Ministry of Defence
We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Defence)
Conservative
James Cartlidge (Con - South Suffolk)Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Scottish National Party
Dave Doogan (SNP - Angus and Perthshire Glens)Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Defence)
Green Party
Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire)Green Spokesperson (Defence)
Liberal Democrat
James MacCleary (LD - Lewes)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Baroness Goldie (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Defence)
Earl of Minto (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Mark Francois (Con - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Ministers of State
Lord Coaker (Lab - Life peer)Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Al Carns (Lab - Birmingham Selly Oak)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Luke Pollard (LAB - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Louise Sandher-Jones (Lab - North East Derbyshire)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
This inquiry will examine the circumstances behind and the consequences of a major data breach in February 2022 from the …
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Armed forces to launch …
The Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025 (c. 23) (“AFCA 25”) amended the Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52) (“AFA 06”) …
A Bill to continue the Armed Forces Act 2006; to amend that Act and other enactments relating to the armed …
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News and Communications
Ministry of Defence Commons Appearances
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Bills currently before Parliament
Ministry of Defence does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
A Bill to establish, and confer functions on, the Armed Forces Commissioner; to abolish the office of Service Complaints Ombudsman; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd September 2025 and was enacted into law.
Ministry of Defence - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
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Departmental Select Committee
Defence Committee
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
11 Members of the Defence Committee
Defence Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee: Upcoming Events
Afghan Data Breach and Resettlement Schemes
20 Jan 2026, 9:30 a.m.
At 10:15am: Oral evidence
Rt Hon Sir Ben Wallace, former Secretary of State for Defence
At 11:00am: Oral evidence
Rt Hon James Heappey, former Minister of State for the Armed Forces
At 11:45am: Oral evidence
Rt Hon Sir Grant Shapps, former Secretary of State for Defence
View calendar - Save to Calendar
Defence Committee - Oral evidence
The work of the Secretary of State for Defence
27 Jan 2026, 1:30 p.m.
At 2:00pm: Oral evidence
Rt Hon John Healey - Secretary of State at Ministry of Defence
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Defence Committee: 24 Current Inquiries
Defence Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) will offer new opportunities to experience military service through a new scheme set to launch in early 2026. The lessons of the first cohort (Tranche 1) will inform future practices for the Scheme. The first participants will be apportioned at 20 each for Royal Navy and Royal Air Force respectively with the Army offering the remainder (110). The ambition remains that the scheme will expand to over 1,000 participants subject to interest. We will be setting out further details in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) will offer new opportunities to experience military service through a new scheme set to launch in early 2026. The lessons of the first cohort (Tranche 1) will inform future practices for the Scheme. The first participants will be apportioned at 20 each for Royal Navy and Royal Air Force respectively with the Army offering the remainder (110). The ambition remains that the scheme will expand to over 1,000 participants subject to interest. We will be setting out further details in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) will offer new opportunities to experience military service through a new scheme set to launch in early 2026. The lessons of the first cohort (Tranche 1) will inform future practices for the Scheme. The first participants will be apportioned at 20 each for Royal Navy and Royal Air Force respectively with the Army offering the remainder (110). The ambition remains that the scheme will expand to over 1,000 participants subject to interest. We will be setting out further details in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) will offer new opportunities to experience military service through a new scheme set to launch in early 2026. The lessons of the first cohort (Tranche 1) will inform future practices for the Scheme. The first participants will be apportioned at 20 each for Royal Navy and Royal Air Force respectively with the Army offering the remainder (110). The ambition remains that the scheme will expand to over 1,000 participants subject to interest. We will be setting out further details in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) will offer new opportunities to experience military service through a new scheme set to launch in early 2026. The lessons of the first cohort (Tranche 1) will inform future practices for the Scheme. The first participants will be apportioned at 20 each for Royal Navy and Royal Air Force respectively with the Army offering the remainder (110). The ambition remains that the scheme will expand to over 1,000 participants subject to interest. We will be setting out further details in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) works closely with partners across Government on a range of Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) issues. The Home Office is responsible for C-UAS policy and strategy in the Homeland during peacetime. During wartime, C-UAS policy falls under the Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) framework, which the MOD is responsible for. The process of providing Military Aid to the Civil Authority (MACA) is well established and ensures a robust framework under which Defence capabilities may be used to support Other Government Departments.
