Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107727 on Unmanned Air Systems: Higher Education, how many of the (a) civilians and (b) soldiers enrolled on the undergraduate drone degree does he expect to participate on the British Army's small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems training pathways.

Centralised training in small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) is delivered by the Land Warfare Centre, with distributed training subsequently provided by individual units within the Field Army. As of February 2026, 282 personnel are currently participating in the British Army’s centralised sUAS training pathways. Exact figures for those currently undertaking distributed training are not available as these figures are not held centrally. Looking ahead, we have currently made available 915 spaces for centralised training and expect around 2,000 personnel to undertake distributed training in future financial years.

How many personnel are currently participating in the British Army's small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems training pathways.

Centralised training in small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) is delivered by the Land Warfare Centre, with distributed training subsequently provided by individual units within the Field Army. As of February 2026, 282 personnel are currently participating in the British Army’s centralised sUAS training pathways. Exact figures for those currently undertaking distributed training are not available as these figures are not held centrally. Looking ahead, we have currently made available 915 spaces for centralised training and expect around 2,000 personnel to undertake distributed training in future financial years.

With reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, whether any programmes in existence prior to 26 March 2025 will be included in the 10% committed to be spent on novel technologies from the MOD equipment budget.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including directing at least 10% of our equipment procurement annually on novel technologies, which will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.That will include a mixture a significant number of existing defence programmes which are already at the cutting edge, as well as new initiatives like directed energy weapons, AI and autonomous platforms.

Whether he has held discussions regarding the number of Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates that will be manufactured as part of the £10 billion deal with Norway.

Indeed, the Secretary of State has been in Norway in the past few days. The Secretary of State engages routinely with his Norwegian counterpart as part of the evolving UK-Norway strategic defence partnership.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 91684 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, if he will provide a list of all Defence Choices.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) uses its capability planning and decision‑making processes to balance a range of factors and ensure resources are used effectively.All financial decisions are accounted for in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 91684 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, who is responsible for the definition of a Defence Choice.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) uses its capability planning and decision‑making processes to balance a range of factors and ensure resources are used effectively.All financial decisions are accounted for in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts.

How many personnel will participate in the British Army's small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems training pathways in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

Centralised training in small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) is delivered by the Land Warfare Centre, with distributed training subsequently provided by individual units within the Field Army. As of February 2026, 282 personnel are currently participating in the British Army’s centralised sUAS training pathways. Exact figures for those currently undertaking distributed training are not available as these figures are not held centrally. Looking ahead, we have currently made available 915 spaces for centralised training and expect around 2,000 personnel to undertake distributed training in future financial years.

If he will list the specified operational locations which qualify service personnel to receive the Operational Allowance.

Service personnel on deployed operations in the following Specified Operational Locations qualify for the payment of Operational Allowance: Chad (all locations)Egypt (Sinai only)Iraq (all locations)Mali (all locations)Somalia (all locations)South Sudan (all locations)Democratic Republic of Congo (Goma only)Lebanon (Naquora only)Lebanon (Beirut only) – backdated for period 6 September 2024 to 27 November 2024 onlyRed Sea (within operational areas) – backdated to 23 May 2025 I am withholding the names of some locations for the purpose of safeguarding national security, as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

With reference to the Government press release entitled Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection, published on 17 July 25, if the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) will be relocated from Porton Down.

As set out in the answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention to a Parliamentary Question in July 2025, ‘The move [of the UKHSA facility] to Harlow [from Porton Down] will only affect UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) staff and therefore anyone on the site employed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) will be unaffected’. Dstl’s core site will remain at Porton Down for the long term, and Dstl continues to make substantial investment in infrastructure and capabilities at the site. A £50 million + Chemical Weapons Defence Centre facility has recently been completed and Dstl is undertaking a range of other infrastructure works to renew and replace other facilities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament is defined as (a) the MOD budget and (b) NATO declared defence spending.

The £270 billion is the total of the Ministry of Defence's budget from financial year 2025/26 to 2028/29. This was published following the Spending Review last year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, if he will breakdown £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament in each remaining financial year of this Parliament defined as (a) the MOD budget and (b) NATO declared defence spending.

The £270 billion is the total of the Ministry of Defence's budget from financial year 2025/26 to 2028/29. This was published following the Spending Review last year.

What is the out of service date for Watchkeeper.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 October 2025 to Question 77261 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) which remains extant: As announced by the Secretary of State in 2024, the Army’s Watchkeeper Mk 1 Uncrewed Aerial System is in the process of being retired from service with an Out of Service Date of March 2027. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-09-15/77261

Whether there is a maximum range at which long-range kinetic drones can be tested.

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners. I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

Whether he plans to implement a new project to replace Project Lily.

Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal

How many procurement orders are currently awaiting approval by the (a) Treasury and (b) Cabinet Office for a value of (i) over £1 million, (ii) £500,000 to £1 million and (iii) under £500,000 since 5 July 2024.

The Department can confirm that, as of 5 July 2024, three cases are currently awaiting approval from the Treasury, and six cases above £1 million are awaiting approval from the Cabinet Office.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many Protector RG MK1s need to be in use in order to declare Initial Operating Capability.

I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the necessary supporting requirements are in place so that it can be met at the earliest opportunity. However, in general terms, the air vehicles are but one part of the air system and therefore milestones will be achieved when requirements are met across a number of areas including; personnel force growth, infrastructure and support contracts, crew training and competence in role, and interoperability.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, if he will provide the reason that the Protector RG MK1 did not declare Initial Operating Capability.

I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the necessary supporting requirements are in place so that it can be met at the earliest opportunity. However, in general terms, the air vehicles are but one part of the air system and therefore milestones will be achieved when requirements are met across a number of areas including; personnel force growth, infrastructure and support contracts, crew training and competence in role, and interoperability.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing Project Ark Royal.

Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL have been incorporated into the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy (MATX). MATX envisages a Fleet Air Arm that is ‘uncrewed where possible; crewed where necessary,’ and will help to realise the Hybrid Air Wing recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL are no longer in use. Instead, Project VANQUISH has been established to demonstrate a short take-off and landing, jet powered Autonomous Collaborative Platform capable of operating from a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier. The project will generate evidence to inform the development of uncrewed fixed wing aircraft for operation from Royal Navy aircraft carriers without requiring the installation of Assisted Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE), subject to Defence Investment Plan decisions.

If he will publish a list of all (a) UK and (b) overseas sites currently used for long-range kinetic drone testing.

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners. I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many Protector RG MK1s are currently in use.

Sixteen Protector RG Mk1 air vehicles have been purchased by the UK, eight of which have been delivered into service, with others remaining in test and evaluation with the manufacturer.