Written questions by Francois.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the production of 12 additional Typhoon jets for Qatar on the defence supply chain.

Following the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence capabilities through broadening our cooperation on the Typhoon and Hawk partnerships. Any potential impacts on the defence supply chain will be fully considered, alongside industry, as our discussions with Qatar evolve.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16457 on Puma Helicopters, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of fulfilling the short-term capability gaps in (a) Cyprus and (b) Brunei prior to the entry of the H-145 platform into service in 2026; and how he plans to manage these costs within his Department's existing budget.

The Department is scoping a variety of options to fulfil the short-term capability gaps before H-145 enters service from 2026. A final decision is yet to be made on the specific capability solution; thus we are not yet able to disclose our proposed capability solution. Any incurred costs will be managed within current budgets to ensure the solutions provide maximum value for money.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether (a) assets and (b) staff of the Mauritian armed forces will be (i) proximately and (ii) co- located with (A) UK and (B) US personnel.

Our primary goal throughout negotiations was to protect the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional and international security.The operation of the base will continue unchanged with strong protections from malign influence. For the first time in over 50 years the base will be undisputed and legally secure.Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, what right of (a) access, (b) inspection and (c) veto the Mauritian Government will have to the Chagos base.

Our primary goal throughout negotiations was to protect the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional and international security.The operation of the base will continue unchanged with strong protections from malign influence. For the first time in over 50 years the base will be undisputed and legally secure.Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether the Mauritian government will have the right to allow (a) basing on, (b) occupancy of and (c) access to other BIOT islands by other (i) countries and (ii) organisations.

Our primary goal throughout negotiations was to protect the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional and international security. The operation of the base will continue unchanged with strong protections from malign influence. For the first time in over 50 years the base will be undisputed and legally secure. Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. We have full Mauritian backing for robust security arrangements, including preventing foreign armed forces from accessing or establishing themselves on the outer islands. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Whether his Department has imposed (a) financial penalties and (b) adjustments to contract terms with General Dynamics in relation to the delay of the MORPHEUS project within the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems programme.

The MORPHEUS Evolve to Open Transition Partner (EvO TP) contract with General Dynamics Missions Systems (UK) (GDMS(UK)), which was focused on evolving the proprietary Bowman system, was concluded in December 2023. Commercial confidentiality precludes providing the specific details of the arrangements made, however the Department can provide assurance that these arrangements have been verified by both HM Treasury and Cabinet Office as representing the best value for money approach for the taxpayer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16468 on LE TacCIS programme, what the cost is of the Morpheus communications programme as of 5 December 2024.

As of 5 December 2024, total expenditure for the MORPHEUS project is c£828 million.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether he Mauritian government may permit foreign direct investment into the Chagos islands.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16468 on LE TacCIS programme, what the reasons are for the delay in the Morpheus communications project.

The MORPHEUS project is delayed following contract delays in 2021.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16455 on Nuclear-free Zones: Treaties, whether talks between the UK and Mauritius covered the obligations of Mauritius under the Treaty of Pelindaba.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

How many staff at what grades are reviewing engagement with the EU through PESCO.

As part of the Cabinet Office-led UK-EU reset, teams in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are working closely with teams across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to work collaboratively to build our defence relationship with the EU including consultations on respective defence initiatives and defence industry matters, including advancing work towards a Security and Defence Partnership. There are currently no staff solely dedicated to reviewing engagement with the EU through PESCO. However, teams in MOD are working to assess PESCO as part of their broader remits to consider international cooperation and UK interests, including through work to develop a UK-EU Security Partnership.

How many (a) mentors and (b) experts support projects backed through the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic European Regional Office; and at what cost.

The UK is committed to supporting the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) programme to find and accelerate dual-use innovation capacity across the Alliance. Mentors and experts are engaged by HQ DIANA and not the Ministry of Defence (MOD). As the MOD was not directly involved in delivering the first cohort of the programme in 2024 we do not hold information on the numbers of mentors and assessors used. The MOD is taking part in the second cohort of the programme which has only just started and mentors and experts are yet to be assigned.

What his policy is on engagement with the (a) EU Single Intelligence and Analysis Capacity, (b) projected EU Rapid Deployment Capacity and (c) planned EU Military Planning and Conduct Capability.

We want a new geopolitical partnership with the EU that drives closer coordination and that complements our unshakable commitment to NATO, which will remain the foremost vehicle for European security. We want this new partnership to formalise our exchanges on a full range of Foreign policy and security issues, enhancing how we work together on international crisis response, strengthening joint work on multilateral and global issues, and building our defence relationship including consultations on respective defence initiatives and defence industry matters.

Whether his Department is holding discussions with (a) European and (b) EU counterparts on changes to binding PESCO commitments.

We continue to monitor how PESCO rules work in practice, in particular the extent to which they allow meaningful participation of non-EU NATO Allies. We will continue to encourage the EU and EU Member States to ensure that PESCO activity is complementary to NATO and supportive of meaningful third country participation in individual PESCO projects.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 October to Question 5333 on Defence: Procurement, what other projects which align with UK interests his Department is exploring on a project-by-project basis.

We want a new geopolitical partnership with the EU, that drives closer coordination and that complements our unshakeable commitment to NATO, which will remain the foremost vehicle for European security. We will continue to monitor EU defence initiatives and projects, in particular the extent to which they build capabilities that are required by NATO and allow meaningful participation of non-EU NATO Allies.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, what right of access to BIOT territorial waters will be permitted to third parties.

Our primary goal throughout negotiations was to protect the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional and international security. The operation of the base will continue unchanged with strong protections from malign influence. For the first time in over 50 years the base will be undisputed and legally secure. Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether the agreement covers the employment of third country nationals on the base on Diego Garcia.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether the agreement covers the employment of descendants of Chagos islanders on the base on Diego Garcia.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

What his policy is on legacy UK obligations arising from the triggering by an EU country of Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union.

Since leaving the EU, there are no legacy UK obligations to respond to a trigger of Article 42 (7). NATO is the cornerstone of European defence. NATO Article 5 is the ultimate guarantor of all Allies’ ability to live freely and build a secure, more prosperous future for their people. An armed attack against one Ally is considered an attack against all. This principle binds NATO’s members together in a spirit of solidarity, committing them to protect each other. Our commitment to Article 5 is real, strong, and unbreakable.

Whether Thales products used by his Department are directly implicated in the Serious Fraud Office investigation into suspected bribery and corruption at that company.

The Ministry of Defence expects all its suppliers to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing investigation.