Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, whether he has a target number for the number of UK companies that will be involved in the (a) Low-Cost Effectors & Platforms initiative and (b) new surface-to-air missile.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare and company involvement will be dependent on the chosen solutions.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, how many UK companies will be involved in the Low-Cost Effectors & Platforms initiative.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare and company involvement will be dependent on the chosen solutions.

What estimate has he made of the total cost of issuing operational tour bonuses in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

Operational Allowance (OA) is a location‑driven allowance that recognises increased and enduring danger in Specified Operational Locations (SOLs). The number of Service Personnel in receipt of OA reflects the number of Service Personnel deployed to SOLs. SOL status is kept under regular review and is considered by the Permanent Joint Headquarters’ (PJHQ) Operational Records Board on a six‑monthly basis. As operational activity varies according to Defence commitments, entitlement to OA fluctuates accordingly. It is not possible to forecast how many individuals will receive OA in future financial years, nor the cost. Forecasting would require assumptions about the scale, location, and duration of future operational activity.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, how much additional money will be allocated to Proteus.

Given the hon. Gentleman’s former role as the Minister for Defence Procurement he will be aware of the details of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract. We have improved upon that deal, renewing and strengthening MOD’s relationship with a key industry partner. Aside from the contract to supply 23 AW149 aircraft, Leonardo have agreed that future military international orders will be built in the UK, with an increased workshare for the UK above 40%. Moreover, Leonardo have also agreed to make the United Kingdom the home of exports for the AW149, with the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade. In addition, Leonardo have agreed to make Yeovil their global centre of excellence for autonomous helicopters, building on the ongoing successful development of Project Proteus. The £1 billion deal with Leonardo for NMH does not include funding committed to Proteus. Proteus is a £60 million programme, with information on the additional funding to be published in due course.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, whether the £1 billion contract includes the £60 million committed to the Proteus programme.

Given the hon. Gentleman’s former role as the Minister for Defence Procurement he will be aware of the details of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract. We have improved upon that deal, renewing and strengthening MOD’s relationship with a key industry partner. Aside from the contract to supply 23 AW149 aircraft, Leonardo have agreed that future military international orders will be built in the UK, with an increased workshare for the UK above 40%. Moreover, Leonardo have also agreed to make the United Kingdom the home of exports for the AW149, with the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade. In addition, Leonardo have agreed to make Yeovil their global centre of excellence for autonomous helicopters, building on the ongoing successful development of Project Proteus. The £1 billion deal with Leonardo for NMH does not include funding committed to Proteus. Proteus is a £60 million programme, with information on the additional funding to be published in due course.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Enemy weapons detector in the hands of soldiers five years early, published on 14 February 2026, how many SONUS systems have been procured as of 24 February 2026.

The SONUS system is an Acoustic Weapon Locating capability part of a wider programme which is delivering the next generation of Weapon Locating Sensors to enhance the capabilities of the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery. In January 2026, Leonardo UK was awarded a contract to deliver eight SONUS Acoustic Weapon Locating Sensors to the British Army. This state-of-the-art technology will play a critical role in enhancing the Army’s ability to detect and locate weapon systems with precision and efficiency. As part of the delivery schedule, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery will receive two sensors by the end of FY 2025-26, enabling the achievement of Minimum Deployable Capability. The remaining six systems will be delivered in FY 2026-27, achieving the Full Deployable Capability before year end.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Enemy weapons detector in the hands of soldiers five years early, published on 14 February 2026, how many SONUS systems will be delivered to the British army in the (a) current and (b) next financial year.

The SONUS system is an Acoustic Weapon Locating capability part of a wider programme which is delivering the next generation of Weapon Locating Sensors to enhance the capabilities of the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery. In January 2026, Leonardo UK was awarded a contract to deliver eight SONUS Acoustic Weapon Locating Sensors to the British Army. This state-of-the-art technology will play a critical role in enhancing the Army’s ability to detect and locate weapon systems with precision and efficiency. As part of the delivery schedule, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery will receive two sensors by the end of FY 2025-26, enabling the achievement of Minimum Deployable Capability. The remaining six systems will be delivered in FY 2026-27, achieving the Full Deployable Capability before year end.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, when the first new medium-lift helicopter will be in service.

