Ministry of Defence

The Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers are committed into the production cycle to be upgraded and are therefore no longer counted as part of the current MLRS fleet. Once the upgrade is complete, they will be added back into the modernised fleet.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 July 2026 to Question 18244.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-13/18244

The pursuant question previously explained that one Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle commenced or completed the disposal process in accordance with Defence disposal policy. It would be inappropriate for me to provide exact disposal dates as to do so could, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces.

The UK’s munition stockpile levels and operational planning assumptions are classified; disclosure of such information could undermine national and operational security. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) works with the Military Commands and industry to regularly review munitions demand, supply resilience and opportunities to increase production capacity. This ensures our munitions planning assumptions remain aligned with the evolving threat environment and lessons identified from recent operations.

As we have set out in the Defence Investment Plan, we are investing in increasing munitions production capacity, including plans for six new energetics and munitions factories and an "always on" production model for some key munitions.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 July 2026 to Question 17101 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty).

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-08/17101

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 July 2026 to Question 17101 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty).

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-08/17101

The Government assesses the long-term sustainability, capability and capacity of UK naval shipbuilding through the ongoing work of the National Shipbuilding Office (NSO), as part of the National Armaments Director Group, and the Royal Navy.

The Defence Investment Plan provides a significant forward programme of naval procurement, and the NSO, RN and wider NADG will continue to work closely with industry to understand future workforce, capacity and infrastructure requirements in the immediate and long term.

The NSO will publish a Shipbuilding and Maritime Technology Action Plan later this year which will detail this government’s approach to ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of the UK Shipbuilding sector.

The UK is following the F-35 Joint Program Office-directed maintenance policy for corrosion inspection. All aircraft types undertake corrosion inspection and maintenance throughout their life. This activity is well under way on the UK F-35 fleet and will be ongoing through the life of the platform.

As with all aircraft types, corrosion inspection and remediation was anticipated and included as part of the whole life cost estimate for the programme. It is conducted across Government and industry facilities. It is therefore not possible to disaggregate the cost of corrosion from wider maintenance costs.

The UK undertakes regular analysis of NATO flying training system opportunities via participation in the NATO Flying Training Europe High Visibility Project, the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training system and the International Flying Training School. Output is reviewed for quality, safety and value for money to ensure the Combat Air requirement is met for new Fast Jet Pilots.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not publish munition stockpile levels, as disclosure of such information could undermine national and operational security. The UK’s weapons stockpile is maintained at levels required by the Armed Forces and is actively reviewed to balance threats, availability, industrial capacity, and technology.

The MOD reviews and updates our munitions plan periodically, ensuring that planning assumptions remain aligned with the evolving threat environment and lessons identified from recent operations. Requirements for Brimstone, Paveway IV, SPEAR 3, Meteor and ASRAAM capabilities will be considered as part of this broader review to ensure UK stockpiles remain sufficient to meet the demands of current and future operations.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information in the specific format requested. The Department reviews and grants departmental approval at programme level. However, a single approved procurement programmefrequently encompasses multiple underlying contracts.

These individual contracts are often distributed across differing stages of pre-award finalisation, commercial negotiation, or international partnership development. Our central tracking systems monitor approvals by macro-programme capability rather than at an aggregated ledger of un-signed contract valuations, compiling a single estimated value could only be achieved at disproportionate cost. The Department remains fully committed to commercial transparency.

To maintain public accountability without disrupting active commercial negotiations, the MOD continuously publishes its upcoming commercial pipeline via the UK 1 Pipeline Notice on Find a Tender, in alignment with modern transparency obligations.

The Ministry of Defence has assessed that there remains an enduring requirement for the capability provided by a Main Battle Tank. The Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank will provide the British Army’s principal armoured fighting capability through the 2030s, and the Department continues to consider how this capability should be sustained in the longer term. No decisions have yet been taken on a specific successor programme.

The Department continues to assess progress towards Full Service Implementation (FSI) of the Armed Forces Recruiting Service in October 2027 through established governance, planning and assurance arrangements. These include Implementation Boards and the Armed Forces Recruiting Board, the latter of which is chaired by the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. These boards allow for senior oversight of delivery progress, residual risk identification and the evidence required to support each Service Commencement Date.

The Department remains confident that FSI in October 2027 is achievable.

The Department does not generally classify the Jackal as an Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV). Jackal is classified as a High Mobility Tactical Vehicle (HMTV) designed primarily for reconnaissance and patrol tasks. While it provides protected mobility and can be equipped with mounted weapon systems, it is categorised separately from platforms commonly managed and reported as AFVs, such as Ajax, Boxer, Challenger 2, Challenger 3 and Warrior.

Maturation of infrastructure means building and refining the capability needed to safely and effectively dismantle the demonstrator, Swiftsure.

Jonathan Simcock continues to keep the department informed of the progress of the Review. He expects to present the Ajax Simcock Review to MOD Ministers later this year.

I will continue to keep the House informed about developments with Ajax, as I have done since Exercise Titan Storm via Written Ministerial Statement.