In terms of legislation, work is underway to develop a suitable legislative framework that will enable Defence personnel to operate authorised equipment to protect critical Defence property and activities from the threat of UAS.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK is a NATO ally and participant in the NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINAMDS) a network of interconnected national and NATO systems comprising sensors, command and control facilities, and weapon systems. This system allows the UK to exchange information with Allied nations on a reciprocal basis, to improve sensor coverage and reaction times across the Alliance. Although there are no formal agreements for the provision of effectors of allied nations to be used to defend the UK homeland. NATO has the ability to position assigned or apportioned ground-based air defence effectors in response to emerging threats.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan will set out how the Department will allocate spending over the next 10 years, ensuring that resources are directed effectively to meet our priorities. It is vital that these decisions are carefully considered so that the Department gets these decisions right. We are working hard to finalise the plan, and it will be published at the earliest opportunity once it is ready.
As he will recall from his time as the Defence Procurement Minister 47 of 89 major defence programmes were left overbudget and delayed when the general election occurred. We are taking the time to address these and move to warfighting readiness.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Armed Forces already provide several opportunities to support tertiary education both before service and while serving. These include bursaries, sponsored degree study, in-service degrees and Learning Credits to offset the cost of undergraduate and postgraduate study. These schemes ensure that personnel are supported in gaining valuable qualifications and skills benefiting not only the individual, but also enhancing operational capability.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
UK Regular Armed Forces intake is now greater than outflow at the Tri-Service level and strength has remained stable. We are pleased to be reversing the trend of decline, with more people joining our Armed Forces than leaving for the first time in four years. The evidential basis for this has come from the latest Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics, published on 1 October 2025.
The statistics show that in the past 12 months (1 October 2024 - 30 September 2025), 14,100 people joined the Regular Armed Forces, an increase of 1,650 (13 per cent) compared with the previous 12-month period. In the same period, 13,860 people left the Regular Armed Forces a decrease of 1,220 (8 per cent) compared with the previous 12-month period.
This information can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2025/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-1-october-2025.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
There are approximately 11,000 United States Visiting Force (USVF) members in the UK at various defence sites, excluding family members and defence civilian personnel and contractors. In the interests of personnel security, I will not currently share specific numbers of USVF personnel at each individual site.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Government has committed to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next Parliament, subject to fiscal and economic conditions, and will be considered at the next Spending Review in 2027. The commitment to spend 3.5% by 2035 will be reviewed by NATO Allies in 2029.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
To obtain the information required to answer the hon. Member’s question in full would incur disproportionate costs due to the amount of data that would need to be obtained.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence paid General Dynamics Land Systems UK £330 million in line with contractual obligations for the Ajax programme between 1 January 2025 and 12 January 2026. I am unable to publish details of the milestones and payment schedule as this may prejudice the Department's commercial interests.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
JEF nations meet regularly in various formats. JEF Chiefs of Defence are meeting on 15 January 2025, and the next JEF Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for late March.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Defence Diplomacy Strategy’s development was completed in December 2025. The Department plans to launch a public summary of the Strategy early this year.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The UK Government is committed to safeguarding the security of all our Overseas Territories, including those in the Caribbean. The Ministry of Defence undertakes regular assessments of the requirements for Defence support to those Overseas Territories.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Mefloquine is recommended as an effective anti-malarial by international health agencies, including the World Health Organisation. Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the National Health Service both follow National Institute for Care and Excellence guidelines on the prescription and management of side effects associated with mefloquine.
The MOD is engaged with NHS England (NHSE) through the NHSE Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group. This group has recently reviewed the clinical management of the side effects associated with mefloquine. As symptoms can resemble acute psychiatric conditions, clinicians are advised to assess patients individually and are expected to take a full drug and alcohol history, including any previous mefloquine use.
