Ministry of Defence

Officials from The Ministry of Defence (MOD) regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. The conversation on National Defence was a recommendation in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which the Government accepted. The Ministry of Defence is the lead department for delivering the SDR, with support from the Cabinet Office, and particularly from the National Security Secretariat.

As set out in the SDR, the national conversation will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing Government, the private sector and public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack.

The MOD is actively supporting this work, particularly playing a key role within the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme. This is clear from the recent comments by the Chief of the Defence Staff at the Munich Security Conference. This work is supported at official level, through the Directorate for Defence Security Policy.

The Royal Air Force in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence Directorate Analytics are able to provide an estimated cost of the price per litre of both Conventional Aviation Turbine and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in each year from 2025-2040, and the marginal cost difference between them. However, the data in the below table is subject to change dependent on market fluctuation of fuel costs.

The below forecasts are in United States Dollars (USD) per litre and will be subjected to currency conversion, which is changeable. Oil is generally bought and sold on the market in USD.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) is the next step in turning the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) into action. It is the first zero-based review of Defence’s budgets in eighteen years and goes significantly further than the last Government’s Equipment Plan by looking across every budget line, including people and infrastructure.

We will publish it as soon as we can, but our aim is to ensure decisions in the DIP are robust and support the development of both current and future capabilities, helping to drive the transformation of our Armed Forces described in the Strategic Defence Review.

Defence is an engine for growth, and small businesses are the backbone of UK defence, bringing the innovation, agility and fresh thinking that our Armed Forces need to stay ahead of evolving threats.

As announced by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State of Defence last year, this Government is committed to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including an ambitious but achievable target to increase our spend with SMEs by £2.5 billion by 2028. The department's forthcoming SME Action Plan will lay out what steps we will be taking during 2026 and 2027 to achieve this uplift by 2028.

We intend to fit the Type 31 frigate with the Mark 41 vertical launch system. Working closely with the US Navy, we are progressing the next steps of the Mk41 procurement, including assessment of all installation and integration options. At this stage, as I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand, it would be inappropriate to provide any further information whilst this commercially sensitive work is ongoing.

We intend to fit the Type 31 frigate with the Mark 41 vertical launch system. Working closely with the US Navy, we are progressing the next steps of the Mk41 procurement, including assessment of all installation and integration options. At this stage, as I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand, it would be inappropriate to provide any further information whilst this commercially sensitive work is ongoing.

The Standing Naval Forces are under the control of NATO Allied Maritime Command which responds to Allied Command Operations. This multinational, integrated force is continuously available for tasking, ranging from NATO missions to exercise participation.

Project FLYTRAP (formerly Project VANAHEIM) is a joint UK/US/Australian Army initiative focused on countering small uncrewed aerial systems.

The project aims to accelerate the British Army’s ability to address this threat through operational experimentation, system integration, and evidence-based capability development. It is evaluating a range of sensors, effectors, networks and tactics in realistic field conditions to inform doctrine and support future capability decisions.

The Ministry of Defence works closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to ensure that preparedness plans are in place in the case of a natural disaster impacting the Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, including Anguilla.

No entitled Armed Forces personnel or their families are placed on a waiting list for Service Family Accommodation in the UK.

The hon. Member will recall that when this Government took office, we cancelled the VIP helicopter contract that had attracted so much criticism in previous years when used by the previous Government.

The current RAF Command Support Air Transport fleet consists of two RAF Envoy IV fixed wing aircraft. The fleet is used for the rapid and efficient transport of small numbers of high priority passengers or freight to deliver critical diplomatic engagement and/or military output. These aircraft offer a flexibility of response unachievable by other means and avoids the use of larger, more expensive, and less discreet aircraft. The Cabinet Office has responsibility for organising Ministerial helicopter transport. There are no military helicopters in the Command Support Air Transport fleet.

The Army continually reviews equipment allocations to ensure training needs are met. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations, including the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

The Army continually reviews equipment allocations to ensure training needs are met. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations, including the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

As at October 2025 (latest available figure) there were 200 UK Regular¹ Armed Forces Service personnel permanently stationed² at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK³).

Notes/Caveats

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.
2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.
3. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Table 1. Number of UK Regular¹ Armed Forces Service Personnel stationed² at BATUK³ 2016 – 2025.

Source: Analysis(Tri Service)

Notes/Caveats

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.
2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.
3. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Table 2. Number of unique UK Armed Forces Service Personnel³ Deployed² to BATUK⁷ in each of the last 10 Financial Years^5,6,8

Source: Analysis (Tri Service)