Due to operational sensitives and security classification, the Spearfish Upgrade Programme review note will not be published.

Defence is making a landmark investment in Scotland’s future defence workforce, including apprenticeships, through the Defence Industrial Strategy’s £182 million skills package and the Scotland Defence Growth Deal.

The Scotland Defence Growth Deal has identified skills as a core priority and will support interventions to address skills shortages across the defence sector. This includes a proposed £10 million investment in up to two Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in Scotland, creating pathways into careers in defence engineering, advanced manufacturing and maritime technologies.

Scotland will also benefit from UK-wide initiatives such as the UCAS Defence Portal, which will promote awareness of high-quality careers in defence and the apprenticeship and graduate routes into them. Similarly, through the Defence Universities Alliance, we are working with the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Strathclyde to grow collaboration between MOD, universities and defence industries to support skills and the pipeline of students into rewarding careers.

In addition, major defence programmes are creating apprenticeship opportunities in Scotland. The Type 31 frigate programme in Rosyth, for example, currently supports around 150 apprenticeships and is expected to generate further apprenticeship opportunities over the lifetime of the programme.

Defence is making a landmark investment in Scotland’s future defence workforce, including apprenticeships, through the Defence Industrial Strategy’s £182 million skills package and the Scotland Defence Growth Deal.

The Scotland Defence Growth Deal has identified skills as a core priority and will support interventions to address skills shortages across the defence sector. This includes a proposed £10 million investment in up to two Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in Scotland, creating pathways into careers in defence engineering, advanced manufacturing and maritime technologies.

Scotland will also benefit from UK-wide initiatives such as the UCAS Defence Portal, which will promote awareness of high-quality careers in defence and the apprenticeship and graduate routes into them. Similarly, through the Defence Universities Alliance, we are working with the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Strathclyde to grow collaboration between MOD, universities and defence industries to support skills and the pipeline of students into rewarding careers.

In addition, major defence programmes are creating apprenticeship opportunities in Scotland. The Type 31 frigate programme in Rosyth, for example, currently supports around 150 apprenticeships and is expected to generate further apprenticeship opportunities over the lifetime of the programme.

The UK and Ireland work closely together on shared security challenges under the refreshed UK-Ireland Defence Memorandum of Understanding which prioritises maritime defence cooperation. The UK does not comment on operational taskings.

The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We owe an enduring debt of gratitude to the more than 22,000 Service personnel, scientists and civilians whose contributions helped safeguard the nation's security.

The Government has carefully considered concerns raised regarding the handling of records relating to the UK nuclear testing programme. To address long-standing questions from nuclear test veterans about blood and urine testing policies, an extensive records discovery exercise was commissioned and completed, examining tens of thousands of documents held by the Ministry of Defence.

The exercise found no evidence of intentional concealment of medical records. The findings were published along with an accompanying Written Ministerial Statement on 15 July 2026.

The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We owe an enduring debt of gratitude to the more than 22,000 Service personnel, scientists and civilians whose contributions helped safeguard the nation's security.

The Government has carefully considered concerns raised regarding the handling of records relating to the UK nuclear testing programme. To address long-standing questions from nuclear test veterans about blood and urine testing policies, an extensive records discovery exercise was commissioned and completed, examining tens of thousands of documents held by the Ministry of Defence.

The exercise found no evidence of intentional concealment of medical records. The findings were published along with an accompanying Written Ministerial Statement on 15 July 2026.

Arrangements and support for nuclear test veterans in other countries, including the United States and France, are matters for those governments.

In the United Kingdom, veterans who believe they have suffered ill health as a result of their service may apply for no-fault compensation under the War Pension Scheme, provided they served before 6 April 2005. Claims are considered on the basis of the available service and medical evidence, with the benefit of reasonable doubt given to the claimant, and decisions carry a full right of appeal to an independent tribunal.

The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK's nuclear testing programme and recognises their service and the significant contribution they made to the nation's security.

The Ministry of Defence does not hold information on how many British military personnel who participated in the UK's nuclear weapons testing programme are currently alive. It is estimated that around 22,000 Service personnel and civilians participated in the UK's nuclear testing programme between 1952 and 1967.

There is no dedicated compensation scheme for Nuclear Test Veterans and their families. However, veterans who believe they have suffered ill health as a result of their service may apply for no-fault compensation under the War Pension Scheme, provided they served before 6 April 2005.

War Pensions may be awarded for illness or injury caused by service in the Armed Forces, with the benefit of reasonable doubt given to the claimant. Claims are assessed on the basis of available service and medical evidence, medically certified, and carry a full right of appeal to an independent tribunal.

All LGBT veterans who were dismissed or discharged due to the Ban can apply to the Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) for the Dismissed or Discharged Payment. LGBT veterans who were impacted in other ways under the Ban, including veterans who felt pressured to resign, can apply for an Impact Payment, which is determined by an Independent Panel. The Panel considers the applicant’s testimony, any supporting information, and any Service records.

