Written questions by Cartlidge.

What the out of service date is for Desert Hawk III.

Project TIQUILA is delivering next-generation Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) that will enhance decision superiority and enable the delivery of kinetic effects on the modern battlefield. Project TIQUILA has delivered VXE30 and INDAGO 4 equipment to front-line units, who are currently being trained on them ahead of reaching Initial Operating Capability (IOC). The VXE30 RPAS will reach IOC in April 2025, and the INDAGO 4 RPAS will reach IOC in June 2025. The Desert Hawk III Mini-Uncrewed Aerial System exited service at its Out of Service Date in March 2023.

What progress he has made on Project Tiquila.

Project TIQUILA is delivering next-generation Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) that will enhance decision superiority and enable the delivery of kinetic effects on the modern battlefield. Project TIQUILA has delivered VXE30 and INDAGO 4 equipment to front-line units, who are currently being trained on them ahead of reaching Initial Operating Capability (IOC). The VXE30 RPAS will reach IOC in April 2025, and the INDAGO 4 RPAS will reach IOC in June 2025. The Desert Hawk III Mini-Uncrewed Aerial System exited service at its Out of Service Date in March 2023.

Whether he plans to implement the Modernised Accommodation Offer.

This Government is clear that our people are our greatest strength, and provision of Service accommodation is essential to their operational effectiveness. An attractive accommodation offer helps deliver military capability and contributes to retaining Service personnel. Changes to family accommodation entitlements under the Modernised Accommodation Offer are still under review and will be confirmed in due course. The Ministry of Defence remains committed to widening the entitlement to family accommodation to maintain a mobile, deployable, and winning force, whilst also meeting the varying needs of all its people. This includes widening entitlement to those personnel with children resident over 80 nights per year.

Whether there have been any changes to the process of issuing security clearances to representatives of defence businesses by his Department since 5 July 2024.

UKSV (Cabinet Office) is the sole provider of National Security Vetting and is responsible for issuing security clearances. Ministry of Defence (MOD), including Defence suppliers accredited by MOD to act as a sponsor for National Security Vetting, is a customer of UKSV. There have been no changes to the process of issuing security clearances to representatives of Defence businesses since 5 July 2024.

When the VXE30 drone will reach minimum deployable capability.

Project TIQUILA is delivering next-generation Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) that will enhance decision superiority and enable the delivery of kinetic effects on the modern battlefield. Project TIQUILA has delivered VXE30 and INDAGO 4 equipment to front-line units, who are currently being trained on them ahead of reaching Initial Operating Capability (IOC). The VXE30 RPAS will reach IOC in April 2025, and the INDAGO 4 RPAS will reach IOC in June 2025. The Desert Hawk III Mini-Uncrewed Aerial System exited service at its Out of Service Date in March 2023.

When Indago 4 will reach minimum deployable capability.

Project TIQUILA is delivering next-generation Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) that will enhance decision superiority and enable the delivery of kinetic effects on the modern battlefield. Project TIQUILA has delivered VXE30 and INDAGO 4 equipment to front-line units, who are currently being trained on them ahead of reaching Initial Operating Capability (IOC). The VXE30 RPAS will reach IOC in April 2025, and the INDAGO 4 RPAS will reach IOC in June 2025. The Desert Hawk III Mini-Uncrewed Aerial System exited service at its Out of Service Date in March 2023.

Whether he plans to expand the deployment of Peregrine on naval vessels beyond HMS Lancaster.

The performance of the Peregrine system has been continuously monitored since it was deployed on HMS Lancaster, and it continues to be assessed. There is a significant focus on improving integration and maximising performance as the crew's operating experience of the Peregrine system grows. The Royal Navy's transition to uncrewed systems is expected to be addressed in the Strategic Defence Review.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the deployment of Peregrine on HMS Lancaster.

The performance of the Peregrine system has been continuously monitored since it was deployed on HMS Lancaster, and it continues to be assessed. There is a significant focus on improving integration and maximising performance as the crew's operating experience of the Peregrine system grows. The Royal Navy's transition to uncrewed systems is expected to be addressed in the Strategic Defence Review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 33516 on Defence: Finance, whether his plan to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence expenditure in the 2026-27 financial year includes expenditure on the intelligence and security services.

The Prime Minister has announced that the definition of defence spending will be updated to recognise what our security and intelligence agencies do to boost our security, as well as our military. That, combined with the increase to defence spending, will mean that in 2026-27 the UK will spend 2.6% of GDP on NATO-qualifying defence expenditure.

Whether the Strategic Defence Review will consider the UK's nuclear capability.

As stated in the Strategic Defence Review's published Terms of Reference, the Government has a total commitment to the independent UK nuclear deterrent. The Review is considering the efficiency and effectiveness of the nuclear programme.As a Government we are proud to have a triple lock commitment to the UK's nuclear deterrent. This comprises continuing the construction of four new Dreadnought Class submarines, maintaining the Continuous at Sea Deterrent; and delivery of all future upgrades needed, including the replacement warhead.