Notes/Caveats

1. Deployment data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) `Move and Track` system. Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, figures provided are provisional and subject to change. Figures have been derived from the October 2025 deployment extract.
2. Deployment data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) `Move and Track` system. Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, figures provided are provisional and subject to change. Figures have been derived from the October 2025 deployment extract.
3. ‘UK Forces Service Personnel’ comprises UK Regular Forces, Gurkhas, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Volunteer Reserve, Serving Regular Reserve, Sponsored Reserve, and Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS).
4. Service personnel data is derived from the JPA system, which is a combination of mandatory and non-mandatory fields populated by unit administrators and voluntary fields that Armed Forces personnel can choose to complete based on their perceptions.
5. The Date of Deployment is the 'deployed date in' as recorded on JPA 'Move and Track' system. This is the date personnel deployed into the respective count.
6. Please note: the total does not include repeat tours within the same calendar year so each individual is only recorded once per financial year. If personnel began a deployment in multiple financial years, then they would be reported in each financial year they were deployed in. Hence, figures can not be combined to give an overall number of unique personnel deployed over this whole period.
7. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
8. The Financial Year for Defence Statistics purposes starts on 1 April and ends on 31 March.
9. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

As at October 2025 (latest available figure) there were 200 UK Regular¹ Armed Forces Service personnel permanently stationed² at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK³).

Notes/Caveats

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.
2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.
3. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Table 1. Number of UK Regular¹ Armed Forces Service Personnel stationed² at BATUK³ 2016 – 2025.

Source: Analysis(Tri Service)

Notes/Caveats

1. UK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel.
2. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.
3. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Table 2. Number of unique UK Armed Forces Service Personnel³ Deployed² to BATUK⁷ in each of the last 10 Financial Years^5,6,8

Source: Analysis (Tri Service)

Notes/Caveats

1. Deployment data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) `Move and Track` system. Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, figures provided are provisional and subject to change. Figures have been derived from the October 2025 deployment extract.
2. Deployment data are derived from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) `Move and Track` system. Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, figures provided are provisional and subject to change. Figures have been derived from the October 2025 deployment extract.
3. ‘UK Forces Service Personnel’ comprises UK Regular Forces, Gurkhas, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Volunteer Reserve, Serving Regular Reserve, Sponsored Reserve, and Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS).
4. Service personnel data is derived from the JPA system, which is a combination of mandatory and non-mandatory fields populated by unit administrators and voluntary fields that Armed Forces personnel can choose to complete based on their perceptions.
5. The Date of Deployment is the 'deployed date in' as recorded on JPA 'Move and Track' system. This is the date personnel deployed into the respective count.
6. Please note: the total does not include repeat tours within the same calendar year so each individual is only recorded once per financial year. If personnel began a deployment in multiple financial years, then they would be reported in each financial year they were deployed in. Hence, figures can not be combined to give an overall number of unique personnel deployed over this whole period.
7. BATUK has been derived from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
8. The Financial Year for Defence Statistics purposes starts on 1 April and ends on 31 March.
9. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

As you will be aware, I released a written Ministerial Statement in the House on 22 January 2026 in which I provided an update to Parliament on the British Army’s Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) and the findings of the Ministerial review which has now concluded. It would not be appropriate to release any further specific details than those contained in my previous statement.

As the Secretary of State has publicly said, Peter Mandelson had no influence or involvement in the Defence Enterprise Agreement with Palantir.

We are working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible.

The previous Government established the Afghanistan Response Route (ARR) for individuals affected by the February 2022 data incident considered to be at highest risk as a result of the incident.

Under the scheme around 900 ARR principals are in Britain or in transit, with 3,600 family members.

As the Defence Secretary outlined in his statement, on 15 July 2025, the Ministry of Defence took action to notify as many of those affected as possible by the incident using the most recent contact details held by the department and provided security advice. An online self-checker tool and an Information Service Centre (ISC), which included 24/7 telephone and email support for all affected individuals, were also stood up to assist people in finding out whether they were affected by the data incident. The ISC continued for a number of months and was gradually wound down, in accordance with demand. It was closed in October 2025, but the online self-checker tool remains available on gov.uk.

The previous Government established the Afghanistan Response Route (ARR) for individuals affected by the February 2022 data incident considered to be at highest risk as a result of the incident.

Under the scheme around 900 ARR principals are in Britain or in transit, with 3,600 family members.

As the Defence Secretary outlined in his statement, on 15 July 2025, the Ministry of Defence took action to notify as many of those affected as possible by the incident using the most recent contact details held by the department and provided security advice. An online self-checker tool and an Information Service Centre (ISC), which included 24/7 telephone and email support for all affected individuals, were also stood up to assist people in finding out whether they were affected by the data incident. The ISC continued for a number of months and was gradually wound down, in accordance with demand. It was closed in October 2025, but the online self-checker tool remains available on gov.uk.

The Strategic Defence Review sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government endorsed the Review's vision and accepted all 62 recommendations.

Although they have no formal role, we often engage with the lead reviewers.

We are committed to ensuring that our forces are equipped with the best possible kit for the future, both men and women. We are ensuring that our Service personnel are equipped with appropriate and sufficient protective equipment. As part of this commitment, we are delivering an update to body armour for all UK personnel through the Tactical Ballistic Plates (TBP) project.

Assessments of the effectiveness of body armour are conducted as a key part of the selection process prior to any contract award. These assessments are carried out against a detailed set of performance criteria derived from a classified threat assessment, ensuring that the armour provides the required level of protection against relevant ballistic threats.

The in-service hard armour plates and soft armour filler are subject to regular inspection and testing to ensure their continued integrity and the protection levels they are designed to provide for all personnel.

