Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, what the cost of establishing the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation will be.

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation. The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology. The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

With reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how many staff will be employed as part of the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation.

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation. The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology. The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

With reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, when the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation will be established.

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation. The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology. The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

With reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, who will command the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation.

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation. The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology. The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

What is timetable is for the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Defence Investment Plan will be published in the Autumn.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how many crew are required to staff the announced production of up to 12 submarines.

The SSNA Programme is currently in the detailed design phase, which includes determining crew numbers. The aim is to deliver the first UK submarines into service in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-Class vessels.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, when he plans to produce the first attack submarine.

The SSNA Programme is currently in the detailed design phase, which includes determining crew numbers. The aim is to deliver the first UK submarines into service in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-Class vessels.

When he plans to publish the Defence Industrial Strategy.

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. The Defence Industrial Strategy will be published in the coming months.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19731 on Poland: Guided Weapons, what the planned in service date is for the Future Common Missile.

We are continuing to work with Poland to develop our plans for future Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities. The planned in-service dates of those capabilities will be determined in due course.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, in which year the £1.5bn always on pipeline will commence.

Defence is investing £6 billion in munitions this Parliament, including an extra £1.5 billion in an 'always on' pipeline for munitions and building at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK, generating over 1,000 jobs, and boosting export potential.

What the in service date for the effector resulting from the European Long-Range Strike Approach programme is.

The European Long Range Strike Arrangement (ELSA) is exploring national requirements around several systems and effectors to achieve various capabilities and ranges. The longest-range systems under consideration have in-service dates from 2030 onwards.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how many years will be covered by the £1.5bn always on pipeline for munitions.

Defence is investing £6 billion in munitions this Parliament, including an extra £1.5 billion in an 'always on' pipeline for munitions and building at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK, generating over 1,000 jobs, and boosting export potential.

What steps he is taking to ensure that critical components of military drones manufactured in the UK and supplied to Ukraine are sourced from UK suppliers.

Where the UK’s drone industry can meet Ukraine’s drone requirements, Task Force KINDRED try to source from UK industry. This has been reaffirmed by the Defence Secretary’s announcement at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 4 June 2025, where he pledged £350 million investment into drones this financial year, with the majority of the spend to be with British companies. The UK’s military support to Ukraine is based upon Ukraine’s needs, prioritising speed of delivery for equipment. When drone production or their performance is constrained by supply of components, the Ministry of Defence has worked with UK companies to develop and produce new components.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025 in which year the new £11bn Invest annual budget will commence.

Under Defence Reform, the Department's investment funding has been brought together in one place under the National Armaments Director Group from this financial year. Further details of this invest budget will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan this autumn.

Whether he plans to procure a land cruise missile.

The Strategic Defence Review signifies a landmark shift in our deterrence and defence: moving to warfighting readiness to deter threats and strengthen security in the Euro-Atlantic. Through the Strategic Defence Review, the UK’s defence and deterrence is being bolstered with 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons and a new £1.5 billion Government investment in munitions and energetics factories. Complex weapons, of which cruise missiles are one option, are a necessary part of our warfighting and deterrence. The exact laydown of our complex weapons capability mix is confidential, and it would be inappropriate to comment outside of information that will be included in the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to page 5 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, who the new National Armaments Director appointed on 1 April 2025 is.

Andy Start is acting National Armaments Director (NAD). He is also the Chief Executive of the Defence Equipment and Support organisation. This is to ensure that the momentum of Defence Reform is sustained while we recruit for a permanent NAD.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, whether the new CyberEM Command will be a distinct entity to the National Cyber Force.

Yes, the Cyber and Electromagnetic Command will be a distinct entity to the National Cyber Force (NCF). It will put the UK at the forefront of cyber operations. The Strategic Defence Review is clear that the new Cyber and EM Command will not affect the NCF’s authorities or how it conducts operations, but it will cohere and oversee cyber operations for Defence.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how much of the £11bn Invest annual budget represents new money.

We will develop a new Defence Investment Plan to deliver the Strategic Defence Review’s vision. We will ensure the Plan is deliverable and affordable, considers infrastructure alongside capabilities, enables flexibility to seize new technology opportunities, and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy. This will supersede the old-style Defence Equipment Plan. This will deliver the best kit and technology into the hands of our front-line forces at speed and, importantly, invest in and grow the UK economy. The Defence Investment Plan will be completed later this year. The plan will highlight how the Government's historic investment in defence will deliver warfighting readiness to deter increasing threats and drive defence as an engine for jobs and growth.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how much of the £6bn announced for munitions this Parliament has been accounted for in his Department’s budget.

We will develop a new Defence Investment Plan to deliver the Strategic Defence Review’s vision. We will ensure the Plan is deliverable and affordable, considers infrastructure alongside capabilities, enables flexibility to seize new technology opportunities, and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy. This will supersede the old-style Defence Equipment Plan. This will deliver the best kit and technology into the hands of our front-line forces at speed and, importantly, invest in and grow the UK economy. The plan will highlight how the Government's historic investment in defence will deliver warfighting readiness to deter increasing threats and drive defence as an engine for jobs and growth. The Defence Investment Plan will be published later this year.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 2, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], what protections are in place to ensure that Mauritius does not pass on information relating to an armed attack to any (a) third parties and (b) other nations.

Article 3(2) of the Treaty states that Mauritius cannot undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the military base on Diego Garcia, and that Mauritius shall cooperate to that end. This will ensure that military operations are not compromised in any way. In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 June 2025 to Question 57298, any notification to Mauritius will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information.