Written questions by Cartlidge.

What measures are in place to protect British waters from future incursions by the Russian submarine Krasnodar.

The Royal Navy shadowed the Russian Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar and its accompanying tug-boat, Altay, through the English Channel. The Krasnodar remained on the surface for the duration of her transit and operated in line with international obligations. Should the Krasnodar or any other Russian Federation Navy unit enter UK waters, Defence is poised to monitor, track and respond.As part of its core task, the Royal Navy monitors, tracks and responds to any potential threats in the UK's EEZ, through frequent patrolling by British warships, monitoring and shadowing foreign warships in UK waters, and use of the Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS) programme, among other activity and capabilities. The government has also been clear on its readiness and willingness to respond decisively to any maritime threat to the UK and its interests. More broadly, the recently announced Atlantic Bastion will secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing underwater threat from a modernising Russian submarine force.

What plans are in place for transportation of the ordnance on board HMS Lancaster.

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. 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. The ammunition will be transported using standard defence logistics pathways for the safe movement of munitions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December to Question 95413 on Military Exercises, whether the scale back of the Royal Navy's participation in overseas training will result in the early retirement of any Royal Navy vessels.

Our overseas training programme is kept under review to ensure it reflects Defence priorities and operational requirements, both for the UK and our partners. The programme is inherently dynamic and decisions taken one year do not determine activity in future years. This approach allows the Services to select the most appropriate activities to meet current training needs. This approach ensures flexibility, avoids duplication, and delivers value for money while maintaining our ability to meet NATO and wider operational commitments. The decision of whether to participate in an exercise would not impact plans to retire individual vessels, nor would it impact upon plans to retire military platforms.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December to Question 95413 on Military Exercises, if he will list the countries in which Royal Navy overseas training exercises will be reduced over the next four years.

Our overseas training programme is kept under review to ensure it reflects Defence priorities and operational requirements, both for the UK and our partners. The programme is inherently dynamic and decisions taken one year do not determine activity in future years. This approach allows the Services to select the most appropriate activities to meet current training needs. This approach ensures flexibility, avoids duplication, and delivers value for money while maintaining our ability to meet NATO and wider operational commitments. The decision of whether to participate in an exercise would not impact plans to retire individual vessels, nor would it impact upon plans to retire military platforms.

Whether HMS Lancaster was deemed unfit to conduct a return journey to the United Kingdom for decommissioning.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him to Question 98839 on 19 December 2025 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.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December to Question 95413 on Military Exercises, if he will list the countries in which Army overseas training exercises will be reduced from financial year 2026-27.

Our overseas training programme is kept under review to ensure it reflects Defence priorities and operational requirements, both for the UK and our partners. The programme is inherently dynamic and decisions taken one year do not determine activity in future years. This approach allows the Services to select the most appropriate activities to meet current training needs. This approach ensures flexibility, avoids duplication, and delivers value for money while maintaining our ability to meet NATO and wider operational commitments. The decision of whether to participate in an exercise would not impact plans to retire individual vessels, nor would it impact upon plans to retire military platforms.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December to Question 95413 on Military Exercises, if he will list the Army overseas training exercises that will be reduced from financial year 2026-27.

Our overseas training programme is kept under review to ensure it reflects Defence priorities and operational requirements, both for the UK and our partners. The programme is inherently dynamic and decisions taken one year do not determine activity in future years. This approach allows the Services to select the most appropriate activities to meet current training needs. This approach ensures flexibility, avoids duplication, and delivers value for money while maintaining our ability to meet NATO and wider operational commitments. The decision of whether to participate in an exercise would not impact plans to retire individual vessels, nor would it impact upon plans to retire military platforms.

What recent steps he has taken to protect British waters from Russian submarines.

As the Strategic Defence Review outlines, there is a persistent and growing underwater threat to the UK and NATO from a modernising Russian submarine force. In response, the Ministry of Defence has announced Atlantic Bastion – the Royal Navy's programme creating an advanced hybrid naval force to defend the UK and NATO allies against this evolving threat. Atlantic Bastion will see ships, submarines, aircraft and unmanned vessels connected through AI-powered acoustic detection technology and integrated into a digital targeting web. Atlantic Bastion will enable the Armed Forces to find, track and, if required, act against adversaries with unprecedented effectiveness across vast areas of ocean. It represents a generational shift in capability and dominance in the North Atlantic.

Whether he has (a) discussed and (b) decided the numbers of British troops that could be sent to Ukraine as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

Operational planning is ongoing but any deployment will depend on the conditions of the ceasefire and peace talks. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December to Question 95413 on Military Exercises, whether the reduction in Army overseas training exercises from financial year 2026-27 will result in the retirement of any military platforms.

Our overseas training programme is kept under review to ensure it reflects Defence priorities and operational requirements, both for the UK and our partners. The programme is inherently dynamic and decisions taken one year do not determine activity in future years. This approach allows the Services to select the most appropriate activities to meet current training needs. This approach ensures flexibility, avoids duplication, and delivers value for money while maintaining our ability to meet NATO and wider operational commitments. The decision of whether to participate in an exercise would not impact plans to retire individual vessels, nor would it impact upon plans to retire military platforms.

Whether he has agreed the roles performed by British troops in the Multinational Force Ukraine.

The Multinational Force - Ukraine will strengthen Ukraine's path to peace and stability by securing Ukraine's skies, supporting safer seas, and regenerating Ukraine's own forces. The focus is on developing a plan to meet the requirements of the peace deal in order to support Ukraine's Armed Forces to regenerate to defend Ukraine and support European security for generations to come. Operational planning is ongoing but any deployment will depend on the conditions of the ceasefire and peace talks.

How many AI contracts have been awarded by his Department since 5 July 2024.

The Department can confirm that from 5 July 2024, two AI contracts have been awarded. However, many more contracts, not classified as AI will contain elements of AI as part of a contemporary service offer.

When will the decommissioning of HMS Lancaster be completed.

Crew will be required to decommission HMS Lancaster. Disposal options are currently under consideration, therefore I am unable to confirm when this process will be complete. The Royal Navy is committed to reuniting the crew with their loved ones as soon as possible and will maximise the number of personnel that can travel home for Christmas.

Whether any of HMS Lancaster's crew will remain in Bahrain for the period of her decommissioning.

Crew will be required to decommission HMS Lancaster. Disposal options are currently under consideration, therefore I am unable to confirm when this process will be complete. The Royal Navy is committed to reuniting the crew with their loved ones as soon as possible and will maximise the number of personnel that can travel home for Christmas.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled New robots lead the way in bomb disposal innovation, published on 5 February 2025, how many contracts he has placed with AeroVironment since 5 February 2025.

The Department has not awarded any contracts to AeroVironment since 5 February 2025.

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.

Which Royal Navy vessels Peregrine is currently deployed on.

Peregrine, the Royal Navy’s first Rotary Wing Uncrewed Aerial System is being recovered to the UK having been deployed in HMS Lancaster in the Gulf. Once returned, Peregrine will be reconfigured into a self-contained solution to deploy to other maritime platforms.

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.

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.