Written questions by Cartlidge.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of protection of sensitive military documents from online hacking.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the security of its information very seriously. Our policies set out a range of technical and procedural controls applied to systems and content throughout their lifecycle and we use a range of assurance measures. We do not comment on details as these could provide a potential adversary with information which could help them to craft a cyber attack against the MOD, which would adversely impact Defence and National Security.

Whether he has extended the deadline for signing the Army Collective Training Service contract.

The competition for the Army's Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) remains ongoing and is currently in the final stages. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled 20,000 UK jobs secured as Türkiye buys 20 Typhoon jets in biggest fighter jet deal in a generation, published on 27 October 2025, whether he has a proposed timetable for the procurement of E-Scan radar.

The UK has already made significant investment into the development of the next generation radar system for our Typhoon Aircraft, including over £200 million released earlier this year by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury for initial production and which followed the successful completion of initial flight trials in February. We remain committed, alongside our partners in Industry, NETMA and the other Core Nations, to the delivery of the next generation radar capability to the UK's Typhoon fleet by the end of this decade.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled 20,000 UK jobs secured as Türkiye buys 20 Typhoon jets in biggest fighter jet deal in a generation, published on 27 October 2025, when he plans to place a contract for a Phase 4 Enhancement electronics upgrade.

The Phase 4 Enhancement capability package (P4E) is an essential enabler for the implementation of the next generation radar enhancement for the UK's Typhoon fleet. The System Definition Contract for P4E was signed in June 2024 and since then the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy have been working closely alongside NETMA and our industry partners to agree on the final P4E capability package, which will then move into the Design, Development and Demonstration phase.Additionally, the Core Nations have agreed to begin early design work on long lead activities, ensuring that critical path activities for P4E capability are protected. The delivery of the P4E package is planned to take place by the end of this decade.

What the status is of the Army Collective Training Service contract.

The competition for the Army's Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) remains ongoing and is currently in the final stages. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Whether the post of Chief of Defence People has been abolished or re-titled.

Significant reforms are being implemented within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), fundamentally transforming its operations. This is the biggest transformation of the MOD in over 50 years. Defence is now led by a strengthened Department of State, a fully-fledged Military Strategic Headquarters, a new National Armaments Director Group, and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. Under Defence Reform, the post of Chief of Defence People has been disestablished. The Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Force Development) will play a key role in supporting our Military people, working with the Director General, People, to improve accountability, efficiency, and clarity in our people policy and strategy.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of results found by the Armed Forces Sexualised Behaviours and Sexual Harassment Survey published on the 13 November 2025.

Sexual harassment and sexualised behaviours undermine the wellbeing of our people and operational effectiveness and have no place in Defence. Last year, Defence launched the Raising Our Standards programme, under direct Ministerial oversight through a Steering Board which I chair, as well as external scrutiny through an External Challenge Panel to hold Defence leaders to account. Raising our Standards is central to Defence’s response and is driving the cultural change we need, and is therefore a long-term programme of reform. By commissioning the UK’s first ever comprehensive military sexual harassment survey, this Government is establishing, for the first time, a no holds barred baseline to fully confront and address the root causes of the issue, and set new standards in transparency and accountability across our Armed Forces. While the survey represents a small sample—around 17% of regulars and 5% of reserves—these findings provide new, detailed, and unprecedented insights to help combat unacceptable behaviour and target immediate areas of focus: We’re implementing a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) taskforce – for all Servicewomen and men – with physical hubs supporting the breadth of the Defence footprint, with initial locations in Catterick and Plymouth. With prevention at its core, this taskforce aims to tackle the root causes of harmful behaviour rather than simply responding to incidents. Other initiatives include a Kings Counsel review of cases of unacceptable behaviours, and the application of zero tolerance policies, and the set-up of a new Tri-Service Complaints Unit to handle the most serious complaints outside of Service Chains of Command. The pilot for this new Unit is already underway. An Armed Forces Commissioner will also be appointed shortly. We will continue to deliver Whole Force educational and behavioural campaigns. Recently, a new mandatory training package was introduced for all senior military leaders on how to recognise and respond to unacceptable behaviour and support victims. We have also already launched a new Service Complaints App to make it easier for personnel to raise concerns, and strengthened external oversight through the Service Police Complaints Commissioner to provide impartial scrutiny of complaints. Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled MOD response to the first Armed Forces Sexualised Behaviours and Sexual Harassment Survey, published on 13 November 2025, what new measures he will be implementing in the armed forces to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

