Written questions by Francois.

Whether he has received a request from the Defence Select Committee to provide information relating to the Ajax programme over the last twelve months.

During the most recent oral evidence session on the AUKUS inquiry, held on 2 December 2025, the Chair of the Defence Committee asked the Department to share with them the advice given by the Chief of the General Staff and the National Armaments Director regarding the safety of the Ajax programme. The Committee also requested details of the outcomes from the ongoing safety investigations into Ajax. I have agreed to provide as much detail as possible to the Committee on conclusion of the investigations, but this will be subject to the need to protect any commercially sensitive material.

Whether the National Armaments Director was consulted prior to the decision to declare IOC for Ajax.

As safety is the top priority of the Ministerial Team, prior to Initial Operating Capability, I asked for and was given assurances in writing by senior Ministry of Defence personnel that the system was safe, including the National Armaments Director.

Who the most senior legal official is in his Department.

There are four senior legal officials in Defence. The highest-ranking legal advisers are: Director Army Legal Services (Major General) Director Legal Services, Royal Air Force (Air Vice Marshal) Director Legal for the Royal Navy (Commodore)Director MOD Legal Advisers (Civil Service Director, SCS2)

On which date Initial Operating Capability for Ajax was declared; and who signed that declaration.

Initial Operating Capability for Ajax was declared on 5 November 2025. As safety of our personnel is the top priority of the Ministerial Team, prior to Initial Operating Capability, I asked for and was given assurances in writing by senior Ministry of Defence personnel, including the then National Armaments Director and the Chief of the General Staff, that the system was safe.

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.

How much his Department has paid to General Dynamics on the Bowman Evolve to Operate programme in the last five years.

The total contract value for the MORPHEUS Evolve to Open Transition Partner contract was £395 million. Due to the confidentiality provisions in the contract protecting commercial interests, we are unable to provide further detail.

When the Scimitar reconnaissance vehicle was retired from Army service.

All Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) variants, including the FV107 Scimitar, were officially retired from Army service under the last Government on 31 March 2023.

What the estimated IOC date is for the Boxer RCH155mm self-propelled artillery system; and how many such vehicles his Department plans to buy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 November to Question 88294, which remains extant. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-05/88294

What is the total target for efficiency savings in his Department for a) Financial Year 2025-26 b) Financial Year 2026-27 and c) Financial Year 2027-28.

Following the Spending Review in June all Departments, including the Ministry of Defence (MOD), are required to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028‑29. Further details can be found in the Spending Review, published on 11 June.The Autumn Budget introduced a further 2028-29 0.5% RDEL efficiencies and savings target. However, Defence has been allowed to retain and reinvest the savings to protect national security.The MOD will publish a Defence Reform and Efficiency Plan, which will provide further detail on the range of reforms across the MOD that will deliver these efficiencies.

What the salary bill was for Defence Equipment and Support in 2024-25.

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) salary information is detailed in the DE&S Annual Report and Accounts (ARAC), which is published annually on the GOV.UK website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-equipment-support-annual-report-and-accounts-2024-to-2025The total salary costs for 2024-25 were £583 million, as noted on page 94 of the 2024-25 ARAC.

When he now intends to publish the Defence Investment Plan.

We are working flat out between now and the end of the year to finalise the Defence Investment Plan. I am sure the Hon. Gentleman will appreciate the scale of the decisions that we need to make. He will also appreciate the scale of the problems that we face, including those to do with a programme of the last Government’s that over-committed, and was underfunded and unsuited to meeting the threats that we will face in the future.

Whether any performance bonuses relating to the Ajax programme have been paid to officials in his Department over the last three years.

This information is not held centrally and therefore can not be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

How many Warrior armoured fighting vehicles are a) in active service with the Army and b) in storage by variant.

I hope the right hon. Member will understand that we do not routinely disclose figures relating to vehicles in the active fleet or storage in the interests of security and operational effectiveness. I can, however, confirm that as at 12 January 2026, there are 581 Warrior vehicles in-service with the British Army.

How many Ajax armoured vehicles had been delivered by General Dynamics to a) his Department and b) the Army as of 1 November 2025.

As of 1 November 2025: 166 Capability Drop 3 platforms were accepted by the Ministry of Defence and 156 of these were delivered to the Army.

What the latest estimated date is for achieving Full Operating Capability on Ajax.

Safety investigations and a Ministerial Review into the Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) remain ongoing. However, on current plans, Full Operating Capability for the Armoured Cavalry Programme is still expected to be achieved by the end of 2029.

What bonuses were paid to the Ajax team at Defence Equipment and Support over the past 5 years.

Due to Defence Equipment and Support's flexible resourcing model, performance awards would have been made on an individual basis and as a result of overall organisational performance, rather than solely on the outcomes of a specific programme.

If he will list the names of those who have held the post of Ajax's Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), or the equivalent position, since 2015.

The list of individuals who have held the role of Senior Responsible Officer for the Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) are listed below. Date in postOccupantNovember 2023 – PresentMr Chris BowbrickOctober 2021 – November 2023Dr David MarshApril 2019 – August 2021Lieutenant General Simon HamiltonNovember 2015 – April 2019Major General Mark Gaunt

If he will publish all documents provided by the current Senior Reporting Office regarding Ajax’s safety.

The Senior Reporting Officer regularly provides updates to Defence Ministers on the programme. However, this Government, and the last Government, do not routinely release information provided from officials to ministers. But I can assure the Hon Gentleman that Before declaring Initial Operating Capability, I received written assurances from CGS and the acting NAD that the vehicle was safe to operate. Within the letter note AJAX the vehicle was described as ‘demonstrably safe to operate”. When concerns were raised in the summer, an independent Army investigation confirmed the vehicle was fit for purpose and operating well within Health and Safety Executive limits for noise and vibration.

If he will publish a national strategy for palliative and end of life care.

The Government is developing a Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework for England. I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement HCWS1087, which I gave to the House on 24 November 2025.