Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and Germany sign £52m contract for cutting-edge artillery, published on 28 December, when he expects RCH 155 to conclude its assessment phase.

The joint Assessment Phase, in collaboration with Germany, is expected to conclude in Quarter four of 2029. Similarly to Germany, the Department's aim is to commit to production on the common build standard as soon as possible, subject to receiving a costed proposal. The assessment and demonstration activities will be conducted concurrently, to accelerate delivery and achieve a Minimum Deployable Capability within this decade.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, if he will outline how he will help strengthen the defence-industrial potential of Ukraine.

The UK contributes significantly to Ukraine's defence industrial resilience through Task Force HIRST and Programme LYRA. A key strength of the UK's approach lies in our ability to consistently support Ukraine by bringing together our industrial base and technologists to partner with Ukrainian companies, establishing new joint ventures.The deployment of a Multinational Force to Ukraine will further reinforce our support and provide the right environment to exploit and rapidly scale the significant work the UK has already done.We will continue to use UK and international funding and the interest on immobilised Russian assets to support Ukrainian and UK industrial collaboration and continue to work with our Ukrainian partners to reduce frictions and increase materiel production.This will build on the UK's successes under HIRST: trade missions, megaprojects, equipment support; and leverage the evolution of our support under the 100 Year Partnership, through the sharing of battlefield technology and joint capability development under Programme LYRA.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, what will the name of the new negotiating group as part of the declaration be.

The Multinational Force for Ukraine will deploy at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine, with the Declaration of Intent forming part of the framework to establish the status of international forces deployed as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine. Alongside the French, we continue to work closely with Ukraine to finalise the overarching governance and legal framework for the deployment of the force. As stated by the Prime Minister, the details of a deployment as relating to the Declaration of Intent will be set out in a statement at the earliest opportunity.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, when he expects Ukraine to complete the legal and institutional framework for the presence of the Multinational Force Ukraine on the territory of Ukraine.

The Multinational Force for Ukraine will deploy at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine, with the Declaration of Intent forming part of the framework to establish the status of international forces deployed as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine. Alongside the French, we continue to work closely with Ukraine to finalise the overarching governance and legal framework for the deployment of the force. As stated by the Prime Minister, the details of a deployment as relating to the Declaration of Intent will be set out in a statement at the earliest opportunity.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, when his Department will publish the number of UK service personnel deployed as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine.Whilst planning continues, we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations. As stated by the Prime Minister, the details of a deployment as relating to the Declaration of Intent will be set out in a statement at the earliest opportunity.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether he plans to increase the number of soldiers trained under Operation Interflex to support the development of security and defence forces of Ukraine.

The UK has a strong record of delivering tailored training to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and remains committed to adapting its support to meet Ukraine’s evolving needs. Operation INTERFLEX, the UK-led training programme, has already trained over 62,000 Ukrainian personnel and will continue until at least the end of 2026.  Since the inception of Operation INTERFLEX, the programme has continually adapted to reflect the changing requirements of the AFU and the operational environment. This includes regular review of the budget, as funding allocations are adjusted to ensure maximum impact in areas of greatest need. Any future adjustments, including potential increases in numbers trained, will be designed to complement these requirements and further strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Following the cessation of hostilities, the Multinational Force Ukraine is expected to play a key role in regenerating Ukraine’s land forces, providing logistic, armament and training expertise to support their reconstitution. Any future UK training programmes will be designed to complement these efforts and further strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, if he will outline the process by which he will develop the rules of engagement for UK service personnel forming part of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

For reasons of safeguarding national security, I am not able to outline the process for developing rules of engagement, as to do so would be prejudicial to our operations.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether his Department has sought legal advice regarding the creation of a legal and institutional framework for the presence of the Multinational Force Ukraine on the territory of Ukraine.

The Multinational Force for Ukraine will deploy at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine, with the Declaration of Intent forming part of the framework to establish the status of international forces deployed as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine. Alongside the French, we continue to work closely with Ukraine to finalise the overarching governance and legal framework for the deployment of the force. As stated by the Prime Minister, the details of a deployment as relating to the Declaration of Intent will be set out in a statement at the earliest opportunity.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 January to Question 103813 on Veterans: Northern Ireland, how many of the five protections will apply universally.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill introduces five protections that have been specifically designed for veterans. They will apply to all those required to give evidence to the Legacy Commission.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 January to Question 103813 on Veterans: Northern Ireland, if he will specify which of the five protections will apply universally.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill introduces five protections that have been specifically designed for veterans. They will apply to all those required to give evidence to the Legacy Commission.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 January to Question 103813 on Veterans: Northern Ireland, whether any of the universal protections will apply to alleged paramilitaries.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill introduces five protections that have been specifically designed for veterans. They will apply to all those required to give evidence to the Legacy Commission.

What is the total estimated cost of the Chinook Extended Range programme.

The total estimated cost of the Chinook Extended Range programme remains within the budgetary limit of £1.85 billion that was approved in June 2024.

Whether the total estimated cost of the Chinook Extended Range programme has changed since 5 July 2024.

The total estimated cost of the Chinook Extended Range programme remains within the budgetary limit of £1.85 billion that was approved in June 2024.

When he plans to respond to Question 98517 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

When he plans to respond to Question 98518 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether the deployment of service personnel as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine would include any members of the reserve forces.

Consistent with established Defence protocols, Reserve Forces will be considered for inclusion as operational requirements dictate. This approach ensures the necessary flexibility and resilience to fulfil our commitments effectively.

When the next meeting of the JEF nations will take place.

JEF nations meet regularly in various formats. JEF Chiefs of Defence are meeting on 15 January 2025, and the next JEF Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for late March.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether he plans to increase military procurement for the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy as a result of the agreement to deploy UK service personnel as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Ukraine and leading the Coalition of the Willing. As part of our preparations, we have allocated £200 million to prepare the UK Armed Forces to deploy as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNFU) in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This £200 million will specifically fund preparations for any deployment of the MNFU to upgrade vehicles, communications systems, new counter-drone protection and additional force-protection equipment.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether he plans to accelerate defence spending to (a) 3% and (b) 3.5% of GDP as a result of the formal agreement to deploy UK service personnel as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

The Government has committed to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next Parliament, subject to fiscal and economic conditions, and will be considered at the next Spending Review in 2027. The commitment to spend 3.5% by 2035 will be reviewed by NATO Allies in 2029.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether any security guarantees for the deployment of the Multinational Force Ukraine have been agreed with the US.

As reiterated by the Prime Minister, we have seen excellent progress in US-led negotiations in recent weeks. At the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris on 6 January, Leaders committed to work together to provide robust security guarantees and economic recovery support measures for Ukraine as part of any peace agreement. We are working closely with our US allies on the nature of these guarantees, and discussions remain ongoing.