Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Akehurst this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 101–115 of 115 · Ministry of Defence
With reference to his speech delivered at the ADS Annual Dinner on 28 January 2025, what progress he has made on the Wasp system.
The Wasp system is a new uncrewed maritime system, which has been rapidly developed specifically to support Ukraine. The system is currently undergoing final testing and further details will be set out in due course.
With reference to his speech delivered at the ADS Annual Dinner on 28 January 2025, what progress he has made on the Gravehawk system.
The Gravehawk system is a rapidly developed bespoke air defence system, jointly funded by the UK and Denmark. This innovative system, which is able to retrofit air-air missiles for ground-based air defence, can use Ukrainian missiles already in their armed forces' possession. With Ukraine under constant Russian bombardment, the Gravehawk system will boost Ukraine's air defences, allowing them to defend their cities, troops and critical infrastructure. Two prototypes of the air defence capability system were tested in Ukraine in September 2024, and a further 15 will follow this year.
How many (a) Surface to Air Missile Centre command and control systems, (b) Giraffe Agile Multibeam radars and (c) Land Ceptor launcher and missile systems comprising the Sky Sabre system are deployed in (i) the UK (ii) Poland and (iii) the Falklands.
We do not routinely disclose the locations or numbers of these platforms in the interests of security and operational effectiveness.
How much his Department has spent on integrated air and missile defence in each financial year since 2010.
Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) is cross-government, multi-layered approach, utilising a wide range of advanced capabilities alongside our Allies as an international effort. There has been wide-ranging investment across the full range of IAMD capabilities since 2010, including the Sky Sabre air defence system. However, with this multi-layered, international approach, detailed investment costings for all IAMD capabilities over a fourteen year period are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
When he expects Challenger 3 to be deployed to Estonia.
As announced by the Secretary of State for Defence, the British Army will deploy Challenger 3 tanks to NATO’s eastern border along with armoured vehicles in future years. However, details relating to the fielding plan for Challenger 3 are yet to be confirmed.
What progress has been made on establishing an integrated air and missile defence system for the UK.
Air and missile defence is a 24/7, cross-Government and international effort. We take a layered approach to air and missile defence deploying a wide range of advanced capabilities alongside our Allies. Without pre-determining the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), threats from missiles and drones are advancing and proliferating, and we will explore options to enhance our preparedness for these threats as part of the SDR.
What his (a) planned timetable and (b) key milestones for success are for the DIAMOND initiative.
In October the UK signed a letter of intent on DIAMOND (Delivering Integrated Air and Missile Operational Networked Defences) alongside six Allies: France, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Poland and Sweden. We are working with these countries to agree the timetable for actions. A priority for the UK is making greater use of training and exercises opportunities, such as Exercise Formidable Shield in May 2025.
How much funding his Department has (a) allocated to and (b) spent on the air protection laser self-protection system.
Defence is working with several industry partners to generate a UK Defensive Aids Suite in order to provide Air Platform Protection for all three services. Under the banner of Team Pellonia, working with Thales, Leonardo, and Chemring Countermeasures, Air Command, supported by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is cohering activity to generate and deliver a future suite of air platform protection measures, of which a laser self-protection system is one component. Supported by research funding from various areas within The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and now a Defence Equipment and Supply (DE&S) Programme, successful trials involving scientists from Dstl and Industry Partners on the Air Protection Laser Self-Protection System offer an example of joint working between the MOD and the UK Defence Industry. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.
How much funding has been allocated to the European Long-range Strike Approach programme.
The European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) is a multinational framework. Participating nations will consider capability cooperation programmes under the ELSA framework, to be funded on a case-by-case basis. The outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review will determine the UK's future programme choices.
Pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2024 to Question 444, what recent progress his Department has made on the New Medium Helicopter programme.
The second stage of the New Medium Helicopter competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. Only Leonardo Helicopters UK elected to submit a tender. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process needs to complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed.
How many flying hours the Chinook fleet carried out in each of the last five years.
The below table shows the recorded flying hours for the Chinook Fleet.Year Chinook Flying Hours2019-2095812020-219734.72021-229283.82022-239055.22023-248027.1Source: Joint Aviation Command
How many F-35B aircraft he expects his Department to have taken delivery of by the end of 2024.
Against the current schedule, it is projected that by end of calendar year 2024, the UK will have taken ownership of 37 F-35B aircraft.
How many aircraft will be procured through the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme.
The second stage of the New Medium Helicopter competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. Only Leonardo Helicopters UK elected to submit a tender. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process needs to complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) remains a key component of international export control efforts. The Ministry of Defence continually assesses its effectiveness to ensure it continues to adapt to emerging technological developments in order to remain a relevant non-proliferation tool that strengthens international efforts to combat missile proliferation and frustrate attempts to deploy weapons of mass destruction.
What the status is of the New Medium Helicopter programme.
The second stage New Medium Helicopter (NMH) competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate and the tender returns are due back on 30 August 2024.