Written questions by Francois.

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).

Whether the agreement for Navantia UK to acquire Harland and Wolf will result in (a) delays and (b) cost increases for the Fleet Solid Support Ship contract.

The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK on the future of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure the programme's continued delivery, with a minimum of delay. The FSS team are working with Navantia UK to complete the contract change and we are unable to comment on the details due to commercial sensitivities. Extensive work is being undertaken to understand the full impact on the programme including the impact on the in-service dates, which is still being assessed and will be mitigated as far as possible.

What the total cost to the public purse is of the five multi-role electronically scanned array radars as part of the E-7 Wedgetail programme.

The cost of procurement for the Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar is approximately £60 million each, therefore approximately £300 million in total. In March 2021, a decision was taken to reduce the numbers of E-7 Wedgetail platforms from five to three. Parts from the radars originally planned for aircraft four and five will be retained for spares allowing a saving /offset of initial procurement and future sustainment requirements from the overall programme cost.

Whether the IOC for the new Type 26 frigate, HMS Glasgow, remains October 2028.

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.

What the current estimated IOC date is for the first Type 83 destroyer.

The Type 83 Destroyer will be the core of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme, which has commenced its concept phase. FADS will replace the UK's present Maritime Air Defence Capability vested in the Type 45 Destroyer Programme.

Whether he plans to sell any of the Type 26 frigates currently on order for the Royal Navy, to Norway.

The Ministry of Defence and the Department for Business and Trade are actively supporting the promotion of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship design to other navies around the world with similar requirements.

Whether he has had discussions with (a) the Chief Executive and (b) senior executives of Boeing on the E-7 Wedgetail programme.

Engagement with Boeing senior leadership continues with Ministers and wider Ministry of Defence leadership. The Secretary of State for Defence and I have held several engagements with senior Boeing representatives. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer of Defence Equipment and Support has regular meetings with his counterpart at Boeing Defence, Space & Security to discuss Wedgetail progress.

How many and what proportion of UK Regular Forces personnel were classified as (a) Medically Fully Deployable, (b) Medically Limited Deployable and (c) Medically Not Deployable as of 1 January 2025.

The table below presents the Medical Deployability Standard of UK Armed Forces personnel, broken down by Service, as at 1 January 2025. Medically Fully Deployable (MFD)Medically Limited Deployable (MLD)Medically Not Deployable (MND) n%n%n%All99,16278.1%14,36111.3%13,50310.6%Royal Navy17,85879.9%1,9948.9%2,49511.2%Royal Marines4,98987.0%3566.2%3896.8%Army54,69576.9%9,47813.3%6,9739.8%RAF21,62077.8%2,5339.1%3,64613.1%Source: DMICP & JPA.1. MDS was missing for 10 personnel.2.The figures provided are for full time trained (Royal Navy and RAF)/trade trained (army) and serving againstrequirement personnel in service.3. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to MDS being missing for a small number of personnel. Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available. Personnel graded as Medically Non-Deployable are not fit to deploy on Operations; however, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded Medically Non-Deployable may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities. This new Government is committed to providing world-class medical treatment to ensure personnel can return to duty where possible, or to support their transition to civilian life.

What discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the sale of (a) HMS Albion and (b) HMS Bulwark; and what the estimated market value of each vessel was at the time of decommissioning.

Due to commercial sensitivities, we are unable to disclose progress regarding the sale of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark.

How many and what proportion of Army personnel were classified as (a) Medically Fully Deployable, (b) Medically Limited Deployable and (c) Medically Not Deployable as of 1 January 2025.

The table below presents the Medical Deployability Standard of UK Armed Forces personnel, broken down by Service, as at 1 January 2025. Medically Fully Deployable (MFD)Medically Limited Deployable (MLD)Medically Not Deployable (MND) n%n%n%All99,16278.1%14,36111.3%13,50310.6%Royal Navy17,85879.9%1,9948.9%2,49511.2%Royal Marines4,98987.0%3566.2%3896.8%Army54,69576.9%9,47813.3%6,9739.8%RAF21,62077.8%2,5339.1%3,64613.1%Source: DMICP & JPA.1. MDS was missing for 10 personnel.2.The figures provided are for full time trained (Royal Navy and RAF)/trade trained (army) and serving againstrequirement personnel in service.3. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to MDS being missing for a small number of personnel. Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available. Personnel graded as Medically Non-Deployable are not fit to deploy on Operations; however, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded Medically Non-Deployable may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities. This new Government is committed to providing world-class medical treatment to ensure personnel can return to duty where possible, or to support their transition to civilian life.