Sexual harassment and sexualised behaviours undermine the wellbeing of our people and operational effectiveness and have no place in Defence. Last year, Defence launched the Raising Our Standards programme, under direct Ministerial oversight through a Steering Board which I chair, as well as external scrutiny through an External Challenge Panel to hold Defence leaders to account. Raising our Standards is central to Defence’s response and is driving the cultural change we need, and is therefore a long-term programme of reform. By commissioning the UK’s first ever comprehensive military sexual harassment survey, this Government is establishing, for the first time, a no holds barred baseline to fully confront and address the root causes of the issue, and set new standards in transparency and accountability across our Armed Forces. While the survey represents a small sample—around 17% of regulars and 5% of reserves—these findings provide new, detailed, and unprecedented insights to help combat unacceptable behaviour and target immediate areas of focus: We’re implementing a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) taskforce – for all Servicewomen and men – with physical hubs supporting the breadth of the Defence footprint, with initial locations in Catterick and Plymouth. With prevention at its core, this taskforce aims to tackle the root causes of harmful behaviour rather than simply responding to incidents. Other initiatives include a Kings Counsel review of cases of unacceptable behaviours, and the application of zero tolerance policies, and the set-up of a new Tri-Service Complaints Unit to handle the most serious complaints outside of Service Chains of Command. The pilot for this new Unit is already underway. An Armed Forces Commissioner will also be appointed shortly. We will continue to deliver Whole Force educational and behavioural campaigns. Recently, a new mandatory training package was introduced for all senior military leaders on how to recognise and respond to unacceptable behaviour and support victims. We have also already launched a new Service Complaints App to make it easier for personnel to raise concerns, and strengthened external oversight through the Service Police Complaints Commissioner to provide impartial scrutiny of complaints. Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

With reference to his Department's government response entitled Statements following the sentencing of Michael Webber, published on 31 October 2025, when the new cultural reform programme will (a) begin and (b) be fully implemented.

Sexual harassment and sexualised behaviours undermine the wellbeing of our people and operational effectiveness and have no place in Defence. Last year, Defence launched the Raising Our Standards programme, under direct Ministerial oversight through a Steering Board which I chair, as well as external scrutiny through an External Challenge Panel to hold Defence leaders to account. Raising our Standards is central to Defence’s response and is driving the cultural change we need, and is therefore a long-term programme of reform. By commissioning the UK’s first ever comprehensive military sexual harassment survey, this Government is establishing, for the first time, a no holds barred baseline to fully confront and address the root causes of the issue, and set new standards in transparency and accountability across our Armed Forces. While the survey represents a small sample—around 17% of regulars and 5% of reserves—these findings provide new, detailed, and unprecedented insights to help combat unacceptable behaviour and target immediate areas of focus: We’re implementing a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) taskforce – for all Servicewomen and men – with physical hubs supporting the breadth of the Defence footprint, with initial locations in Catterick and Plymouth. With prevention at its core, this taskforce aims to tackle the root causes of harmful behaviour rather than simply responding to incidents. Other initiatives include a Kings Counsel review of cases of unacceptable behaviours, and the application of zero tolerance policies, and the set-up of a new Tri-Service Complaints Unit to handle the most serious complaints outside of Service Chains of Command. The pilot for this new Unit is already underway. An Armed Forces Commissioner will also be appointed shortly. We will continue to deliver Whole Force educational and behavioural campaigns. Recently, a new mandatory training package was introduced for all senior military leaders on how to recognise and respond to unacceptable behaviour and support victims. We have also already launched a new Service Complaints App to make it easier for personnel to raise concerns, and strengthened external oversight through the Service Police Complaints Commissioner to provide impartial scrutiny of complaints. Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 33505 on Jaysley Beck, what recent progress he has made on implementing measures to build a safer and more inclusive environment for women serving in the armed forces.

Sexual harassment and sexualised behaviours undermine the wellbeing of our people and operational effectiveness and have no place in Defence. Last year, Defence launched the Raising Our Standards programme, under direct Ministerial oversight through a Steering Board which I chair, as well as external scrutiny through an External Challenge Panel to hold Defence leaders to account. Raising our Standards is central to Defence’s response and is driving the cultural change we need, and is therefore a long-term programme of reform. By commissioning the UK’s first ever comprehensive military sexual harassment survey, this Government is establishing, for the first time, a no holds barred baseline to fully confront and address the root causes of the issue, and set new standards in transparency and accountability across our Armed Forces. While the survey represents a small sample—around 17% of regulars and 5% of reserves—these findings provide new, detailed, and unprecedented insights to help combat unacceptable behaviour and target immediate areas of focus: We’re implementing a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) taskforce – for all Servicewomen and men – with physical hubs supporting the breadth of the Defence footprint, with initial locations in Catterick and Plymouth. With prevention at its core, this taskforce aims to tackle the root causes of harmful behaviour rather than simply responding to incidents. Other initiatives include a Kings Counsel review of cases of unacceptable behaviours, and the application of zero tolerance policies, and the set-up of a new Tri-Service Complaints Unit to handle the most serious complaints outside of Service Chains of Command. The pilot for this new Unit is already underway. An Armed Forces Commissioner will also be appointed shortly. We will continue to deliver Whole Force educational and behavioural campaigns. Recently, a new mandatory training package was introduced for all senior military leaders on how to recognise and respond to unacceptable behaviour and support victims. We have also already launched a new Service Complaints App to make it easier for personnel to raise concerns, and strengthened external oversight through the Service Police Complaints Commissioner to provide impartial scrutiny of complaints. Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 April to Question 33505 on Jaysley Beck, whether any new substantive measures have been introduced since 17 April 2025.

