Written questions by Francois.

How many people were employed in the UK Military Flying Training Systems Team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year from 2019 to 2024; and how many were employed on 10 March 2025.

The number of Full Time Equivalent Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) staff employed within the Military Flying Training Systems teams as at 31 March in each complete Financial Year since 2019 is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes. Financial YearMilitary Flying Training System2019-20164.772020-21162.812021-22171.832022-23180.122023-24167 The number of Full Time Equivalent DE&S staff employed within the Military Flying Training Systems teams as of 10 March 2025 is 130. This figure represents data taken from a resource planning dashboard used temporarily whilst the resource management software is reconfigured to reflect DE&S’ new Operating Model, and as such is not directly comparable with the figures in the table.

How many RAF personnel were awaiting flying training on 10 March 2025.

As of 3 March 2025, there were 35 RAF Aircrew who had completed their initial non-role specific RAF training and were awaiting commencement of formal flying training; consisting of 21 Officers and 14 Non-Commissioned Aircrew.

What the average wait time is for a training slot for RAF trainee pilots for (a) Typhoons, (b) F35s and (c) Hawk jets.

The average wait time for a training slot for RAF trainee pilots in Training Year 2024-25 has been: a. Six weeks for Typhoonb. 10 weeks for F35 Lightningc. Six weeks for Hawk T2

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of Tranche 1 Typhoon jets being repurposed for deployment in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence has assessed the relative merits and downsides of donating Typhoon Tranche 1 jets to Ukraine multiple times. In August 2023, Denmark and the Netherlands announced they would donate up to 61 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which is significantly greater than the number of Tranche 1 Typhoons in RAF service. As a result, and following detailed conversations with the Ukrainian Government, the UK has decided to focus on supporting the donation of European F-16s to Ukraine, by providing elementary flying training and English language training for technicians and pilots that will then operate F-16s.24 Ukrainian pilots have graduated from intensive Fast Jet Lead-in training under the guidance of Royal Air Force instructors. I attended the graduation of Ukrainian pilots trained by the UK last year and can tell the right hon. Member we should be very proud of our role training them, and proud of the brave individuals we train for supporting their freedom.

Whether any of the contracts for the three external reviewers conducting the Strategic Defence Review have been extended.

The external review team continue to support the delivery of this crucial piece of work. The Strategic Defence Review - which will be published in the Spring - will ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad, now and for the years to come.

Whether the proposed agreement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands contains a clause allowing other States to use the allocated electromagnetic spectrum in the British Indian Ocean Territory; and what steps his Department is taking to help prevent risks to the Automated Digital Network System 3.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. We routinely assess the range of potential threats to the operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.

What his timeline is for the delivery of the first Fleet Solid Support Ship.

On the current schedule, the first ship is expected to enter service by 2031 following extended first of class trials and equipment fits, however extensive work is being undertaken to understand the full impact on the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme following the recent takeover of Harland & Wolff by Navantia UK. This includes the impact on the in-service dates which are still being assessed and will be mitigated as far as possible.The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK on the future of the FSS programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure the programme's continued delivery. The FSS team are working with Navantia UK to complete the detailed contract change and it would be inappropriate to comment further due to commercial sensitivities.

What the cost increase has been for the Fleet Solid Support Ship contract since initial agreement.

On the current schedule, the first ship is expected to enter service by 2031 following extended first of class trials and equipment fits, however extensive work is being undertaken to understand the full impact on the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme following the recent takeover of Harland & Wolff by Navantia UK. This includes the impact on the in-service dates which are still being assessed and will be mitigated as far as possible.The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK on the future of the FSS programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure the programme's continued delivery. The FSS team are working with Navantia UK to complete the detailed contract change and it would be inappropriate to comment further due to commercial sensitivities.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential threat to Naval Support Facility, Diego Garcia from saboteurs.

We routinely assess the range of potential threats to the operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.

For what reason has the signature of the full business case for the E-7 Wedgetail programme been delayed.

The E7 Full Business Case is undergoing due consideration within the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) approvals process. The MOD operates a robust approvals process in accordance with HM Treasury's approvals control framework.

With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, what the total cost to the public purse will be of the UK defence budget in financial year (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27, (c) 2027-28 and (d) 2028-29.

This commitment will be funded by reductions in Overseas Development Aid to 0.3% of GNI and does not require the Government to change the spending envelope.HMT is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL, on 11 June 2025. The Defence Budget for financial year 2025-26 is £59.8 billion and was published in the Autumn Budget in October 2024.

What his planned timetable is for when RFA Fort Victoria will rejoin the active fleet.

RFA Fort Victoria is in a period of planned maintenance, which was delayed to prioritise higher priority outputs. We do not disclose the details of forward availability forecasts to preserve the operational security of the fleet, however I can confirm that she will be regenerated in accordance with defence requirements.

Whether any payments related to a Chagos Islands agreement will be funded from his Department's budget; and whether such payments will be front-loaded in the context of the Government’s commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027.

The terms of the treaty are still being finalised, once the treaty is finalised it will be put before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual way.

What the latest estimated IOC date is for what is now HMS Achilles .

Achilles, the final vessel, is at an advanced stage of build at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. The planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.

How many Type 26 frigates the his Department plans to order from BAE Systems; and whether this number is still subject to the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

The Strategic Defence Review will consider all Defence capability requirements in the context of current and future threats. The T26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver eight world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates. All ships are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.HMS Venturer will be the first in Class of the Type 31 and is scheduled to be In service and ready for operations by the end of the decade. All five Type 31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s.

What his planned timetable is to publish the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is well underway, and the Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Secretary of State for Defence. The Reviewers will make their final report in the Spring and the Defence Secretary will subsequently report to Parliament. The SDR will feed into the national security strategy which brings together the reviews already commissioned across Government.

How many Type 31 frigates his Department plans to order from Babcock; and whether this number is still subject to the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

The Strategic Defence Review will consider all Defence capability requirements in the context of current and future threats. The T26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver eight world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates. All ships are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.HMS Venturer will be the first in Class of the Type 31 and is scheduled to be In service and ready for operations by the end of the decade. All five Type 31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s.

What his planned timetable is for when the Crowsnest airbone early warning system will achieve Full Operating Capability.

The Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 Airborne Surveillance and Control helicopter, as delivered by the CROWSNEST programme, has been in service since March 2021. The Programme is in the final stages of delivery for Full Operating Capability - expected by 28 March 2025, which is within its approved date.

What the latest estimated IOC date is for the last of class of the Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy.

On current plans the construction of all eight Type 26 frigates is expected to be complete by the mid-2030s. HMS Glasgow's Initial Operating Capability date remains October 2028.

Whether he has plans to purchase additional E-7 Wedgetail aircrafts.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 25 July 2024 to Question UIN 432 to the hon. Member for North Durham (Luke Akehurst).