How many and what proportion of Royal Air Force personnel were classified as (a) Medically Fully Deployable, (b) Medically Limited Deployable and (c) Medically Not Deployable as of 1 January 2025.

The table below presents the Medical Deployability Standard of UK Armed Forces personnel, broken down by Service, as at 1 January 2025. Medically Fully Deployable (MFD)Medically Limited Deployable (MLD)Medically Not Deployable (MND) n%n%n%All99,16278.1%14,36111.3%13,50310.6%Royal Navy17,85879.9%1,9948.9%2,49511.2%Royal Marines4,98987.0%3566.2%3896.8%Army54,69576.9%9,47813.3%6,9739.8%RAF21,62077.8%2,5339.1%3,64613.1%Source: DMICP & JPA.1. MDS was missing for 10 personnel.2.The figures provided are for full time trained (Royal Navy and RAF)/trade trained (army) and serving againstrequirement personnel in service.3. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to MDS being missing for a small number of personnel. Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available. Personnel graded as Medically Non-Deployable are not fit to deploy on Operations; however, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded Medically Non-Deployable may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities. This new Government is committed to providing world-class medical treatment to ensure personnel can return to duty where possible, or to support their transition to civilian life.

How many and what proportion of (a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Marines personnel were classified as (i) Medically Fully Deployable, (ii) Medically Limited Deployable and (iii) Medically Not Deployable as of 1 January 2025.

The table below presents the Medical Deployability Standard of UK Armed Forces personnel, broken down by Service, as at 1 January 2025. Medically Fully Deployable (MFD)Medically Limited Deployable (MLD)Medically Not Deployable (MND) n%n%n%All99,16278.1%14,36111.3%13,50310.6%Royal Navy17,85879.9%1,9948.9%2,49511.2%Royal Marines4,98987.0%3566.2%3896.8%Army54,69576.9%9,47813.3%6,9739.8%RAF21,62077.8%2,5339.1%3,64613.1%Source: DMICP & JPA.1. MDS was missing for 10 personnel.2.The figures provided are for full time trained (Royal Navy and RAF)/trade trained (army) and serving againstrequirement personnel in service.3. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to MDS being missing for a small number of personnel. Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available. Personnel graded as Medically Non-Deployable are not fit to deploy on Operations; however, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded Medically Non-Deployable may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities. This new Government is committed to providing world-class medical treatment to ensure personnel can return to duty where possible, or to support their transition to civilian life.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of decommissioning HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark on the UK’s amphibious warfare capability; and whether a replacement capability will be procured before their disposal.

HMS Albion and Bulwark have been alongside since 2023 and 2017 respectively with no plans for them to return to sea before their out of service dates. Amphibious operations will continue to delivered by the Bay Class and RFA Argus until the introduction of the Multi Role Support Ship, which will succeed the amphibious fleet in the 2030s.

Whether it remains his policy to implement the Multi-Role Support Ship programme; and what the timeline is for (a) its development and (b) the procurement of vessels.

The Multi-Role Support Ship programme is progressing through the Concept Phase. The Royal Navy and Defence Equipment & Support are conducting detailed work on key user requirements, conceptual designs, affordability, and exportability assessments. Alongside other shipbuilding programmes, they are maintaining engagement with all leading UK shipbuilding entities and the National Shipbuilding Office on the best commercial approach to deliver for the Navy and the Nation. The Outline Business Case is due for submission mid-2025 which will detail the schedule for future contract award milestones.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the UK’s declaration on Article 298 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the jurisdiction of (a) the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and (b) an arbitral tribunal under Annex VII of UNCLOS on UK (i) military and (ii) law enforcement activities.

By Declaration dated 12 January 1998, the UK chose the International Court of Justice for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of UNCLOS. By Declaration dated 7 April 2003 the UK exercised the right to exclude from compulsory dispute settlement procedures in UNCLOS "disputes concerning military activities, including military activities by government vessels and aircraft engaged in non-commercial service and disputes concerning law enforcement activities in regard to the exercise of sovereign rights and jurisdiction excluded from the jurisdiction of a court or tribunal under article 297 paragraph 2 or 3". Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 297 address disputes related to marine scientific research and fisheries respectively.While these exclusions remain in place, they do not prevent all possible legal challenges. It is worth noting that in the event that parties to a dispute concerning the interpretation or application of UNCLOS have chosen different procedures for the settlement of disputes, the dispute must be submitted to an arbitral tribunal unless the parties otherwise agree. Such rulings are binding on the parties.