Written questions by Cartlidge.

When the competition for the Land Autonomous Collaborative Platforms for the AH-64E Apache will (a) open and (b) close.

Project NYX is a demonstrator to validate the concept of a Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform. Public information is available via the Defence Sourcing Portal, the Ministry of Defence’s tendering platform, and Find a Tender service. The competition for Project NYX began on 28 November 2025 with the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire release. The Invitation to Tender will be issued week of 12 January 2026 and close 27 February 2026. Completion will inform future procurement, with initial capability delivery expected from 2030. No decision has been made on platform numbers; these will depend on evolving strategies and requirements.

With reference to the Minister of State's oral Answer to the Urgent Question on 8 November 2025 from the Hon. Member for South Suffolk, if he will list the other pieces of equipment in relation to which use has been paused since 5 July 2024.

In response to the urgent question, I was referring to the Department’s decision to pause use of the Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA) in January 2025 in response to safety concerns. In this case, I ordered immediate action to replace ECBA on the frontline by flying new body armour to units worldwide.

How many Land Autonomous Collaborative Platforms for the AH-64E Apache he plans to procure in the current Parliament.

Project NYX is a demonstrator to validate the concept of a Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform. Public information is available via the Defence Sourcing Portal, the Ministry of Defence’s tendering platform, and Find a Tender service. The competition for Project NYX began on 28 November 2025 with the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire release. The Invitation to Tender will be issued week of 12 January 2026 and close 27 February 2026. Completion will inform future procurement, with initial capability delivery expected from 2030. No decision has been made on platform numbers; these will depend on evolving strategies and requirements.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on naval capability in the Persian Gulf of decommissioning HMS Lancaster.

The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining a presence in the Middle East, reassuring partners and contributing to regional security and stability. Central to this posture is the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC), located in Bahrain, with a footprint of c125 personnel, which commands and controls Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. This also includes the MOD’s role in the Combined Maritime Forces framework and the delivery of training to regional partners. The Royal Navy is evolving its approach to operations in the Middle East, focusing on modernising capabilities, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring basing and access for times of crisis. The RN’s modernisation programme has already delivered an autonomous mine countermeasures capability operating in the Gulf, which continues to innovate at pace. In terms of personnel footprint, the RN maintains a strong regional presence, including roles within US Fifth Fleet Task Forces in Bahrain, Loan Service personnel in Oman, RN embeds in the British Military Mission in Kuwait, and RN personnel advising on seabed warfare through the Ministry of Defence Saudi Armed Forces Programme (MODSAP) programme in Saudi Arabia. The RN remains agile and ready to respond to emerging threats, deploying platforms to meet Defence Plan commitments and operational requirements, which are continuously reviewed.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security, published on 9 June 2025, if he will list all contracts placed by his Department with ECS Special Projects since 5 July 2024.

The Department has not awarded any contracts to Sonardyne or ECS Special Projects since 5 July 2024. The Department currently has no live contracts with Sonardyne. However, the MOD has previously completed contracts with the company, such as those related to Diver Tracking and Detection. Sonardyne specialises in maritime security and holds specific contracts in this field, including a £67,691 agreement (active until 2024) for the procurement of a Diver Tracking System. Its Sentinel diver detection sonar is widely recognised and utilised for safeguarding naval bases and ships. As part of their future strategy and increasing use of technology the Department is considering: (i) Expanding port and submarine base protection(ii) Leveraging AI-enabled anomaly detection on sonar feeds(iii) Improving protection against hostile divers, swimmers, and underwater saboteurs(iv) Integration into the wider Maritime Protection System for UK critical infrastructure

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security, published on 9 June 2025, if he will list all contracts placed by his Department with Sonardyne since 5 July 2024.

The Department has not awarded any contracts to Sonardyne or ECS Special Projects since 5 July 2024. The Department currently has no live contracts with Sonardyne. However, the MOD has previously completed contracts with the company, such as those related to Diver Tracking and Detection. Sonardyne specialises in maritime security and holds specific contracts in this field, including a £67,691 agreement (active until 2024) for the procurement of a Diver Tracking System. Its Sentinel diver detection sonar is widely recognised and utilised for safeguarding naval bases and ships. As part of their future strategy and increasing use of technology the Department is considering: (i) Expanding port and submarine base protection(ii) Leveraging AI-enabled anomaly detection on sonar feeds(iii) Improving protection against hostile divers, swimmers, and underwater saboteurs(iv) Integration into the wider Maritime Protection System for UK critical infrastructure

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 to Question 95703 on Defence: Contracts, what the contracts valued above £500 million for (a) Serco, (b) Rolls-Royce, (c) Rolls-Royce Submarines, (d) Sierra Nevada Company and (e) Foreland Shipping are for.

The Department confirms that details of contracts exceeding £500 million for the listed suppliers are provided below. The Department is withholding some of this information for the purpose of safeguarding national security. Serco - Support to In-port Marine Services & Vessel Replacement Programme. Delivery of Marine services to the Dockyard Ports, including core services such as towage - including nuclear safety - movements, pilot transfer & passenger transportation, fuels, liquids and stores transfer. ii. The second contract with Serco is for Armed Forces Recruiting Service - Transition period. Rolls Royce - Typhoon Engine Support Solution (TESS) The contract is for Repair services & maintenance of the EJ200 Typhoon engines. Rolls Royce Submarines Limited - Nuclear Propulsion (NP) Unity. To support Royal Navy submarine fleet and bolster national security. Please note this information is in the public domain following this link: Landmark £9 billion contract for British business to boost jobs, growth and nuclear deterrent - GOV.UK Foreland Shipping - Provision of Interim Strategic Sealift. Strategic Sealift provides UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) with a capability to deploy cargo overseas from the UK in support of the UK's standing commitments and contingent operations.

