Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to the Written Statement of 27 November 2025 on MOD Security Review, HCWS1103, if he will set out the time for personnel to complete training for a Remote Piloted Aerial System.

Before April 2025 this information was not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate costs. I can, however, confirm that for this financial year we have approved £4.6 million on equipment, service and maintenance, and training on Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) for the purpose of enhancing our base security as set out in the 27 November 2025 statement on MOD Security Review. Initial training will commence in January 2026 with the first tranche of pilots completing their training by March 2026. The pilots will range in rank from non-commissioned officers to senior non-commissioned officers, and civilian equivalents. Those who will be trained to manage the safety risk of the systems will be officers and civilian equivalents. We take security extremely seriously. This investment demonstrates our commitment to enhance our ability to deter and respond to threats.

If he will list the Royal Navy vessels that have completed the Power Improvement Project upgrade.

As of December 2025, three Type 45 Destroyers have completed their Power Improvement Project (PIP) upgrades: HMS DAUNTLESS, HMS DARING, and HMS DRAGON, HMS DEFENDER and HMS DIAMOND are currently undergoing PIP upgrades. HMS DUNCAN is operational, pending the start of her PIP upgrade, which will run concurrently with her next docking period at HMNB Portsmouth. We are unable to release further detailed information about the forward integrated PIP schedule and upkeep plans for the Type 45 Destroyers, as to do so could risk revealing future capability levels to our adversaries. Completing the Type 45 PIP work is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy’s (RN) current and future operational commitments. Class availability is now maximised to ensure that the RN has been able to fulfil all its operational commitments and PIP remains on target to have all six ships receive their conversions by 2028.

With reference to the Written Statement of 27 November 2025 on MOD Security Review, HCWS1103, when did his Department formally adopt the Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base.

Staff dedicated to the development of the Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base (CNI KB) are not based in the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The MOD, working in close partnership with the Cabinet Office, remains committed to strengthening the UK's resilience through the advancement of CNI KB. Funding for the next phase is scheduled for 2026/27, and we are working with partners to explore opportunities to accelerate delivery, including appropriate classification levels. This initiative is a key enabler for the Strategic Defence Review and the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, ensuring Defence can support national resilience objectives effectively and efficiently.

When was the last trial for the Brimstone missile.

In support of the ongoing Brimstone 3 Demonstration programme a successful trial campaign was conducted in August 2025.

Whether there has been any delay to the delivery of Project Brakestop.

The Project BRAKESTOP schedule has been highly ambitious from the outset. Flight trials are broadly on track.

When was the last trial for the CAMM.

The Armed Forces assure the performance of the Land Ceptor and Sea Ceptor systems, of which CAMM is the effector, through a variety of methods, including in-service live firings. The most recent in-service firing for Land Ceptor was in May 2025 and the most recent Sea Ceptor in-service firing was in 2021.

With reference to the Written Statement of 27 November 2025 on MOD Security Review, HCWS1103, how many people are working on the Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base; and how many additional people have been employed for this purpose.

Staff dedicated to the development of the Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base (CNI KB) are not based in the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The MOD, working in close partnership with the Cabinet Office, remains committed to strengthening the UK's resilience through the advancement of CNI KB. Funding for the next phase is scheduled for 2026/27, and we are working with partners to explore opportunities to accelerate delivery, including appropriate classification levels. This initiative is a key enabler for the Strategic Defence Review and the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, ensuring Defence can support national resilience objectives effectively and efficiently.

What is the in service date for the One-Way Effector delivered under Project Brakestop.

There is no defined in-service date for Project BRAKESTOP. The Department is currently planning to place production contracts in 2026, following upcoming flight trials.

What recent progress he has made on delivering Project Brakestop.

Multiple contracts have been placed to develop prototype one-way effectors to meet Project BRAKESTOP's requirements, for which the builds are highly advanced. Flight trials are due to start soon.

With reference to the Written Statement of 27 November 2025 on MOD Security Review, HCWS1103, when he plans to assess the results of the Restricted Airspace pilot.

Under the National Security Act 2023, all Defence sites are now designated 'Prohibited Places', protecting the majority of the Defence Estate. By establishing Restricted Airspace above key sites to further support this legislation, it will allow for the swift identification and response to unlawful drone activity above our sites. It will provide Defence and law enforcement agencies with a robust legal framework to take the appropriate action.The Restricted Airspace pilot programme begins this spring with 40 sites, supported by electronic countermeasures and police-led responses to any incursions. The pilot will be assessed after being in operation for three months and the findings will inform the wider implementation of Restricted Airspace across Defence later in 2026.

If he will provide a list of each company currently operating under Project Brakestop.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that providing a list of each company currently operating under Project BRAKESTOP would prejudice national security and commercial interests.

When was the last trial for the Sea Viper missile.

The Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon successfully launched a Sea Viper missile during Exercise Formidable Shield in May 2025. Exercise Formidable Shield is hosted by the UK on the Hebrides Range in Scotland and is the largest live-firing Integrated Air and Missile Defence exercise in Europe.

How many One-Way Effectors will be delivered under Project Brakestop.

No final decisions have been made on numbers of systems to be bought in BRAKESTOP as we are in the flight trial phase of the programme. The performance of the systems being trialed, the capacity of the companies involved as well as the final costs of the systems will all inform the numbers to be bought.

How many (a) UK-based SMEs and (b) mid-tier suppliers have been offered support through the Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme since 5 July 2024.

Since 5 July 2024, 22 UK-based SMEs have been offered support through the Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme (DSCDP). 19 in total then successfully joined. To date, no mid-tier suppliers have been offered support.

Whether the National Insurance contribution holiday for the employers of veterans will be in place for each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

The Budget Report confirmed that the Employer National Insurance contributions relief for veterans will be extended to April 2028.

Media and Sport, if she will set out what steps were taken in the Autumn Budget 2025 in respect of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

No decision on the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was made during Autumn Budget 2025. Funding after March 2026 will be considered as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport works through the output of the Spending Review and Departmental business planning process.

Whether he has held discussions with service chiefs regarding the spending envelope for the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan has been informed by a range of inputs and perspectives including those of the Chiefs.

With reference to the Written Statement by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 27 November on MOD Security Review, HCWS 1103, how many contracts have been placed for Remote Piloted Aerial Systems since 5 July 2024.

The Department has placed nineteen contracts relating to Remote Piloted Aerial Systems since 5 July 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 June to Question 57673 on Military Intelligence, if he has a target date for the full implementation of the Digital Targeting Web.

The Department aims to deliver the first elements of the Digital Targeting Web, or a 'Minimum Viable Product', in 2026. What these first deliverables will consist of is still being defined. Plans will be continually reviewed to respond to emerging threats and adjusted as necessary. No target date has been established for the full implementation of the Digital Targeting Web.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March to Question 34903 on Defence: Procurement, who will lead the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub.

I am pleased to confirm that Senior Civil Servant, Tim Ketton-Locke has been appointed to lead the office and took up post on 3 November 2025.