Written questions by Francois.

Whether he has considered gifting Watchkeeper to Ukraine.

The UK and partners will continue to ensure we equip Ukraine as best we can to defend its sovereign territory and ensure it is in a position of strength for any peace negotiations. Since Watchkeeper Mk1 entered service in 2010, drone technology has evolved at remarkable pace, driven by the extensive use of unmanned systems in the war in Ukraine. The Department has therefore prioritised this effort on more cost-effective drones that deliver comparable capability and can operate in the most demanding environments.

Pursuant to his recent WMS on Ajax of 22 January 2026, whether the current or former National Armament Director advised him that Ajax was safe to enter operational service.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 17 December 2025 to Question 98361 which remains extant.

What is the total budget now allocated for the Watchkeeper RPV, between November 2024 (the previously announced cancellation date) and March 2027.

With the retirement of Watchkeeper Mk 1, the Army will transition rapidly to a new, advanced system that draws on the latest operational lessons and technological innovations. The total budget allocated over the period November 2024 to March 2027 for the Watchkeeper Remotely Piloted Vehicle is £115.886 million.

What is the latest estimated in-service date for Project Corvus, the planned replacement for the Watchkeeper RPV.

With the retirement of Watchkeeper Mk 1, the Army will transition rapidly to a new, advanced system that draws on the latest operational lessons and technological innovations. On current plans, Project CORVUS is scheduled to be delivered in November 2026, in advance of the Watchkeeper Out of Service Date of March 2027.

What is the status of the proposed P4E electronic upgrade for the RAF's Typhoon fleet.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 November 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) to Question 92198.

If he will give the latest estimated in-service date for HMS Belfast.

The T26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver eight world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates to replace the anti-submarine warfare T23s. All ships are expected to enter service from the late 2020s with the added advantage of working alongside up to six identical Royal Norwegian Navy vessels. Type 26 Frigates will allow the Royal Navy to continue to play a leading role in the anti-submarine theatre of the North Atlantic, providing a crucial output to both NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force.

What is the latest estimated in service date for the RCH 155 artillery system with the British Army.

The Mobile Fires Platform Project, which will deliver the Remote‑Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) wheeled artillery system, remains in its assessment phase and is subject to contract. It is therefore too early to confirm expected in‑service dates. Good progress is being made through the joint UK–Germany Early Concept Demonstrator contract, which will enable shared trials and evaluation. Assessment and demonstration activities will run concurrently to accelerate delivery and achieve a Minimum Deployable Capability within this decade.

What is the latest estimated in-service date for HMS Venturer.

The first Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer is scheduled to be ready for operations by the end of the decade.

Whether he plans to allocate one of the eight Type 26 frigates currently intended for the Royal Navy to Norway.

Working together with our Norwegian Partners we are assessing options for offering Type 26 build slots currently allocated to the Royal Navy to the Royal Norwegian Navy.The Royal Navy will receive all eight Type 26 ships during the late 2020s and 2030s as planned. Norway's biggest ever defence procurement deal will see a combined fleet of 13 Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates - eight British and at least five Norwegian - operate jointly in Northern Europe, significantly strengthening NATO's northern flank.

What Chris Bowbrick's current role is.

It is usual Ministry of Defence policy not to comment on the individual HR status of individual employees. I provided an update to the House saying that the Ajax SRO was no longer in his current role. Given the situation it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Which Department or organisation will be responsible for meeting the costs associated with securing and preparing a new site for the Crowborough cadets, now that Crowborough Training Camp has ben earmarked to accommodate asylum seekers.

An alternative temporary venue in Crowborough to deliver weeknight training has been identified by the Army Cadet Force. Its suitability is being reviewed by the Royal Navy Cadet Force and Royal Air Force Air Cadets. The Ministry of Defence continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces and future activities, and to develop any necessary mitigating actions. We have been clear that our priority remains ensuring these developments have limited impact on our Cadets, and we will always apply the appropriate safeguarding measures so that Cadet programmes can continue to be delivered.

When he next expects to provide either an Oral or Written statement to Parliament on the progress of the Ajax programme.

I released a second written ministerial statement (WMS) regarding the Ajax programme on 18 December 2025. In a line with this WMS, I confirm that I will provide further updates to the House in due course.

When he last met his US counterpart to discuss the progress of the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail programme.

The Secretary of State for Defence regularly speaks with his US counterpart to discuss critical bilateral topics. Defence ministers, service chiefs, and officials frequently engage with their US counterparts on the E-7 programme. Most recently, the Chief of the Air Staff discussed it with his US counterpart in November 2025.

Who manufactures the command system for the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft.

The command system onboard Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, referred to as the Mission System, is primarily manufactured and integrated by Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

What legal actions his Department has sought to initiate for liquidated damages from contractors in the last five years, broken down by a) project name, b) original contract value and c) sums recovered by his Department.

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

Who is the current SRO for the Le TACSIS programme.

The current Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) of the Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information Systems (LETacCIS) Programme is Major General Mark Purves.

What the largest sum ever recovered by his Department is following a successful legal action for liquidated damages against a contractor; and for which programme this applied.

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

What the total estimated a) acquisition cost and b) through life cost is of the Boxer programme.

As published in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25 data. The initial acquisition cost for the contracted Mechanised Infantry Boxer vehicles is £3.1 billion. The forecast whole life cost for the Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme, covering wider Defence Lines of Development such as support and potential capability uplifts, is £7 billion. https://www.gov.uk/csv-preview/6895fbb63080e72710b2e2ef/nista_annual_report_data_2425.csv

What his Department's definition is of liquidated damages.

The Department's definition of liquidated damages is a pre-agreed sum to compensate for the financial loss that arises from the contractor’s failure to perform their contractual obligations.

If he will name the officers or officials in the current DE&S Ajax Reporting chain at (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3 and (d) 4 star level.

The key officials in the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Ajax Reporting Chain are as follows: 1* - Head Combat Vehicles, Simon Pearson2* - Director Land Environment, Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies3* - Director General Core, Lieutenant General Anna-Lee Reilly3* - DE&S CEO, Lieutenant General Simon Hamilton4* - National Armaments Director, Rupert Pearce The 2* Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) is Chris Bowbrick, who sits within Army HQ, not DE&S.