For all applications made to the FRS, the burden of determining whether a fact or matter occurred lies with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) rather than the applicant. Unless the MOD finds evidence to contradict their testimony, the facts or experiences reported by an applicant will be accepted as taking place, if, on a balance of probabilities, they are more likely to have occurred than not. This approach recognises the historical issues relating to the retention and destruction of documentation and prevents applicants being disadvantaged due to records being incomplete through no fault of their own.

Future conflicts will be more contested, faster moving and more connected than today, requiring new capabilities beyond current aircraft alone. Current operational requirements indicate that a sixth-generation combat air system should combine crewed and uncrewed platforms, leveraging the strengths of both. Through the Global Combat Air Programme, the UK is developing a next-generation fighter aircraft that will operate alongside autonomous systems as part of an integrated combat air system. The platform is being designed with the flexibility to rapidly adapt to future technological developments and evolving threats.

Through Military Aid to the Civil Authorities, Defence can bolster civilian responders and help protect communities. Deploying military personnel can give Fire and Rescue Services additional capacity to carry out general duties, logistics and transport tasks when the Fire Service are under significant pressure.

In August 2026, Defence deployed 200 Service personnel to support South West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. This included transporting water and clearing vegetation, allowing firefighters to focus their efforts on containing and extinguishing the fire.

The UK and Ireland work closely together under the refreshed UK-Ireland Defence Memorandum of Understanding which prioritises cooperation in both the air and maritime domains. The UK does not comment on operational taskings.

The UK and Ireland work closely together on shared security challenges under the refreshed UK-Ireland Defence Memorandum of Understanding which prioritises cooperation in the air, cyber, and maritime domains. However, the UK is not responsible for defending the airspace of Ireland, and matters relating to the defence of Ireland remain for the Irish Government.

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, funding for investments beyond 2029-30 will be set out as part of future Spending Reviews and subsequent budget-setting processes, in the usual way.

Consideration of the most appropriate gun solution for the Fleet Solid Support ships is ongoing.

We are continuing to work with the Home Office on progressing policy and scope to deliver this commitment in a way that is fair, comprehensive and achievable.

Defence is developing a productivity measurement framework to support implementation of the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan. The measures under consideration include indicators of industrial output and workforce productivity, investment in research and development, procurement cost and schedule performance, production throughput and unit costs.

Work is underway to confirm the availability and quality of the underlying data, establish appropriate baselines, and agree reporting and governance arrangements. The framework is also being developed in support of the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and its Defence Sector Plan.

Any funding for increasing the UK's Active Reserve forces will be considered as part of future Spending Reviews.

The Department remains committed to transforming how Defence manages and supports its workforce through the Corporate Services Modernisation programme. Work is progressing on the design elements of future military and civilian HR processes and systems, alongside commercial activity and preparation for the delivery phase. The current schedule anticipates rollout commencing in mid-2029, with completion expected in 2030.

The Ministry of Defence does not hold a central, comprehensive list of retired aircraft no longer in active fleet management. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

We assess the effectiveness of the National Endeavour communications campaign through a range of measures, including reach and engagement across traditional and digital media platforms, and levels of awareness, support for and understanding of the nuclear deterrent. Public support for the UK's nuclear deterrent remains high, however, it is important to note that levels of public support cannot be attributed solely to the National Endeavour campaign, as they are influenced by a range of factors, including wider public attitudes, international events and the geopolitical environment. The campaign contributes to broader efforts to improve understanding of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise’s role in protecting the UK and supporting jobs, skills and economic growth across the country.

I hope the hon. Member will understand that we do not routinely confirm a breakdown of the figures relating to vehicles in the active fleet, storage or disposal process in the interests of security and operational effectiveness.

The UK and Canada share a common objective of strengthening Allied defence industrial capacity through closer international cooperation. The Multilateral Defence Mechanism (MDM) and Canada's proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) are intended to address related challenges within the defence industrial ecosystem.

Following the joint-PM statement at the NATO Ankara summit in July, we committed to working closely with our Canadian allies on how the MDM and DSRB can work together, and we continue to do this.

The resubmission and reduction in scope referenced at point four in the narrative relates to the overall schedule and funding profile for the totality of the portfolio.

It does not refer to the resubmission of individual projects within the Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio. No projects have been resubmitted.

I refer the hon. Member to the previous answer to Question 16066 which remains extant. The exact delivery profile is subject to negotiation between the UK and multinational Joint Program Office.

Project HORUS is supporting urgent operational requirements for a rapidly procured, persistent air-search capability using uncrewed maritime platforms fitted with sensors to detect, track, identify and report airborne threats. The project is on contract and is intended to help the Royal Navy generate distributed sensing that reduces risk to personnel, and will inform future procurement decisions.

The only Royal Air Force location where the runway is being resurfaced is RAF Brize Norton.

The below locations form part of the Air Operating Surface Sub-Programme, which includes repairs to surfaces outside of the core runway.

The programme for the refurbishment of RAF Northolt. Leuchars and RAF Woodvale are ongoing pending final surveys and approvals.

The Air Operating Surface Programme also includes locations that will receive refurbishment works which does not include resurfacing.