Written questions by Francois.

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.

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.

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 Boxer programme.

The Senior Responsible Officer for the Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme is Martyn Williams, as published in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Government Major Projects Portfolio transparency data. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nista-annual-report-2024-2025

Whether his Department's outgoing National Armaments Director was paid a bonus or departure payment on leaving his post.

The previous National Armaments Director (NAD) was the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) CEO Andy Start, now Deputy NAD. All previous remuneration for Mr Start since joining the Department in September 2022 is declared in the DE&S Annual Report and Accounts. This includes the following Performance Awards:Financial YearValue of Performance Award (£000)2024-25160-1652023-24165-1702022-2390-95 (prorated)To date Mr Start has only ever received remuneration based upon his DE&S CEO contract of employment and no other bonuses have been paid to Mr Start whilst in the Department’s employ. No bonus or departure payment was made to Mr Start when he relinquished the role of NAD in October 2025.

Whether the previous National Armaments Director was paid any performance or other bonuses within the last five years.

The previous National Armaments Director (NAD) was the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) CEO Andy Start, now Deputy NAD. All previous remuneration for Mr Start since joining the Department in September 2022 is declared in the DE&S Annual Report and Accounts. This includes the following Performance Awards:Financial YearValue of Performance Award (£000)2024-25160-1652023-24165-1702022-2390-95 (prorated)To date Mr Start has only ever received remuneration based upon his DE&S CEO contract of employment and no other bonuses have been paid to Mr Start whilst in the Department’s employ. No bonus or departure payment was made to Mr Start when he relinquished the role of NAD in October 2025.

How many alternative sites are currently being assessed by his Department to accommodate the Crowborough cadets, following their proposed displacement from Crowborough Training Camp, 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.

Which official, team, or directorate within his Department is responsible for identifying a new training location for the Crowborough cadets, now that Crowborough Training Camp has been 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.

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 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 is the salary band of the current Ajax SRO; and whether this has been supplemented by a performance or other bonus within the part three years.

Information regarding paybands for Army Command Senior Civil Servants can be found at the following link: Army staff roles and salaries

Whether he has ever sought legal advice from the Treasury Solicitor's Department on Ajax.

I can confirm that legal advice has been sought from the Government Legal Department on Ajax.

Whether he has had discussions with General Dynamics on suing that company for liquidated damages relating to the Ajax programme.

It would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the ongoing investigations or to comment further at this stage. The investigations must be given adequate time to identify the root cause of the issue.

Whether he has considered inviting the Institute of Naval Medicine to investigate the reasons why medical issues arose during the Ajax-related exercise on Salisbury Plain on 22 November 2025.

As I mentioned in my answer to the Shadow Defence Secretary during the Urgent Question on 8 December 2025, the Department is assembling a group of industry experts to provide external advice to its lines of investigation.

What the estimated IOC date is for the Boxer armoured vehicle.

The updated Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme Initial Operating Capability date will be published shortly.

Whether his Department has carried out an evaluation of the potential merits of purchasing the CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle.

The Ministry of Defence continually assesses its current and planned capabilities to ensure that it is appropriately equipped to face any adversary. The CV90 was one of the vehicles considered during the competition for the Scout Specialist Vehicle. An evaluation has not occurred since the Ajax contract was awarded.