If she will make an estimate of the annual amount of interest accrued on all assets frozen by the Government in relation to the war in Ukraine.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), part of HM Treasury, published in its 2022-2023 Annual Review that between February 2022 and October 2023, £22.7 billion in frozen funds had been reported to OFSI in relation to the Russia sanctions regime. This is an aggregate figure as to not disclose the value of any funds held by particular designated persons or entities and is a cumulative total of assets report.Interest accrued on frozen assets is still subject to an asset freeze to be frozen immediately by the person in possession or control of them, but there is no change in ownership of the frozen funds or economic resources, and they are not transferred to HM Treasury. As there is no obligation for a relevant institution to inform OFSI when it has credited interest to a frozen account, OFSI does not hold this information.

If she will make an estimate of the value of unallocated interest from assets frozen as part of the Government’s support for Ukraine.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), part of HM Treasury, published in its 2022-2023 Annual Review that between February 2022 and October 2023, £22.7 billion in frozen funds had been reported to OFSI in relation to the Russia sanctions regime. This is an aggregate figure as to not disclose the value of any funds held by particular designated persons or entities and is a cumulative total of assets report.Interest accrued on frozen assets is still subject to an asset freeze to be frozen immediately by the person in possession or control of them, but there is no change in ownership of the frozen funds or economic resources, and they are not transferred to HM Treasury. As there is no obligation for a relevant institution to inform OFSI when it has credited interest to a frozen account, OFSI does not hold this information.

What the value is of assets frozen as part of the Government’s support for Ukraine.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), part of HM Treasury, published in its 2022-2023 Annual Review that between February 2022 and October 2023, £22.7 billion in frozen funds had been reported to OFSI in relation to the Russia sanctions regime. This is an aggregate figure as to not disclose the value of any funds held by particular designated persons or entities and is a cumulative total of assets report.Interest accrued on frozen assets is still subject to an asset freeze to be frozen immediately by the person in possession or control of them, but there is no change in ownership of the frozen funds or economic resources, and they are not transferred to HM Treasury. As there is no obligation for a relevant institution to inform OFSI when it has credited interest to a frozen account, OFSI does not hold this information.

What estimate she has made of the amount of interest accrued from frozen Russian assets that has been used to provide military aid to Ukraine.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), part of HM Treasury, published in its 2022-2023 Annual Review that between February 2022 and October 2023, £22.7 billion in frozen funds had been reported to OFSI in relation to the Russia sanctions regime. This is an aggregate figure as to not disclose the value of any funds held by particular designated persons or entities and is a cumulative total of assets report.Interest accrued on frozen assets is still subject to an asset freeze to be frozen immediately by the person in possession or control of them, but there is no change in ownership of the frozen funds or economic resources, and they are not transferred to HM Treasury. As there is no obligation for a relevant institution to inform OFSI when it has credited interest to a frozen account, OFSI does not hold this information.

How many 5.56mm rifle rounds have been procured for Ukraine since 5 July 2024.

The UK has provided over six million rounds of small arms and light weapons ammunition to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We cannot comment on specific calibres of ammunition or more detailed procurement and delivery schedules due to operational security.

For what reasons there has been a delay in commencing the CETUS sea trials.

CETUS is undergoing Integrated Test, Evaluation and Acceptance trials which are expected to complete in the summer, before handover to the Royal Navy. This is six months later than planned because of an amendment to the original design of the vessel. CETUS will continue progressive experimentation and capability demonstration activities until late 2027. CETUS is a capability demonstrator, so will enable greater understanding of how this type of vehicle can be operated, maintained and commanded - it is not intended to enter operational service and therefore does not have a target in-service date.

What his target in service date is for CETUS.

CETUS is undergoing Integrated Test, Evaluation and Acceptance trials which are expected to complete in the summer, before handover to the Royal Navy. This is six months later than planned because of an amendment to the original design of the vessel. CETUS will continue progressive experimentation and capability demonstration activities until late 2027. CETUS is a capability demonstrator, so will enable greater understanding of how this type of vehicle can be operated, maintained and commanded - it is not intended to enter operational service and therefore does not have a target in-service date.

What recent progress has been made on the NATO anti-submarine warfare barrier smart defence initiative.

The Smart Defence Initiative is one part of our portfolio of work to maintain operational advantage in the underwater domain. Subject to Strategic Defence Review outcomes it will be deployed alongside other fixed and crewed systems and will be complimented by advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and autonomy. The NATO Anti-Submarine Warfare Smart Defence Initiative is UK led with a mandate to accelerate the exploitation of maritime uncrewed systems to support theatre undersea capability. The UK is taking the lead on the flagship project, the Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network. Industry engagement is already underway and closes at the end of the month.

How many 7.62mm rounds have been procured for Ukraine since 5 July 2024.

The UK has provided over six million rounds of small arms and light weapons ammunition to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We cannot comment on specific calibres of ammunition or more detailed procurement and delivery schedules due to operational security.

What recent estimate he has made of when (a) trials and (b) experimentation of CETUS will conclude.

CETUS is undergoing Integrated Test, Evaluation and Acceptance trials which are expected to complete in the summer, before handover to the Royal Navy. This is six months later than planned because of an amendment to the original design of the vessel. CETUS will continue progressive experimentation and capability demonstration activities until late 2027. CETUS is a capability demonstrator, so will enable greater understanding of how this type of vehicle can be operated, maintained and commanded - it is not intended to enter operational service and therefore does not have a target in-service date.