service personnel with a regular or reserve commitment. This status means they are eligible to apply for bursaries as they are still classed as applicants to join the Armed Forces. This is reflected in the Army Commissioning Regulations which explicitly lists UOTC cadets as eligible applicants.