Written questions by Cartlidge.

What plans he has to strengthen ties between the UK and Ukrainian defence industry.

The UK Defence and Business Secretaries met with President Zelenskyy, Defence Minister Umerov and UK industry leaders on 18 July 2024, to discuss deeper cooperation and how to boost industrial production for Ukraine.During this visit, the Defence Secretary and Ukrainian Defence Minister Umerov signed the UK/Ukraine Defence Industrial Support Treaty, which will unlock export finance to enable Ukraine to procure UK-produced equipment and support. This Treaty goes beyond immediate assistance to a long-term partnership between the UK's and Ukraine's military and industrial resilience and is a further demonstration of this Government's unwavering support to Ukraine.It also builds on the three successful Trade Missions to Ukraine, and one inward mission to the UK, with more planned, and the annual £1.5 billion of goods and services trade between the UK and Ukraine.

How many Ukrainian Armed Forces recruits have been trained by (a) UK armed forces and (b) international partners in the UK since 2014.

This Government is proud of the role UK forces have played in training Ukrainian Armed Forces recruits.Since Putin's invasion of Crimea in 2014, the UK has trained over 70,000 Ukrainian personnel. This includes;· Op ORBITAL (2015-2022) - Over 22,000 Ukrainian personnel.· Op INTERFLEX (2022-ongoing) - Over 43,500 Ukrainian personnel.· Wider medical, specialist, air, and maritime training (2022-ongoing) - Over 5,000 Ukrainian personnel.This training has been provided in collaboration with twelve partner nations. We do not hold data for the total number of Ukrainian personnel trained by international partners since 2014.

How many recruits have been trained under Operation Interflex since its inception.

Under Op INTERFLEX the UK has, with support from 12 partner nations, provided training to over 43,500 Ukrainian personnel since June 2022.

Whether it is his Department's policy to maintain support for Operation Interflex.

Yes, the UK remains committed to supporting Operation INTERFLEX. The next tranche of trainees have arrived in the UK and are undergoing training and we aim to train up to 10,000 personnel in this tranche, subject to Ukrainian demands. We continue to work with international partners to look at where we can work together to improve our training offer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Whether he plans to have discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on retaining receipts from asset disposals.

The disposal of assets results in income for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). In line with Managing Public Money, there are limits to how much income the MOD is allowed to retain from receipts. The MOD will routinely discuss with His Majesty's Treasury if there is a need to exceed these limits.

Whether he intends to change delegated spending (a) levels and (b) controls for Front Line Commands.

The Department keeps delegations and spending plans under review. This is as part of effective financial management and to ensure the Department lives within its allocated funding, as voted by Parliament.

If he will take steps to introduce new defence regional partnerships.

The Strategic Defence Review, launched by the Prime Minister on 16 July 2024, will set out how Defence will be central to the security, economic growth and prosperity of the United Kingdom. We will also bring forward a Defence Industrial Strategy that will establish long-term partnerships between business and government, promote innovation, and improve resilience.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the Astute Class submarine programme.

The Government is totally 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. As set out in the Terms of Reference for the Strategic Defence Review, the UK is committ...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on (a) infrastructure investment required to support and (b) other aspects of the Defence Nuc

The Government remains committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence. This will be dealt with at a future fiscal event. Defence spending plans and consideration of their impact will be assessed as part of the Spending Review and the Strategic Defence Revie...

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

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. As set out in the Terms of Reference for the Strategic Defence Review, the UK is committed...

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on AUKUS.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular meetings with the Prime Minister, and other Cabinet colleagues, on a wide range of defence issues including AUKUS. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also spoken to United States President, Biden and Australian ...

What his policy is on AUKUS.

The Secretary of State for Defence reaffirmed the UK's staunch commitment to AUKUS, during a visit earlier this month to Sheffield Forgemasters with the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles. During the visit, the Secretary...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information Systems programme.

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 development of the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank.

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 upgrades to the existing fleet of Typhoon fighter jets.

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 delivery of the Shadow Mk1 fleet.

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 development of heavy uncrewed ground systems.

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 delivery schedule for (a) Type 26 and (b) Type 31 frigates.

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 procurement of further tranches of F-35 Lightning jets.

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...

What the total annual budget for administrative costs associated with conducting the Strategic Defence Review is.

The Strategic Defennce Review will be conducted in the most cost-effective way possible, within existing budgets. The ultimate outcome of the review is to identify where reprioritisation of roles, capabilities, activities, and support may be made in the current Defence programme, to allow new investment, achieve better value for money, and secure greater economic gain for the UK.