Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether he has set targets for the replenishment of munitions stocks in (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy, (c) the Royal Air Force and (d) Strategic Command.

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

What steps he is taking to ensure clear strategic authority over the capability of the armed forces.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

What estimate he has made of the cost of establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters within his Department.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

What estimate he has made of how many (a) officials and (b) military personnel will be required to (i) deliver and (ii) staff a Military Strategic Headquarters within his Department.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

What plans he has to give the Chief of the Defence Staff new authority.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, whether the finance provided will be subject to UK Export Finance’s Transition Export Development Guarantee.

UK Export Finance's Export Development Guarantee product helps companies who export from, or plan to export from the UK, access high value loan facilities for general working capital or capital expenditure purposes. The risk associated with this product remains centred in the UK, and consequently does not impact UKEF’s market limit for Ukraine.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, what estimate he has made of increases in the number of (a) drones and (b) other uncrewed systems available to the Ukrainian armed forces resulting from the new funding arrangements.

The UK is committed to increasing the quantity and quality of drones being provided to Ukraine, through national and international partnerships for example through the UK co-lead Drone Capability Coalition. We will deliver over 10,000 drones (both aerial and maritime) to Ukraine this financial year, with deliveries well underway. Due to rapid battlefield changes, these drones are being procured and iterated rapidly using the Ministry of Defence’s annual £3 billion of support to Ukraine, rather than the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, if he will take steps to ensure that a proportion of the additional funding for export finance to Ukraine is provided to small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK defence and security sector.

The UK/Ukraine Defence Industrial Support Treaty signed on 19 July 2024 enables Ukraine to access export financing to procure defence capability from UK companies. It is for Ukraine to decide their priorities for that financing with the agreement of HMG, and there will be opportunities for UK companies of all sizes to benefit. This includes Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the supply chain, reflecting the significant contribution that SMEs make to a robust, resilient and innovative supply chain and wider UK prosperity.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, what percentage of UK- (a) manufactured and (b) originated content will be required for (i) goods and (ii) services purchased under the arrangement to qualify for support.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, whether that funding is additional funding on top of pre-existing levels of export finance support from the UK to Ukraine.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, what his planned timetable is for making the additional finance available.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, whether any (a) goods and (b) services are excluded from the funding arrangement.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the delivery of uncrewed systems for the armed forces.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the procurement of a new multi-role support ship.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the budget for (a) service family accommodation and (b) single living accommodation.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the budget of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the Defence Drone Strategy.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on his Department's expenditure plans for the Global Combat Air programme's (a) un-crewed and

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on his Department's expenditure plans for the Global Combat Air programme core platform.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on his Department's research and development budget.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...