When will the Warfighting Ready Plan 2029 reach full operating capability.

The Warfighting Ready Plan 2029 has been published internally within His Majesty's Government and is informing engagement across Defence and Government, with international allies, and partners in industry and academia.The Warfighting Ready Plan 2029 sets a clear intent to enhance the Royal Navy's readiness with what we have today whilst prioritising what we need for the future. Rather than having full operating capability being defined as a single milestone, the Plan is iterative. It is designed to deliver significant transformation over the next four years whilst responding to emerging threats, novel capability and confirmed resource allocation as directed through the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to the Minister of State's answer to Urgent Question on 8 November 2025 from the Hon. Member for South Suffolk, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Ajax programme safety investigations on the delivery of the Defence Investment Plan.

It would be inappropriate to comment on the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan and its content at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 December 2025 to Question 95697 on UK Defence and Security Exports, where UK Defence Exports is based.

Pursuant to the answer given to Question 95697, UK Defence Exports is based in the Ministry of Defence and headquartered in London.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2025 to Question 95413 on Military Exercises, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of plans to reduce Royal Navy training over the next four years on the delivery of the AUKUS partnership.

The Ministry of Defence is fully committed to delivering the AUKUS partnership alongside Australia and the United States. This trilateral agreement will provide Australia with conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and advance cooperation on cutting-edge defence technologies.The Royal Navy constantly reviews and maintains the right level of high readiness forces to fulfil all of its commitments, including its contribution to AUKUS delivery.

Whether he plans to publish the Warfighting Ready Plan 2029.

The Warfighting Ready Plan 2029 has been published internally within His Majesty's Government and is informing engagement across Defence and Government, with international allies, and partners in industry and academia.The Warfighting Ready Plan 2029 sets a clear intent to enhance the Royal Navy's readiness with what we have today whilst prioritising what we need for the future. Rather than having full operating capability being defined as a single milestone, the Plan is iterative. It is designed to deliver significant transformation over the next four years whilst responding to emerging threats, novel capability and confirmed resource allocation as directed through the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to the speech given by the First Sea Lord entitled First Sea Lord's speech to the International Sea Power Conference, published on 8 December 2025, if he will list the unnecessary processes that have been stripped back in the last 100 days in the Royal Navy.

As the First Sea Lord made clear during his speech at the International Sea Power Conference the Royal Navy must strip back bureaucracies to keep pace of threats and technological changes. Great progress has been made over the last 100 days, in particular through greater digitalisation. A very clear example of this is a new Navy Booking Application which allow naval personnel to more easily book important serials such as fitness tests, gas mask testing and welfare briefs. The application is currently seeing a 30 per cent month-on-month growth in users and will be developed further so it can scale successfully as it uses grow across the Royal Navy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2025 to Question 95423 on Cruise Missiles, what is the in-service date for the SPEAR cruise missile.

The SPEAR Capability 3 programme is currently undergoing a review. A Review Note is planned to be submitted in Quarter 1 2026 to revise its approval, which will determine the delivery of Initial Operating Capability.

When he plans to respond to Question 94226 on Ministry of Defence: Stark from the hon. Member for Rochdale.

The Department has not awarded any contracts to STARK to date.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK unveils new undersea warfare technology to counter threat from Russia, published on 8 December 2025, if he will provide a breakdown of the firms that have submitted proposals to develop anti-submarine sensor technology by country of origin.

The Royal Navy will be deploying new undersea warfare technology as part of Atlantic Net, a new initiative that will see the Royal Navy rapidly field and iterate undersea warfare technology in collaboration with a commercial mission partner or partners. The competition for the first Atlantic Net commercial competition closed on 26 Nov 2025. I know the Hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Defence Minister that public disclosure on the companies that have submitted proposals, or a breakdown of firms and capabilities involved would prejudice fair competition.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK unveils new undersea warfare technology to counter threat from Russia, published on 8 December 2025, when Atlantic Bastion will reach full operating capability.

Atlantic Bastion is a portfolio of capabilities to enhance the UK’s ability to detect and act against undersea threats. Individual capabilities will have full operating capability dates as opposed to an overall date for Bastion. The Royal Navy intends to move as quickly as it can, within the bounds of UK commercial law, to bring new capabilities into service and enhance our ability to protect the UK and our allies.

If any of HMS Lancaster's (a) weaponry, (b) munitions, (c) equipment and (d) other supplies will be repurposed.

HMS Lancaster has exceeded the 18 years lifespan she was originally built for and, with almost 35 years of outstanding service, she has reached her planned out of service date. She has been forward deployed to the Middle East for the last three years where her output has been exceptional.Rather than seek to extend her safety certification further, the Royal Navy is commencing preparations for her final disposal while she is in Bahrain. This decision has maximised operational output whilst ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of the Ships Company is paramount. As is standard practice for decommissioning ships, any material or supplies on HMS Lancaster that can be used elsewhere in the fleet will be repurposed.

What his planned timetable is to procure a Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform for the AH-64E Apache.

Project NYX is a demonstrator to validate the concept of a Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform. Public information is available via the Defence Sourcing Portal, the Ministry of Defence’s tendering platform, and Find a Tender service. The competition for Project NYX began on 28 November 2025 with the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire release. The Invitation to Tender will be issued week of 12 January 2026 and close 27 February 2026. Completion will inform future procurement, with initial capability delivery expected from 2030. No decision has been made on platform numbers; these will depend on evolving strategies and requirements.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK unveils new undersea warfare technology to counter threat from Russia, published on 8 December 2025, how much will be invested in Atlantic Bastion in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

Atlantic Bastion has only been allocated pre-concept funding to date, estimated at c£10 million. The Defence Investment Plan, when published, will set the funding envelope for the programme.