The Department continues to work closely with General Dynamics on the Ajax Programme. Investigations into Ajax remain ongoing, and time must be given to ensure that all information and evidence is considered. I will continue to keep the house informed of developments as I have done since the issue arose on Exercise TITAN STORM.

The Department continues to work closely with General Dynamics on the Ajax Programme. Investigations into Ajax remain ongoing, and time must be given to ensure that all information and evidence is considered. I will continue to keep the house informed of developments as I have done since the issue arose on Exercise TITAN STORM.

Neither the Secretary of State nor any other Defence Ministers met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius between 5 July 2024 and August 2025.

The Secretary of State for Defence speaks regularly with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on a wide range of issues, including Diego Garcia.

We will equip Royal Air Force personnel with the cold weather clothing required to work in cold conditions on exercise or in conflict.

The number of live firing exercises, by financial year (FY), are below:

The Independent Legal Advocacy Support pilot will operate for 12 months from Spring 2026. It will provide advice to any complainant aged 18 or over, whether a Service person or a civilian, where the alleged perpetrator is a Service person subject to Service law or a civilian subject to Service discipline, and where the case could fall within the jurisdiction of the Service Justice System.

The age threshold reflects the scope of the Service Justice System and the types of cases it is likely to handle. As the pilot is evaluated, we will assess whether there is evidence of a need to widen the scope of the specialist legal advocacy support. If such a need is identified, it will be considered as part of the ongoing evaluation.

Medical records do not attribute injuries to specific items of equipment, and therefore the Ministry of Defence is unable to provide the information requested.

The Ministry of Defence remains firmly committed to ensuring that our service personnel are equipped with appropriate and sufficient protective equipment.

The Government has set out its expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

No changes have been made to the job specification for the Armed Forces Commissioner.

The UK and Ireland work closely together on shared security challenges, but the UK does not provide defence cover for Ireland, nor does it deploy security assets to protect Irish subsea infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence has not received any requests from Ireland for security support during their presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Matters relating to Ireland's defence posture and expenditure rest with the Irish authorities, and any enquiries on those issues should be directed to them.

The UK and Ireland work closely together on shared security challenges, but the UK does not provide defence cover for Ireland, nor does it deploy security assets to protect Irish subsea infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence has not received any requests from Ireland for security support during their presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Matters relating to Ireland's defence posture and expenditure rest with the Irish authorities, and any enquiries on those issues should be directed to them.

The UK and Ireland work closely together on shared security challenges, but the UK does not provide defence cover for Ireland, nor does it deploy security assets to protect Irish subsea infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence has not received any requests from Ireland for security support during their presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Matters relating to Ireland's defence posture and expenditure rest with the Irish authorities, and any enquiries on those issues should be directed to them.

Since 2017, a total of 158 members of the Irish Defence Forces have undertaken training on UK Ministry of Dfence-run courses. All costs have been fully funded by Ireland, including course fees and associated expenses.

Data on UK defence exports is published annually by UK Defence and Security Exports (UK DSE), now National Armaments Directorate (NAD). They present export figures only at regional level, with no disaggregated data available for Ireland specifically.

Project Convergence is a series of multinational experiments led by the United States Army Futures Command to test, integrate, and evaluate emerging technologies that enable faster, data driven decision making across domains.

The United Kingdom participates in Project Convergence as part of its long-standing cooperation with the United States Army on future force development, experimentation, and interoperability. The British Army’s participation ensures that it remains interoperable, digitally connected and prepared for the future demands of conflict.

Major Government documents are usually published when they are presented to Parliament or shortly thereafter, with materials typically made available online and placed in the House of Commons Library unless sensitivity prevents this. Copies will be laid in parliament as appropriate.

UK trials for the low-cost air defence effector under the LEAP initiative are currently planned for Autumn 2026; however, this is dependent on engagement with industry and the maturity of the solutions offered. This will be followed by multilateral trials with our European partners in 2027.

Since its inception, the UK has invested over £2 billion already in Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme (FCAS/GCAP). This includes the associated Team Tempest research and development programme.

The current Financial Year (FY) is ongoing therefore, figures will be finalised within the Departmental Accounts once FY2025-26 has concluded.

I welcome innovation across the Defence industrial sector. The Ministry of Defence is aware of the importance of the Electromagnetic battlespace and is pursuing a number of options, both in the near-term and in the research and development programme, to address military needs.

The Ministry of Defence remains firmly committed to ensuring that our Service personnel are equipped with appropriate and sufficient protective equipment. As part of this commitment, we are delivering an update to body armour for UK personnel through the Tactical Ballistic Plates (TBP) project.

Anthropometric data was used in the design of TBP. Plates will be available in four sizes, to better fit a broader range of personnel, including women.

A comprehensive range of options will be assessed ahead of the TBP contract award, which is currently scheduled for December 2026. This evaluation will ensure that the new armour achieves the optimal balance between fit and the protection required for all our personnel. In-service dates will be confirmed once the contract has been awarded and the delivery schedule is finalised.