Written questions by Cartlidge.

What the cost is of contracting consultants to deliver Defence Reform.

The contract awarded for Defence Reform has a value of £15.8 million (excluding VAT). Further details are available on the GOV.UK Contract Finder.

How many consultants have been contracted as part of Defence Reform.

The Department has one prime supplier contracted to deliver Defence Reform. This supplier operates as a consortium, within which 42 consultants are currently deployed.

Innovation and Technology, how much funding has been allocated from the National Security Strategic Investment Fund to the defence sector in each financial year between 2025-26 and 2029-30.

NSSIF does not currently demark a portion of its allocation for solely defence investments, as investments are made in startups with technologies relevant across NS&D use cases. NSSIF invests in dual-use advanced technology companies to provide future capabilities to National Security and Defence (NS&D). Investments are made for the purpose of NS&D, though provide wider benefits to industrial strategy sectors. As part of the recent Spending Review process, NSSIF has been awarded up to £330m to invest in the financial years 2026-27 to 2029-30, as set out in the modern industrial strategy.

Innovation and Technology, how much funding has been made available through the British Business Bank's National Security Strategic Investment Fund in each industrial sector in the (a) current financial year and (b) each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.

NSSIF does not currently demark a portion of its allocation for solely defence investments, as investments are made in startups with technologies relevant across NS&D use cases. NSSIF invests in dual-use advanced technology companies to provide future capabilities to National Security and Defence (NS&D). Investments are made for the purpose of NS&D, though provide wider benefits to industrial strategy sectors. As part of the recent Spending Review process, NSSIF has been awarded up to £330m to invest in the financial years 2026-27 to 2029-30, as set out in the modern industrial strategy.

How many Type 45 Destroyers will DragonFire be installed on in 2027.

Initially, DragonFire, a state-of-the-art laser weapon, will enhance the capabilities of the Type 45 fleet with the first DragonFire unit being delivered in 2027.

What the budget is for the British Army's RAPSTONE Task Force.

Task Force RAPSTONE has a budget of £150 million over three years. The upcoming Defence Investment Plan will provide more information around the UK’s defence procurement investment plans.

What his planned timetable is for the implementation of the Home Defence Programme.

The Cabinet Office leads the Home Defence Programme, with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as a key contributor. Implementation is guided by the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review, the National Security Strategy, and the Resilience Action Plan, each setting distinct timelines for projects within the programme.Defence of the homeland is an ongoing responsibility for the MOD, ensuring the safety and resilience of the United Kingdom in accordance with the threat. Accordingly, the MOD will maintain up-to-date plans in coordination with NATO and wider Government.

Whether he has a target date for the completion of Defence Reform.

The Ministry of Defence does not have a single target date for the completion of Defence Reform. Implementation planning will begin in January 2026, and implementation will commence progressively as elements of the unified Defence Operating Model mature. Full implementation will continue throughout 2026 and beyond

With reference to page 19 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, when he plans to begin the national conversation on defence and security.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year engagement designed to embed a whole-of-society approach, where Government, businesses, and the public all play a part in strengthening our resilience. This addresses the risks we face, including threats below and above the threshold of an armed attack.The Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme has begun this work by starting to familiarise the public with their role in national security and resilience. Central to this is the 'Prepare' website (https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk), which sets out immediate actions the public can take to prepare for emergencies.The Ministry of Defence is actively supporting this work and is committed to learning from international best practice, both bilaterally and through existing forums such as NATO's Resilience Committee.

With reference to page 19 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, whether he has had discussions with the Prime Minister on the national conversation on defence and security since 2 June 2025.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with the Prime Minister on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience.As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year engagement designed to embed a whole-of-society approach, where Government, businesses, and the public all play a part in strengthening our resilience. This addresses the risks we face, including threats below and above the threshold of an armed attack.The Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme has begun this work by starting to familiarise the public with their role in national security and resilience. Central to this is the 'Prepare' website (https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk), which sets out immediate actions the public can take to prepare for emergencies.The Ministry of Defence is actively supporting this work.

With reference to the urgent question response made by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 20 November 2025, what percentage of the 100,000 drones produced this year were made by British companies.