In England, Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE provide a broad range of specialist mental health, physical and wellbeing care services to veterans, with similar services available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
I would encourage any Veteran who is struggling with their mental health to self-refer or seek the support of their GP to access Op COURAGE, the Veterans' Mental Health and Wellbeing Service. The side effects that may be experienced whilst taking, or with a history of having taken mefloquine, will be treated according to the diagnosis; for example, if the patient is experiencing depressive symptoms, the treatment for depression will be instigated.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The total estimated cost of the Chinook Extended Range programme remains within the budgetary limit of £1.85 billion that was approved in June 2024.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The total estimated cost of the Chinook Extended Range programme remains within the budgetary limit of £1.85 billion that was approved in June 2024.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
All data used and developed in Palantir's software deployed across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will remain under the ownership of the MOD. The MOD has put in place extensive data security and protection measures to ensure UK Defence information is appropriately managed. UK Defence Data used and developed in Palantir's software remains sovereign and under the control of the MOD. We have clear contractual controls in place to ensure this as well as control over the data system that Palantir software sits upon. Any change from this cannot be conducted without consent from the MOD. All data will remain sovereign, freely available across the MOD to be exploited wherever it is needed, including the broader supply chain, and technical ecosystem.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government is spending more of a rising defence budget with British companies.
Ministry of Defence (MOD) total direct expenditure with industry was £35.4 billion in 2024-25, of which £31.7 billion was with UK industry. Of the total industry spend, £11.9 billion was on equipment, of which £10.4 billion (87%) was in the UK.
Statistics on MOD expenditure with industry are published annually on the gov.uk website at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-regional-expenditure-statistics-with-industry-202425.
The Department does not centrally track the origin of all raw materials used in the production of equipment.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government is spending more of a rising defence budget with British companies.
Ministry of Defence (MOD) total direct expenditure with industry was £35.4 billion in 2024-25, of which £31.7 billion was with UK industry. Of the total industry spend, £11.9 billion was on equipment, of which £10.4 billion (87%) was in the UK.
Statistics on MOD expenditure with industry are published annually on the gov.uk website at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-regional-expenditure-statistics-with-industry-202425.
The Department does not centrally track the origin of all raw materials used in the production of equipment.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme Full Business Case is planned for submission and approval in summer 2026. Existing approvals are in place to support continued work until the end of 2026.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 95410 on 8 December 2025 which remains extant.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK remains committed to the enduring defeat of Daesh through Op SHADER. Whilst all UK operations remain under constant review, there are no plans to end Op SHADER. The UK will continue to do what is necessary to prevent a Daesh resurgence, support regional stability and protect UK national security.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence is committed to modernising the UK's air and missile defence capabilities, including ground-based systems such as Sky Sabre, to ensure robust national resilience as highlighted in the Strategic Defence Review. UK capabilities provide sovereign nation capability and support interoperability with NATO allies and partners. These capabilities, integrated with NATO Allies defend our homeland and contribute to the strength of the NATO Alliance.
The Government has committed £1 billion to Integrated Air and Missile Defence in line with the Strategic Defence Review, ensuring investment is prioritised against evolving threats as part of the future Integrated Force. The allocation of investment and timelines for Integrated Air and Missile Defence spending will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
It would not be appropriate to state stockpile levels of munitions for reasons of national security, but these remain under continuous review to maintain operational readiness.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is committed to modernising the UK's air and missile defence capabilities, including ground-based systems such as Sky Sabre, to ensure robust national resilience as highlighted in the Strategic Defence Review. UK capabilities provide sovereign nation capability and support interoperability with NATO allies and partners. These capabilities, integrated with NATO Allies defend our homeland and contribute to the strength of the NATO Alliance.
The Government has committed £1 billion to Integrated Air and Missile Defence in line with the Strategic Defence Review, ensuring investment is prioritised against evolving threats as part of the future Integrated Force. The allocation of investment and timelines for Integrated Air and Missile Defence spending will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
It would not be appropriate to state stockpile levels of munitions for reasons of national security, but these remain under continuous review to maintain operational readiness.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is committed to modernising the UK's air and missile defence capabilities, including ground-based systems such as Sky Sabre, to ensure robust national resilience as highlighted in the Strategic Defence Review. UK capabilities provide sovereign nation capability and support interoperability with NATO allies and partners. These capabilities, integrated with NATO Allies defend our homeland and contribute to the strength of the NATO Alliance.
The Government has committed £1 billion to Integrated Air and Missile Defence in line with the Strategic Defence Review, ensuring investment is prioritised against evolving threats as part of the future Integrated Force. The allocation of investment and timelines for Integrated Air and Missile Defence spending will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
It would not be appropriate to state stockpile levels of munitions for reasons of national security, but these remain under continuous review to maintain operational readiness.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Global Combat Air Programme International Government Organisation (GIGO) is validating and refining its organisational design.
