Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 37237 on Defence: Procurement, what the other Departmental publications are that are working in parallel to the SME direct spend target.

The Ministry of Defence's SME direct spend target continues to be developed in parallel with and as part of the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. We intend to publish an updated SME Action Plan setting out how we will deliver on the target and take forward the broader commitments to SMEs set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy.

What estimate he has made of the number of jobs that will be supported by the New Medium Helicopter contract in each of the next four financial years.

The New Medium Helicopter procurement remains commercially sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process needs to complete before further details, including estimates of the number of jobs it will support, can be confirmed.

How many jobs will be supported in defence rotary contracts during this Parliament.

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Whether he plans to increase the weight of drone that armed forces personnel are permitted to pilot during training.

There is no maximum weight of an Uncrewed Aerial System which an operator can use during military training. UK Service personnel are routinely training with uncrewed systems that range in weight from grammes to tonnes.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 39874 on Firing Ranges: Northumberland, for what reason his Department do not record time lost due to incursions on Ministry of Defence Ranges.

Training time lost due to incursions on Ministry of Defence ranges is not recorded as the Defence Infrastructure Organisation has not been requested to do so.

Whether he plans to procure any SG-1 Fathom underwater gliders.

The Royal Navy has begun industry engagement to understand how commercial systems could be used to conduct anti-submarine warfare in the Atlantic. Any acquisition of these capabilities would be subject to outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review, funding and open competition.

What steps he is taking to expand signal jamming practice for armed forces personnel.

The Ministry of Defence is not taking any additional steps to ‘expand’ its ability to enable Armed Forces personnel to practice jamming signals, It is not appropriate to go into details for operational security reasons. I can confirm beyond the that there are extant procedures that exist to enable jamming for testing, training and exercising in the UK.

Whether he plans to procure the Lura-SG-1 artificial intelligence system.

The Royal Navy has begun industry engagement to understand how commercial systems could be used to conduct anti-submarine warfare in the Atlantic.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 May to Question 48490 on Brunei: Armed Forces, what mitigations are in place until the introduction of the H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopters.

I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the recently agreed trade agreement with India on Defence.

The landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a significant achievement which will strengthen the UK's economy. While the defence sector is not directly linked to the FTA, secondary benefits for Defence will include improved terms for advanced manufacturing, business mobility and stronger bilateral relations to drive forward a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

How many Australian companies have been approved by the Australian Government to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community.

Australia currently has 344 members of its Authorised User Community. The reason that their membership numbers are higher than the UK is a result of Australia migrating their members from the Australia Approved Community (AC) which is under the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty (DTCT) 2012. The Australian DTCT was more widely used by Australia than the UK and therefore Australia had more AC members to migrate than the UK.

What the average processing time is for UK applications for companies to join the Authorised User Community exemption from the U.S. International Traffic in Arms regulations.

The Ministry of Defence has only recently fully established the new Authorised User Community (AUC) joining process. Application timelines were not monitored while the process was being established. Data will be gathered over the next few months to provide indicative processing timelines. It is also worth noting that once the UK process has been completed, the US must then complete its own checks on the applicants prior to those entities being approved for membership of the AUC.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of General Data Protection Regulations on the training of armed forces personnel to use uncrewed systems.

The Department has policies and procedures in place to ensure that all its processes are compliant under Data Protection legislation and Ministry of Defence personnel are mandated to complete data protection training on an annual basis. This was most recently reviewed and updated in 2024. There have been no specific reports of GDPR restrictions affecting activities. Training regularly features drones as part of exercises. We are constantly experimenting with and embracing innovative technology, including in drone warfare.

Whether his Department plans to take steps to increase the uptake of UK companies applying to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is always seeking opportunities to encourage membership of the Authorised User Community (AUC) and has actively engaged in a wide range of outreach activities with industry. These outreach activities have included participating in webinars and in person workshops through the trade association ADS Group and related trade associations in the US and Australia, to increase awareness, as well as attending various export control events. These activities have been undertaken by the UK both individually and in collaboration with Australian and US counterparts, with multiple in person tri-partite briefings being held in each of the three countries. The most recent event supported by the MOD was a Webinar arranged by ADS Group entitled 'Update and Discussions on the Authorised User Community under AUKUS' at which over 250 companies registered to attend. The MOD will also be attending major trade shows such as DSEi, where this year there is an AUKUS pavilion.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43148 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, whether his Department has used artificial intelligence to support (a) routine operations and (b) policy work for operational matters.

The provision of support to routine operations by artificial intelligence (AI) is ambitious, safe and responsible, in line with the Dependable AI Joint Service Publication 936. All capabilities, whether AI-enabled or not, are developed and used in line with existing rigorous processes to ensure safety, effectiveness and lawfulness. Adherence to the rule of law is central to the Ministry of Defence’s approach to and its conduct of military operations. Any operation supported by AI is subject to the same applicable laws. Military commanders remain responsible for their decisions at all times, including where these are enabled by AI.

How many UK companies have been approved to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community exemption from the U.S. International Traffic in Arms regulations.

98 entities have been approved with 171 entities currently going through the approval process.

What steps he is taking to increase UK sovereign capability in small arms production.

Project GRAYBURN aims to replace the L85 family of rifles with a new weapon system fit for future warfare. This will be achieved in partnership with industry by growing UK sovereign manufacturing skills and infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence is committed to investing in our nation’s prosperity and supporting and developing our competitive industrial base through provision of education, skills and jobs. The Defence Industrial Strategy will articulate how best Defence can contribute to sovereign operational independence, including in the production of small arms.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 April to Question 43148 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, whether artificial intelligence has been used to support (a) routine operations and (b) policy in relation to nuclear capability.

The delivery of defence capabilities enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) will be ambitious, safe and responsible. Research to identify, understand, and mitigate against risks of applying AI for sensitive defence affairs is underway. Routine nuclear deterrence operations continue to be conducted in accordance with the highest standards and controls. Regardless of any potential application of artificial intelligence in our strategic systems, we will ensure human political control of our nuclear weapons is maintained at all times. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that I will not comment further on the details as to do so would prejudice the capability, security and effectiveness of the Armed Forces.

Whether UK sovereign capability will be considered in the procurement of a replacement for the SA80 rifle.

Project GRAYBURN aims to replace the L85 family of rifles with a new weapon system fit for future warfare. This will be achieved in partnership with industry by growing UK sovereign manufacturing skills and infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence is committed to investing in our nation’s prosperity and supporting and developing our competitive industrial base through provision of education, skills and jobs. The Defence Industrial Strategy will articulate how best Defence can contribute to sovereign operational independence, including in the production of small arms.

What recent progress he has made on implementing Project Grayburn.

I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave on 28 April 2025 to Question 45196. In alignment with the Land Industrial Strategy, recent analysis focussed on job creation in the UK manufacturing sector, project costs and the procurement thresholds necessary to encourage private investment from industry. I am withholding further detail relating to the conducted analysis due to reasons of commercial sensitivity.