Where the UK's drone industry can meet Ukraine's requirements, the Ministry of Defence sources equipment from UK suppliers. A significant proportion of the drones procured for Ukraine this year have been produced by British companies, supporting hundreds of highly skilled jobs across the country and contributing to local economies.At the last Ukraine Defence Contact Group in October 2025, the Defence Secretary confirmed that £600 million has been invested by the UK this year to accelerate drone delivery to Ukraine, with more than 85,000 military drones delivered in just six months.

When the Home Defence Programme will be fully implemented.

The Cabinet Office leads the Home Defence Programme, with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as a key contributor. Implementation is guided by the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review, the National Security Strategy, and the Resilience Action Plan, each setting distinct timelines for projects within the programme.Defence of the homeland is an ongoing responsibility for the MOD, ensuring the safety and resilience of the United Kingdom in accordance with the threat. Accordingly, the MOD will maintain up-to-date plans in coordination with NATO and wider Government.

What recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on future plans for a deployment of foreign service personnel to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force.

We welcome the significant efforts from both President Trump and President Zelenskyy to make progress on a peace deal and the constructive engagement in Geneva over the weekend towards securing a just and lasting peace.We always encourage our partners to do whatever they can to support Ukraine. Any decisions on what support a state may wish to consider providing in support of Ukraine, including deploying personnel, rests with individual governments.

If he will publish a command paper for the Defence Reform programme.

At this present time, there are no plans to publish a Command Paper for the Defence Reform programme. The programme is being delivered through established internal governance and Ministerial oversight, which ensures transparency and accountability without the need for a formal Command Paper.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 70650 on Defence, which legislation the Defence Readiness Bill will provide the groundwork for.

The Ministry of Defence is working to develop defence readiness legislation as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy. We are engaging with other Government Departments as they consider what legislation they may wish to bring forward in the context of the Government’s Home Defence Programme led by the Cabinet Office. No decisions have yet been taken on the detailed composition of the Government’s future legislative programme for future sessions.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK building the factories of the future as government launches next phase of new munitions and energetics factories, published on 19 November 2025, whether the £1.5 billion is new funding.

We are committed to ensuring the Defence industry is an engine for growth through strengthened industrial relationships and domestic investment. We have committed £1.5 billion in the Strategic Defence Review to move munitions production to "always on" and build six new munitions and energetics factories, taking our total munitions spend this parliament to £6 billion. The £250 million investment is supporting the Defence Growth Deals that were announced in the Defence Industrial Strategy. Whilst it is currently premature to comment on specific proposals, more detail will be available once the necessary preparatory work has been completed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 70650 on Defence, if he will list which other areas of Government for which the Defence Readiness Bill will be a legislative vehicle.

The Ministry of Defence is working to develop defence readiness legislation as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy. We are engaging with other Government Departments as they consider what legislation they may wish to bring forward in the context of the Government’s Home Defence Programme led by the Cabinet Office. No decisions have yet been taken on the detailed composition of the Government’s future legislative programme for future sessions.

Whether he plans to deploy British service personnel to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force.

As the Prime Minister has said previously, the UK is ready to play a leading role in accelerating work on security guarantees to achieve a lasting peace for Ukraine. This includes further support for Ukraine's military, where the UK has already committed £3 billion a year until at least 2030. But it also means being ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground after the ceasefire if necessary.

What progress she has made on implementing the Home Defence Programme.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with the Cabinet Office colleagues on a range of issues, including national security and resilience. As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, Defence has an integral role in the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme. The Ministry of Defence is therefore working closely with the Cabinet Office across all appropriate levels to ensure alignment between civil and military planning for some of the most serious risks we face.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK building the factories of the future as government launches next phase of new munitions and energetics factories, published on 19 November 2025, what percentage of the £250 million funding will be spent on British companies.

We are committed to ensuring the Defence industry is an engine for growth through strengthened industrial relationships and domestic investment. We have committed £1.5 billion in the Strategic Defence Review to move munitions production to "always on" and build six new munitions and energetics factories, taking our total munitions spend this parliament to £6 billion. The £250 million investment is supporting the Defence Growth Deals that were announced in the Defence Industrial Strategy. Whilst it is currently premature to comment on specific proposals, more detail will be available once the necessary preparatory work has been completed.