Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 December to Question 93395 on Defence, what recent progress he has made on implementing the national conversation on defence and security.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Cabinet Office and wider Government Departments, contributing towards cross-Government efforts to increase public awareness and resilience to the most serious risks we face, including conflict scenarios. This is supported by the Prime Minister’s comments at a recent Liaison Committee Oral evidence session, highlighting the Government’s commitment to bringing both industry and the wider public into the critical conversations needed to enable national readiness.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, how many Lightweight Multirole Missiles will his Department procure.

I am withholding this information for reasons of safeguarding operational security.

If he will list all MOD programmes whose progress is currently measured using Minimum Deployable Capability.

While the department does not maintain a central list of MOD programmes whose progress is currently measured using Minimum Deployable Capability, it is an established approach in use by programmes using spiral acquisition. Examples include the Mine Hunting Capability programme and the Land Mobility Programme. Minimum Deployable Capability is not a specific measurement that is the same across all capabilities. It is defined on a case-by-case basis as a capability, including elements such as training, doctrine and support, that is usefully deployable and is expected to be updated via spiral development through life.

Whether there has been a reduction in the number of usable training villages at the British Army Training Unit Kenya, since 5 July 2024.

There is one permanent training village at Nyati Barracks. In addition, two temporary wooden training villages are currently erected on the training areas at Lolldaiga Conservancy and Ole Naishu estate. These temporary facilities are assembled and dismantled as required and leave no permanent footprint. There has been no reduction in the number of usable training villages since 5 July 2024. These facilities are temporary and are only assembled during exercising periods, so their number naturally fluctuates. The overall capacity for temporary infrastructure on Kenyan training areas (approximately 200 wooden buildings) has remained unchanged since 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 118816 on HMS Dragon: Lasers, how many further phases will follow the demonstration and evaluation phase for the DragonFire.

The DragonFire programme is being delivered through a new approach to procurement aimed at accelerating delivery timescales and providing the Royal Navy with novel capability sooner. This approach focuses on delivering a minimum deployable capability that can be further developed and enhanced over time.Based on a successful demonstrator trial, DragonFire was selected for acceleration into service, leading to further trials to inform the design and development of a minimum deployable capability. We are on track to install this capability on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027. Beyond this, spiral development will allow for progressive improvement of the capability.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 118816 on HMS Dragon: Lasers, when the demonstration and evaluation phase for DragonFire will conclude.

The DragonFire programme is being delivered through a new approach to procurement aimed at accelerating delivery timescales and providing the Royal Navy with novel capability sooner. This approach focuses on delivering a minimum deployable capability that can be further developed and enhanced over time.Based on a successful demonstrator trial, DragonFire was selected for acceleration into service, leading to further trials to inform the design and development of a minimum deployable capability. We are on track to install this capability on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027. Beyond this, spiral development will allow for progressive improvement of the capability.

With reference to the response of the Permanent Secretary to Question 33 in the Defence Committee Session on MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, HC 1779 on 17 March 2026, how many people are included in his comments that the Defence Investment Plan needs to be agreed by everyone across Government.

The Defence Investment Plan will be a Government document and plan, underpinned by the normal and appropriate collective agreement.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, if he will outline the scope of the finance mechanism.

The finance mechanism will unlock finance and support joint procurement between partners of key capabilities, alongside providing loans to the defence industry and government to accelerate defence sector investment. The mechanism is still in development with partners.We expect the mechanism to complement existing EU, NATO and other initiatives and drives interoperability through combining financing and an aggregated demand signal to drive interoperability and interchangeability through joint procurement over time.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, whether the new finance mechanism will lead to the procurement of (a) new or (b) existing capabilities.

The finance mechanism will unlock finance and support joint procurement between partners of key capabilities, alongside providing loans to the defence industry and government to accelerate defence sector investment. The mechanism is still in development with partners.We expect the mechanism to complement existing EU, NATO and other initiatives and drives interoperability through combining financing and an aggregated demand signal to drive interoperability and interchangeability through joint procurement over time.