Sexual harassment and sexualised behaviours undermine the wellbeing of our people and operational effectiveness and have no place in Defence. Last year, Defence launched the Raising Our Standards programme, under direct Ministerial oversight through a Steering Board which I chair, as well as external scrutiny through an External Challenge Panel to hold Defence leaders to account. Raising our Standards is central to Defence’s response and is driving the cultural change we need, and is therefore a long-term programme of reform. By commissioning the UK’s first ever comprehensive military sexual harassment survey, this Government is establishing, for the first time, a no holds barred baseline to fully confront and address the root causes of the issue, and set new standards in transparency and accountability across our Armed Forces. While the survey represents a small sample—around 17% of regulars and 5% of reserves—these findings provide new, detailed, and unprecedented insights to help combat unacceptable behaviour and target immediate areas of focus: We’re implementing a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) taskforce – for all Servicewomen and men – with physical hubs supporting the breadth of the Defence footprint, with initial locations in Catterick and Plymouth. With prevention at its core, this taskforce aims to tackle the root causes of harmful behaviour rather than simply responding to incidents. Other initiatives include a Kings Counsel review of cases of unacceptable behaviours, and the application of zero tolerance policies, and the set-up of a new Tri-Service Complaints Unit to handle the most serious complaints outside of Service Chains of Command. The pilot for this new Unit is already underway. An Armed Forces Commissioner will also be appointed shortly. We will continue to deliver Whole Force educational and behavioural campaigns. Recently, a new mandatory training package was introduced for all senior military leaders on how to recognise and respond to unacceptable behaviour and support victims. We have also already launched a new Service Complaints App to make it easier for personnel to raise concerns, and strengthened external oversight through the Service Police Complaints Commissioner to provide impartial scrutiny of complaints. Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

If he will publish the (a) models and (b) manufacturing country of 3D printers currently in use by the British Army.

The British Army’s use of 3D printers forms part of its trial and experimentation efforts. Consequently, details relating to 3D printing equipment are not held centrally. The Army has strict security procedures in place to ensure all sensitive information is protected. Safeguarding the UK’s national security is the foundation of everything the British Army does. Therefore sensible security precautions are taken in regard to 3D Printers which are not connected to the defence network and are not used to produce any sensitive materials.

With reference to page 140 of the MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his decision to cancel the Rolling Vertical Landing upgrade on F-35 capability.

Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL) for the UK's F-35B Lightning aircraft to Queen Elizabeth Class carriers has not been cancelled; it has been re-profiled as a Defence Choice so that fitting the capability aligns with the introduction of a related complex weapons programme. This is not expected to have an adverse impact on overall Carrier Strike or F-35B capability.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled 20,000 UK jobs secured as Türkiye buys 20 Typhoon jets in biggest fighter jet deal in a generation, published on 27 October 2025, whether he plans to order any further Typhoons for use by the RAF.

As the hon. Gentleman will know, the UK's future combat air capability to enable the Integrated Force is being finalised through the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published later this year. The Plan will consider the appropriate mix of 4th and 5th generation combat aircraft required to meet our military requirements and the associated economic benefits of the UK's Typhoon and F35 industrial workshare.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 85226 on Defence: Contracts, when he will publish the results of the public consultation.

The results of the public consultation will be published in the first half of 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June to Question 53596 on European Union: Military Alliances, whether he has held discussions with his EU counterparts on the participation of the UK in common procurement under SAFE since 2 June 2025.

The UK is committed to resetting our relationship with the EU. We continue working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes exploring UK participation in the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine. SAFE negotiations are ongoing andwe will not provide a running commentary on talks.This Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value for money to UK taxpayers.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June to Question 53596 on European Union: Military Alliances, whether there has been any enhanced cooperation between the European Union and the UK through the proposed SAFE instrument since 2 June 2025.

The UK is committed to resetting our relationship with the EU. We continue working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes exploring UK participation in the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine. SAFE negotiations are ongoing andwe will not provide a running commentary on talks.This Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value for money to UK taxpayers.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June to Question 53596 on European Union: Military Alliances, whether the European Union has formally issued the UK with a proposed fee to participate in the proposed SAFE instrument.

The UK is committed to resetting our relationship with the EU. We continue working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes exploring UK participation in the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine. SAFE negotiations are ongoing andwe will not provide a running commentary on talks.This Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value for money to UK taxpayers.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June to Question 53596 on European Union: Military Alliances, whether the European Union has formally invited the UK to join the proposed SAFE instrument.

The UK is committed to resetting our relationship with the EU. We continue working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes exploring UK participation in the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine. SAFE negotiations are ongoing andwe will not provide a running commentary on talks.This Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value for money to UK taxpayers.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June to Question 53596 on European Union: Military Alliances, did the European Union request payment to allow UK participation in the proposed SAFE instrument.

The UK is committed to resetting our relationship with the EU. We continue working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes exploring UK participation in the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine. SAFE negotiations are ongoing andwe will not provide a running commentary on talks.This Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value for money to UK taxpayers.