Tri-nation planning for the Organisation includes a workforce of around 500 employees when fully operational. Exact numbers will fluctuate based on the programme requirements. A third of employees will come from each of Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, there will be a mixture of military and civilian employees from each nation.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I am withholding further detail for operational security reasons.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I am withholding further detail for operational security reasons.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I am withholding further detail for operational security reasons.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence regularly engages with subject matter experts, both at home and abroad, to assess the effectiveness of different types of Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS). This includes the role of air defence artillery systems.
The UK operates advanced Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) capabilities which continue to be developed in response to the changing threat. These systems are operated by various different users within Defence, including air defence units.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually reviews its operational capabilities, including command arrangements for ground-based air defence, to ensure they remain effective and fit for purpose. The protection of the United Kingdom’s critical national infrastructure is a key priority, and the MOD works closely with other Government Departments and agencies to assess and address potential threats. Any updates or changes to command arrangements are informed by regular assessments, operational requirements, and emerging threats to ensure the safety and security of the nation.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Project Vanquish has been launched by the Royal Navy to seek proposals from industry for a Technical Demonstration of a Fixed-Wing, Short Take Off and Landing, Autonomous Collaborative Platform. Vanquish will be a jet-powered aircraft able to take off and land from a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier without the need for catapults or arrestor gear. It will determine the ability of such an air vehicle to deliver maritime mission sets for Carrier Strike.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intent and he will know that Challenger 3 has been designed to deliver an optimal balance of lethality, survivability, and mobility to meet its operational requirements.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society.
Tranche1, beginning in 2026, is expected to include 150 entrants, with an intention to increase capacity for future tranches. The total cost to Defence to deliver Tranche 1 of the scheme is £13 million. The cost of future tranches will be informed by lessons drawn from Tranche 1.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society.
Tranche1, beginning in 2026, is expected to include 150 entrants, with an intention to increase capacity for future tranches. The total cost to Defence to deliver Tranche 1 of the scheme is £13 million. The cost of future tranches will be informed by lessons drawn from Tranche 1.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR) sets out the Government's approach to deterring threats and strengthening security in the Euro-Atlantic area, including the Arctic and High North. The region features strongly in the SDR's strategic thinking, particularly in relation to the Royal Navy's Atlantic Bastion concept (which includes securing the North Atlantic and adjacent waters), the importance of NATO's Northern Flank, our co-operation through the Joint Expeditionary Force and bilaterally with nations such as Norway, and the anticipated geostrategic shifts due to climate change, including increased accessibility and competition in the High North.
The Government continues to monitor developments in the Arctic region closely, including Russia's military posture and capabilities in the region. This is achieved through a combination of intelligence assessments, engagement with allies, and participation in multinational fora such as the JEF and NATO.
NATO is strengthening its deterrence and defence as a result of the increasing threat from Russia and will continue to adapt as necessary.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Stuart Anderson
(Conservative - South Shropshire)
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 is being repealed and replaced by new legislation. The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will deliver new safeguards specifically designed for veterans who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The Ministry of Defence continues to consult with veterans and the wider Armed Forces community.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine.
Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
In coordination with NATO allies, we have committed to strengthening preparedness and deterrence to counter threats to the Baltic region, ensuring that our forces remain capable, credible, and ready to respond to any threat to Alliance security.
This is demonstrated through the UK’s lead as framework nation for NATO’s multinational battlegroup in Estonia and contribution of surveillance aircraft to NATO’s BALTIC SENTRY, which protects critical national infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
Additionally, and in line with our NATO Article 3 commitments, the UK is the framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force, which has demonstrated the UK’s leadership, preparedness and responsiveness to security threats in the High North and Baltic.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Armoured Cavalry Programme met all pre-agreed elements required to confirm Initial Operation Capability on 23 July 2025. The criteria spanned across all recognised Defence Lines of Development including Training, Equipment, Personnel, Information, Doctrine and Concepts, Organisation, Infrastructure, Safety and Logistics.
It would not be appropriate to release the complete list of criteria as to do so could, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)