Written questions by Francois.

What factors contributed to the Protector drone system's downgrade to a red rating in the IPA Annual Report 2023-24; what steps are being taken to mitigate significant cost increases and delays; and what the revised timeline is for the system's full operational capability.

The downgrade of Protector to a red rating was primarily driven by a delay to the approval of the Review Note, which is being considered as part of the ongoing Strategic Defence Review. There are no anticipated cost increases, and all costs captured within the Review Note remain extant. The Full Operational Capability timelines have not yet been agreed and will be detailed in a future Review Note.

What the expected Minimal Deployability Capability is for the E-7 Wedgetail.

The Wedgetail aircraft will be able to conduct operational tasking after entering service at Initial Operating Capability.Further details regarding the capability of Wedgetail are withheld as release would prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

What his planned timetable is for when the Ajax armoured vehicle will achieve initial operating capability.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 438 on 22 July 2024.

Whether his Department has received representations from small and medium-sized defence companies on challenges in obtaining insurance liability coverage.

The Ministry of Defence has been working closely with small and medium-sized defence companies to understand the difficulties they face. The Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, which was published in December 2024, recognised issues with regards to access to finance, including obtaining insurance liability coverage. The Department is consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, including defence suppliers and financial institutions, to assess the ways in which we can reduce barriers to investment and create a strong and resilient defence sector.

Whether his Department has received representations from small and medium-sized defence companies on difficulties in securing bank accounts.

The difficulties that smaller defence suppliers can have in accessing finance, including opening a bank account, have been raised with the Department and were recognised in the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent published in December 2024. Tackling barriers such as these to the growth of a better, more innovative and more resilient defence sector is a key aim of the Defence Industrial Strategy and we are consulting widely with stakeholders across the defence and financial services sectors to this end.

What steps he is taking with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) educational institutions to help ensure the safety of defence industry representatives at university recruitment events.

This Government fully supports defence companies and their personnel attending events in the higher education sector to demonstrate the benefits and opportunities of careers in the defence sector. They should be able to do so confident they will be safe and free from intimidation. Alongside my counterparts in the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Education I am working with the higher education sector to ensure appropriate measures are taken to support the safety of those attending such events.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential strategic risks to the UK's military base in Brunei of increasing Chinese influence in the region; and what steps his Department is taking to help mitigate potential security challenges arising from this influence.

His Majesty, the Sultan of Brunei, and the Prime Minister recently signed the five-yearly renewal of the Garrison Agreement in December 2024, which signals His Majesty the Sultan's wish to maintain the British presence in Brunei.This Government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to China. We will cooperate where we can. We will compete with and challenge China where we need to, to protect our national security and values. The UK remains committed to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific and we continue to work with regional partners to strengthen international legal frameworks and to enhance maritime security, including through capacity building and joint exercises.

How much his Department has spent on Semaglutide since 1 January 2024.

The Ministry of Defence has spent £49,900 on the drug semaglutide since the 1 Janurary 2024. Semaglutide is a diabetic medication used for the treatment of type two diabetes in military patients.

Whether he has plans to rename Royal Navy ships, in the context of the renaming of HMS Agincourt.

Potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy's Ships Names and Badges Committee who make suggestions based on historical information and civic affiliations. The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called “Achilles”. The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badges Committee, shared with Ministers and approved by His Majesty the King. As Minister for the Armed Forces, following approval by his Majesty the King, I issued Official Direction to implement the change. There will be a small cost (less than £1000) for the renewing of the Achilles badge. No other costs have been identified for the name change.

Whether his Department received representations on the potential merits of renaming HMS Achilles.

Potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy's Ships Names and Badges Committee who make suggestions based on historical information and civic affiliations. The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called “Achilles”. The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badges Committee, shared with Ministers and approved by His Majesty the King. As Minister for the Armed Forces, following approval by his Majesty the King, I issued Official Direction to implement the change. There will be a small cost (less than £1000) for the renewing of the Achilles badge. No other costs have been identified for the name change.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2025 to Question 25649 on Boeing E-7, what recent estimate she has made of when the E-7 Wedgetail will enter operational service.

The modification of the three E-7 Wedgetail aircraft continues at STS Aviation, Birmingham Airport, targeting an In-Service Date with the RAF in late 2025.

What the potential cost to the public purse was of renaming the new attack submarine from HMS Agincourt to HMS Achilles.

Potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy's Ships Names and Badges Committee who make suggestions based on historical information and civic affiliations. The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called “Achilles”. The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badges Committee, shared with Ministers and approved by His Majesty the King. As Minister for the Armed Forces, following approval by his Majesty the King, I issued Official Direction to implement the change. There will be a small cost (less than £1000) for the renewing of the Achilles badge. No other costs have been identified for the name change.

Whether his Department held consultations with (a) navy stakeholders and (b) Royal Navy representatives on the decision to rename the new attack submarine HMS Achilles.

Potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy's Ships Names and Badges Committee who make suggestions based on historical information and civic affiliations. The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called “Achilles”. The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badges Committee, shared with Ministers and approved by His Majesty the King. As Minister for the Armed Forces, following approval by his Majesty the King, I issued Official Direction to implement the change. There will be a small cost (less than £1000) for the renewing of the Achilles badge. No other costs have been identified for the name change.

Whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department were involved in discussions to rename HMS Agincourt.

Potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy's Ships Names and Badges Committee who make suggestions based on historical information and civic affiliations. The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called “Achilles”. The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badges Committee, shared with Ministers and approved by His Majesty the King. As Minister for the Armed Forces, following approval by his Majesty the King, I issued Official Direction to implement the change. There will be a small cost (less than £1000) for the renewing of the Achilles badge. No other costs have been identified for the name change.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2025 to Question 25651 on Boeing E-7, when he plans to complete the approval of the full business case for E7 Wedgetail.

The E-7 Full Business Case is being considered and a decision on approval will be made in due course.

What the estimated whole-life cost is of the E-7 Wedgetail programme.

The estimated whole life cost of the E-7 Wedgetail remains subject to approval of the Full Business Case.

Whether the E-7 Wedgetail is in operational service with the RAF.

The Wedgetail aircraft has yet to enter operational service.

How many radar units for the E-7 Wedgetail have been delivered to (a) Boeing and (b) the RAF by Northrop Grumman.

Three Multi-Role-Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radars have been delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) at the UK production facility.The remaining two MESA radars are in production with Northrop Grumman and will be delivered to the RAF in Summer 2025.

What the planned out of service date for the Royal Navy's Crowsnest AEW helicopter system is.

The CROWSNEST programme delivers the Royal Navy's Merlin Mark2 helicopter Airborne Surveillance and Control capability, which includes Airborne Early Warning. There has been no change to the current out of service date, and the planned retirement date remains 31 December 2029, as the capability was not extended in the 2021 Integrated Review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21267 on Defence: Procurement, when he plans full implementation of the NATO test across all his Department's procurement decisions.

Implementation work is ongoing and will conclude as soon as possible. The detail on metrics or evaluation remains under active consideration, but the work overall is being conducted under close oversight by the Permanent Secretary and Ministers, including through regular updates to the Defence Board. This will continue throughout, and after implementation, to ensure the process meets our objectives and remains effective.