How many training villages are currently active on the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

There is one permanent training village at Nyati Barracks. In addition, two temporary wooden training villages are currently erected on the training areas at Lolldaiga Conservancy and Ole Naishu estate. These temporary facilities are assembled and dismantled as required and leave no permanent footprint. There has been no reduction in the number of usable training villages since 5 July 2024. These facilities are temporary and are only assembled during exercising periods, so their number naturally fluctuates. The overall capacity for temporary infrastructure on Kenyan training areas (approximately 200 wooden buildings) has remained unchanged since 2024.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, what is the name of the new Task Force that has been created.

Task Force Sabre, led by NAD Director General Options and Commissioning, was set up on the 18 March 2026. It has been created to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment. Task Force Sabre has mobilised and will continue to work closely with industry partners and Gulf states to ensure the rapid delivery of critical capabilities.

How many training villages are active on the Global Hub Oman.

The Global Hub has three small training villages on Ras Madrakah Training Area.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, when will the first Lightweight Multirole Missile purchased as part of this announcement be in service.

Under the terms of the announced arrangement with Thales, the UK is expected to take delivery of new Lightweight Multirole Missiles in April, after which they will enter service.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, whether the new finance mechanism will sit within her Department.

The mechanism the Chancellor announced on 17 March will increase the availability of munitions and other critical capabilities when we need them most. Similar to other international financial institutions, we expect that capital will be paid in based on countries’ GDP share, and that this will leverage many multiples more capital via private sector funding. The precise set-up is now being explored, and HMT and MOD are working together with finance and defence ministries across partner countries.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, what the cost is of creating the new finance mechanism.

The mechanism the Chancellor announced on 17 March will increase the availability of munitions and other critical capabilities when we need them most. Similar to other international financial institutions, we expect that capital will be paid in based on countries’ GDP share, and that this will leverage many multiples more capital via private sector funding. The precise set-up is now being explored, and HMT and MOD are working together with finance and defence ministries across partner countries.

Whether he plans to reduce the quantity of military equipment used at the Global Hub Oman in the next three years.

There are no plans to reduce equipment holdings at the Global Hub Oman over the next three years.

Whether he has (a) discussed and (b) decided which units could be sent to Ukraine as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition or specific assets, due to the risk to operational security.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, whether the new Task Force will be responsible for boosting munitions stockpiles.

Task Force Sabre is actively pulling in allies and industry to drive the pace on the defence kit the Middle East needs. We are bringing in British expertise to help our partners, removing barriers, and championing innovative UK-based industry. Task Force Sabre is not responsible for boosting UK munitions stockpiles, however the work that is being undertaken may give an associated benefit to the UK stockpiles. Details regarding Defence’s munitions stockpile are classified, and it would therefore be inappropriate to provide further commentary. However, Munition stockpile levels are actively reviewed to ensure current holdings are balanced against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with industry, allies, and partners to ensure that munitions stockpiles remain sufficient to meet the demands of current and future operations.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, whether the new finance mechanism will be used to stockpile munitions.

The mechanism the Chancellor announced on 17 March will increase the availability of munitions and other critical capabilities when we need them most. Similar to other international financial institutions, we expect that capital will be paid in based on countries’ GDP share, and that this will leverage many multiples more capital via private sector funding. The precise set-up is now being explored, and HMT and MOD are working together with finance and defence ministries across partner countries.

With reference to the letter written to the Defence Committee entitled Ministry of Defence paper providing information on Defence Reform, published on 21 October 2025, if he will list the quarterly reform programme milestones and if they were reached in financial year 2024-25.

During financial year 2024–25, Defence Reform made progress against its programme milestones, including the establishment of new Defence structures and strengthened arrangements at the centre of the Department. This comprised the creation of a Military Strategic Headquarters and a National Armaments Director Group, alongside enhanced roles for the Department of State and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. These milestones were supported by the introduction of collective senior leadership arrangements to drive a Defence which is more concentrated on strengthening warfighting readiness and deterrence.