Written questions by Cartlidge.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Military Aviation Authority in increasing the testing of uncrewed systems.

The Military Aviation Authority (MAA) as the air safety regulator for the Defence Air Environment sets the regulatory framework for Uncrewed Air System (UAS) Test and Evaluation (T&E) but does not own, direct or deliver any UAS T&E activity. In support of the Ministry of Defence’s uncrewed ambitions, over the past five years the MAA has reorganised, upskilled and developed an updated and flexible approach to certification and regulation of UAS.

With reference to the Prime Minister’s oral statement on Defence and Security of 25 February 2025, Official Report, column 631 whether he plans to proceed with the decommissioning of HMS Northumberland.

All named ships remain scheduled for decommissioning in line with the Secretary of State’s announcement of 20 November 2024. We continue to invest in the capabilities needed to meet current and future operational requirements. This will see the introduction of the Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates, the Multi-Role Support Ships, and the Fleet Solid Support Ships.

With reference to the oral statement of the Prime Minister of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, column 631, whether it remains his policy to proceed with the decommissioning of the Puma helicopter fleet.

The phased retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters over the next four years, synchronised with the delivery of replacement state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 (Extended Range) from 2027 onwards, represents the optimal transition that delivers the new aircraft and trained aircrew.Likewise, it remains the Department's position to retire Puma on 31 Mar 25 while the new Airbus H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopter will enter service from 2026 in both Brunei and Cyprus. In the interim, the Department continues to assess any capability gaps and will deploy Chinook to Cyprus in support of the wildfire season.

With reference to the comments by the Prime Minister published in the Telegraph on 16 February 2025, whether he plans to proceed with the decommissioning of fourteen CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

The phased retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters over the next four years, synchronised with the delivery of replacement state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 (Extended Range) from 2027 onwards, represents the optimal transition that delivers the new aircraft and trained aircrew.Likewise, it remains the Department's position to retire Puma on 31 Mar 25 while the new Airbus H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopter will enter service from 2026 in both Brunei and Cyprus. In the interim, the Department continues to assess any capability gaps and will deploy Chinook to Cyprus in support of the wildfire season.

With reference to the comments by the Prime Minister published in the Telegraph on 16 February 2025, whether he plans to proceed with the decommissioning of the Puma helicopter fleet .

The phased retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters over the next four years, synchronised with the delivery of replacement state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 (Extended Range) from 2027 onwards, represents the optimal transition that delivers the new aircraft and trained aircrew.Likewise, it remains the Department's position to retire Puma on 31 Mar 25 while the new Airbus H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopter will enter service from 2026 in both Brunei and Cyprus. In the interim, the Department continues to assess any capability gaps and will deploy Chinook to Cyprus in support of the wildfire season.

With reference to the oral statement of the Prime Minister of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, column 631, whether it remains his policy to proceed with the decommissioning of fourteen CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

The phased retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters over the next four years, synchronised with the delivery of replacement state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 (Extended Range) from 2027 onwards, represents the optimal transition that delivers the new aircraft and trained aircrew.Likewise, it remains the Department's position to retire Puma on 31 Mar 25 while the new Airbus H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopter will enter service from 2026 in both Brunei and Cyprus. In the interim, the Department continues to assess any capability gaps and will deploy Chinook to Cyprus in support of the wildfire season.

With reference to the Prime Minister’s Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, columns 361-364, whether he will extend any contacts for the lead members of the Strategic Review team beyond their original termination date.

The external review team continue to support the Government in delivering this crucial piece of work. The Strategic Defence Review-which will be published in the Spring-will ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad, now and for the years to come.

How many draft versions of the Strategic Defence Review he has received from Lord Robertson.

The Strategic Defence Review is advanced as the Prime Minister has said. The Review, which will be published in the spring, will help set the path for Britain's defence for the next decade.

Whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleague on the potential deployment of British peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.

The Secretary of State regularly holds discussions with his Cabinet colleagues on the war in Ukraine and how we can continue to best support Ukraine going forward.We are not going to get into any further details at this stage and our focus is on ensuring Ukraine is in as strong a position as possible. When, how and on what terms this war comes to an end can only be decided by negotiations with Ukraine at the heart of them.

What discussions he has held with international allies regarding Britain’s role in the ARRC, in the context of his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2025.

Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC) provides NATO with a rapidly deployable, flexible HQ that can act as a Joint, Land or Corps HQ for operations and crisis response. The United Kingdom is HQ ARRC’s ‘framework nation’ and British personnel comprise over 60% of its workforce. Located in Gloucester, HQ ARRC is a multinational organisation, with twenty-one NATO and Partner Nations contributing personnel. While the Secretary of State had a number of engagements with Allies at the Munich Security Conference 2025, he did not specifically discuss Britain’s role in the ARRC during these meetings.

What economic assumptions her Department has used to calculate the proposed increase in defence spending of £13.4bn by 2027.

Economic assumptions are based on independent forecasts provided by the OBR, under the Charter of Budget Responsibility. The next forecast will become available at the Spring Statement on 26 March in the usual way.

What discussions he has held with international allies regarding Britain’s role in the Joint Expeditionary Force, in the context of his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2025.

The UK is the framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). Since the Munich Security Conference, the Secretary of State has discussed the JEF with his Norwegian counterpart during a visit to Norway from 19 - 20 February 2025 and at a meeting of JEF Defence Ministers by VTC on 27 February 2025. The Secretary of State will also host a meeting of JEF Defence Ministers in London on 26 March 2025. Additionally, I discussed matters relating to JEF on visits to Finland, Lithuania, Denmark and the Netherland last week.

What steps he is taking to help reduce the number of electrical devices (a) misplaced by and (b) stolen from staff in his Department.

The Ministry of Defence takes the security of defence assets very seriously, and we have robust policies and procedures to prevent losses and thefts, including where such devices can be taken and not leaving them unattended. Defence personnel are regularly reminded of their responsibilities to safeguard Defence assets. Proportionate security controls are used to protect electronic devices according to the classification and nature of the information which the asset can hold.

What discussions he has held with international allies on the appointment of the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe in the context of his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2025.

Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) is one of NATO’s two strategic commanders and is a post that is traditionally held by the US. The Secretary of State did not have any specific discussions about the appointment of the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe in the context of his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2025.

What discussions he has held with international allies regarding Britain’s role in NATO, in the context of his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2025.

At the Munich Security Conference, the Secretary of State for Defence met with his counterparts from Norway, Sweden, and New Zealand. He also attended a working breakfast, which was attended by a number of Allied Defence Ministers. Earlier in the same week, the Secretary of State attended the NATO Defence Ministers meeting and Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels. In these meetings, the Secretary of State reiterated the Government’s NATO First policy and the UK’s commitment to remaining the leading NATO Ally in Europe.

Whether any proportion of the proposed increase in defence spending from 2027 will be spent on providing further military aid to Ukraine.

The Government is committed to providing at least £3 billion a year to Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Whether the proposed increase in defence spending will be a real terms increase of £6bn.

The Government's commitment to increase defence investment to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 will result in a £13.4 billion increase to defence spending in cash terms in 2027-28 compared to 2024-25.

Wheat information his Department holds on the number of (a) computers, (b) USBs, (c) phones and (d) laptops used by MOD staff have been (i) misplaced or (ii) stolen since 5 July 2024.

The Ministry of Defence takes the security of its devices seriously and requires all losses and thefts to be reported. The figures for the period requested are: ComputersUSBsPhonesLaptopsFrom 5th July 24112148August 2400611September- 2401198October 24023719November 240142December 240073January 25051247Up to 27th February 25021454Total111335662 It is important to note that not all the above incidents have resulted in actual losses or thefts. There are occasions where devices couldn't be accounted for, so were reported, but have subsequently been found. The number of phones misplaced, lost or stolen is high due to 2 incidents being submitted by one art of Defence regarding the mustering of assets. Although it appears likely that the cause is poor accounting, the phones are still recorded here. The discrepancy came to light following the strengthening of mobile device accounting processes within that organisation, which will ensure improved record keeping and improve utilisation of these devices in future, with associated costs and wastage minimised. Whilst we have seen significant improvements around laptops, due to the accounting errors in relation to phones, we have not seen similar improvements in this area at this time.

When he expects to appoint a permanent National Armaments Director.

The National Armaments Director will ensure the Armed Forces are properly equipped to defence Britain, to build up the British defence industry and to crack down on waste. The recruitment process for the role has begun, with a search for candidates underway. The new National Armaments Director will take up the role once the appropriate notice period from any previous employment has been served.

Whether the British Army is currently of appropriate (a) scale and (b) capability to provide a potential peacekeeping force to Ukraine.

The UK is ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine Our focus is ensuring Ukraine is in as strong a position as possible. When, how and on what terms this war comes to an end can only be decided by negotiations with Ukraine at the heart of them.