The £1 billion New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract secures thousands of skilled British jobs, boosts the UK Armed Forces’ capability and makes Britain Leonardo’s global centre for military helicopter production and exports – worth a potential £15 billion over the next decade. The NMH Entry Into Service is expected in January 2031, with the first aircraft delivered in the summer of 2030. The final aircraft is expected to be delivered in the autumn of 2033, which is also when the equipment acquisition contract is expected to end. The financial profile for NMH has not changed since the release of the Invitation To Negotiate in February 2024. Approximately one third of the contract value is expected to be accounted for over the next three Financial Years.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, what is his target date for the delivery of all 23 new medium-lift helicopters.

The £1 billion New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract secures thousands of skilled British jobs, boosts the UK Armed Forces’ capability and makes Britain Leonardo’s global centre for military helicopter production and exports – worth a potential £15 billion over the next decade. The NMH Entry Into Service is expected in January 2031, with the first aircraft delivered in the summer of 2030. The final aircraft is expected to be delivered in the autumn of 2033, which is also when the equipment acquisition contract is expected to end. The financial profile for NMH has not changed since the release of the Invitation To Negotiate in February 2024. Approximately one third of the contract value is expected to be accounted for over the next three Financial Years.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, how much of the £1 billion announced will be spent in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

The £1 billion New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract secures thousands of skilled British jobs, boosts the UK Armed Forces’ capability and makes Britain Leonardo’s global centre for military helicopter production and exports – worth a potential £15 billion over the next decade. The NMH Entry Into Service is expected in January 2031, with the first aircraft delivered in the summer of 2030. The final aircraft is expected to be delivered in the autumn of 2033, which is also when the equipment acquisition contract is expected to end. The financial profile for NMH has not changed since the release of the Invitation To Negotiate in February 2024. Approximately one third of the contract value is expected to be accounted for over the next three Financial Years.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, in which year will the £1 billion contract conclude.

The £1 billion New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract secures thousands of skilled British jobs, boosts the UK Armed Forces’ capability and makes Britain Leonardo’s global centre for military helicopter production and exports – worth a potential £15 billion over the next decade. The NMH Entry Into Service is expected in January 2031, with the first aircraft delivered in the summer of 2030. The final aircraft is expected to be delivered in the autumn of 2033, which is also when the equipment acquisition contract is expected to end. The financial profile for NMH has not changed since the release of the Invitation To Negotiate in February 2024. Approximately one third of the contract value is expected to be accounted for over the next three Financial Years.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, what is the name of the first project to be delivered by 2027.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. No project name has yet been allocated and the name of the weapon system will depend on which proposal is taken forward into production.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, what is the name of the first project to be delivered by 2027.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. No project name has yet been allocated and the name of the weapon system will depend on which proposal is taken forward into production.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, what will the new surface-to-air weapon be called.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. No project name has yet been allocated and the name of the weapon system will depend on which proposal is taken forward into production.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, whether the new surface-to-air missile will be assessed using Minimum Deployable Capability.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. The new weapon system will be introduced through the spiral acquisition model, delivering a Minimum Deployable Capability followed by iterative enhancements.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, if he will list all possible capabilities developed under the Low-Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms initiative.

The LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is likely to consist of a range of projects in the future, the first of these is a low-cost air defence effector. No other projects under the LEAP initiative have currently been agreed.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, what percentage of the workshare for the new surface-to-air weapon will take place in the United Kingdom.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare will be dependent on the chosen solution.

What has been the total cost of issuing operational tour bonuses in each of the ten previous financial years.

The total cost of Operational Allowance paid to Service Personnel in each Financial Year since 2015-16, and the numbers in receipt, are set out below: Financial YearNumbers in receipt of Op Allowance Total Op Allowance2015-164,290£10,709,745.542016-175,748£14,668,691.792017-186,972£21,038,734.632018-197,653£24,554,593.592019-207,886£26,621,504.812020-216,140£18,587,048.822021-226,399£16,596,044.662022-235,164£13,673,498.622023-244,916£13,663,602.682024-255,330£13,091,473.382025-26 to date6,625£12,896,081.72Total44,439£186,101,020.24

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, whether his Department will procure the new surface-to-air missile.

The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. Once that initial phase of work has been completed, a decision will be taken on whether to progress to procurement.

What discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the use of the (a) Diego Garcia and (b) RAF Fairford military bases since 28 February 2026.

The US is the UK’s principal defence and security partner. The Secretary of State and his officials are in regular contact with US counterparts on a range of topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our two nations. As announced by the Prime Minister on 1 March, the Government agreed to a US request to use British bases for specific and limited defensive purposes.