Written questions by Cartlidge.

What assessment he has made of the quality of electronic warfare equipment used by the armed forces in training exercises.

The UK Armed Forces have made, and continue to make, significant investments in advanced Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) capabilities to ensure operational effectiveness in modern combat scenarios. Training exercises routinely integrate EW systems to replicate real-world conditions, enabling personnel to develop critical skills in detecting, countering, and exploiting electromagnetic signals. The quality of such equipment reflects the UK's commitment to maintaining a technologically advanced and highly capable military force. The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) have also conducted specific assessments and evaluations on behalf of the Ministry of Defence regarding the quality and performance of EW equipment utilised by the Services' during training exercises. I am withholding information on the list of electronic warfare equipment used on the grounds of national security as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

What approvals process is required by the Military Aviation Authority for the use of (a) reconnaissance and (b) kinetic drones on UK military bases.

The process for Military Aviation Authority (MAA) approvals of Ministry of Defence (MOD) Uncrewed Air System (UAS) [1] activity is detailed in Regulatory Article 1600 with amplification within the UAS Manual available on the www.gov.uk website. The approvals process is proportionate to the operating intent and level of risk to life posed. The approval is a one-off process for a MOD organisation to operate a type of UAS i.e. a licence to operate and not an approval per flight. The majority of MOD UAS used for airborne reconnaissance on MOD bases are small ‘Open category’ UAS requiring submission of a limited safety checklist for MAA approval. The MAA guarantees a response within 60 days, but over 90% of applications are processed in under 30 days and those with higher priority processed in under 24 hours. The agile approach adopted by the MAA has been welcomed. Approvals for weaponised ‘kinetic drones’ is necessarily more complex. Approval timelines are dependent on the technical maturity of the system, risk to life posed, location of use and safety mitigations in place, to ensure an appropriate level of safety to military users and the UK population.[1] MAA Regulations are transitioning to the term ‘Uncrewed Air System’ rather than ‘drone’ or ‘Remotely Piloted Air System’ in order to align with nomenclature of ICAO and NATO nations.

How many volunteer reservists received an annual bounty in the last five financial years by (a) service and (b) rank.

It will take time to collate the information needed to answer the hon. Member’s questions. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

What the cost to his Department was of volunteer reserve pay excluding annual bounties in the last five financial years by service.

It will take time to collate the information needed to answer the hon. Member’s questions. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

How many volunteer reservists completed (a) up to 18, (b) 19 to 26 and (c) over 27 reserve service days in the last five financial years by service.

It will take time to collate the information needed to answer the hon. Member’s questions. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

How many orders of electronic warfare equipment has his Department made for use by the armed forces since 5 July 2024.

The Department procure a number of systems across all domains, many of which are integrated into larger platforms. Consequently, the information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

With reference to the press release entitled UK to purchase F-35As and join NATO mission as Government steps up national security and delivers defence dividend, published on 24 June 2025, whether nuclear certification of the aircraft will take place (a) prior and (b) after the aircraft are delivered.

The detail of F-35 procurement is subject to the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan, which is scheduled to complete in the Autumn. However, we will not be providing detailed updates on the steps required to enable participation in the NATO nuclear mission for national security reasons.

How many reserve service days were completed by the Volunteer Reserves in the last five financial years by rank.

It will take time to collate the information needed to answer the hon. Member’s questions. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

How many reserve service days were completed by the Volunteer Reserves in the last five financial years by service.

It will take time to collate the information needed to answer the hon. Member’s questions. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

How many orders of electronic jamming equipment his Department has made for use by the armed forces since 5 July 2024.

The Department procure a number of systems across all domains, many of which are integrated into larger platforms. Consequently, the information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

What steps he is taking to provide electronic warfare equipment to the army for use in training exercises.

The Army currently provides specialist Electronic Warfare equipment for use on operations and training exercises. I am unable to provide any further detail relating to this provision for reasons of operational security.

What the cost to his Department was of the volunteer reserve annual bounty in the last five financial years by service.

It will take time to collate the information needed to answer the hon. Member’s questions. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

How many orders of electronic surveillance equipment his Department has made for use by the armed forces since 5 July 2024.

The Department procure a number of systems across all domains, many of which are integrated into larger platforms. Consequently, the information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

With reference to the press release entitled UK to purchase F-35As and join NATO mission as Government steps up national security and delivers defence dividend, published on 24 June 2025, what his target date is for the RAF to have access to air launched weapons to use with the purchased F-35A aircraft.

It would not be appropriate to comment on timeframes in which UK F-35A aircraft will have access to US air-launched nuclear weapons for reasons of safeguarding of national security.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62275 on Defence: Finance, whether the his Department's contribution will be included in the defence budget after 2027.

A proportion of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme spend will contribute to the UK NATO target across the Spending Review period. This spend will be part of the FCDO budget, not the Defence budget. The final total quantum will be determined through the multi-year programme allocations process. The FCDO will continue to publish non-ODA programme spending plans in the normal way through the Annual Report and Accounts.

When he plans to publish the Defence Housing Strategy.

The Defence Housing Strategy will be published later this year and will set out wider plans to improve the standard of Service family homes. The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking an extensive review of its entire estate, including how the Department will make best use of the properties that have been reacquired from Annington, and which homes and locations can most benefit from investment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62275 on Defence: Finance, when the amount of his Department's contribution will be (a) determined and (b) published.

A proportion of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme spend will contribute to the UK NATO target across the Spending Review period. This spend will be part of the FCDO budget, not the Defence budget. The final total quantum will be determined through the multi-year programme allocations process. The FCDO will continue to publish non-ODA programme spending plans in the normal way through the Annual Report and Accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June to Question 62275 on Defence: Finance, whether the FCDO contribution referred to will be included in the Defence budget in 2028.

A proportion of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme spend will contribute to the UK NATO target across the Spending Review period. This spend will be part of the FCDO budget, not the Defence budget. The final total quantum will be determined through the multi-year programme allocations process. The FCDO will continue to publish non-ODA programme spending plans in the normal way through the Annual Report and Accounts.

With reference to the press release entitled UK to purchase F-35As and join NATO mission as Government steps up national security and delivers defence dividend, published on 24 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Royal Air Force's air to air refuelling capability for F35As.

I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to Question 63066 on 4 July 2025 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty).

With reference to the press release entitled UK to purchase F-35As and join NATO mission as Government steps up national security and delivers defence dividend, published on 24 June 2025, what the in service date is for the F-35A aircraft purchased.

Negotiations with the Joint Programme Office to agree the contract and the schedule for order and delivery of the aircraft are ongoing.