Ministry of Defence

Ministers are fully supportive of the Chief of the General Staff’s ambition to double the fighting power of the British Army by 2027 and treble it by 2030, which is in line with the Departmental priorities for the British Army.

For FY 2024-25, circa £440 million is currently forecast to be spent on maintaining and improving SFA. This includes improving insulation, remediating homes with damp and mould issues and the upgrade of heating systems.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to reviewing its standard for accommodation with the aim of improving the condition of SFA across the estate, and to improve the lived experience for Service families. As part of this, the MOD has recently regained ownership of circa 36,000 SFA properties through the deal with Annington Property Limited, substantially increasing its ability to redevelop and improve our estate further.

We are working to ensure our workforce remains affordable and targeted at delivering the Department’s priorities and are committed to achieving a more efficient and effective civil service.

The number of civilian personnel employed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as at 1 October 2024 was 56,800 (Full Time Equivalent (FTE), rounded). This includes civilians within MOD Main Top Level Budgets, Executive Agencies and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, but excludes Locally Engaged Civilians.

The latest forecast is that the MOD will employ 55,430 (FTE, rounded) civilian personnel on 1 April 2025 (using the above inclusions and exclusion). The forecast is informed by assumptions based on historic outflow and current recruitment plans. This is an indicative number used for planning purposes, and not a target. This figure represents only one part of MOD's workforce, and the actual figure may be impacted by changes to the size and shape of other workforce types including military staff, reservists and contractors.

For those Non-Departmental Public Bodies that employ public servants, responsibility for their staffing levels and human resources policies is delegated to the organisation and information is not held centrally.

The Ministry of Defence pay retention payments in a variety of ways depending on the needs of the single-Services. Retention payments for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are targeted where they are most needed, and where they make the most efficient use of tax-payers money.

From January 2025, a new £8,000 retention payment will be awarded to eligible regular Privates and Lance Corporals who have served four years. The payment targets Army Personnel as they enter a critical part of their career, with 12,000 personnel expected to benefit over the next three years.

The single-Services each pay targeted retention payments where they are most needed, and where they provide the most efficient use of tax-payers money.

As part of the Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve, eligible Tri-service aircraft engineers will be given £30,000 when they sign up for additional three years’ of service. From April 2025, this will be applicable to around 5,000 personnel in total.

The MOD takes a rigorous approach in assessing the risk of any capability transitions. The Department is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps in Cyprus and Brunei before the H-145 platform enters services from 2026. Key operational tasks will continue to be fulfilled.

The MOD takes a rigorous approach in assessing the risk of any capability transitions. The Department is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps in Cyprus and Brunei before the H-145 platform enters services from 2026. Key operational tasks will continue to be fulfilled.

The Puma helicopters in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on the island of Cyprus have historically supported emergency response across the SBAs, as well as providing troop movement and defence engagement tasks to British Forces Cyprus, including Episkopi and Dhekelia garrisons.

The MOD takes a rigorous approach in assessing the risk of any capability transitions. The Department is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability transitions in the SBAs before the H-145 platform enters services from 2026. Defence’s Strategic Objectives will continue to be fulfilled.

Good progress has been made on design and implementation of the key features of a reformed model, which form part of the wider defence reforms announced by the Defence Secretary in October.

We will take a more joined up, One Defence approach to our requirements to secure the best possible value for money from the defence budget.

Improving value for money will be a key aim of the reforms and of the new National Armaments Director role being established. Its aim is to ensure the Armed Forces are properly equipped to defend Britain, to build up the British defence industry, and to cut waste.

His Majesty’s Government (HMG) is working to ensure that the UK remains a leading hub for the global space sector and as a destination for the talent which is required to continue to develop the industry. HMG is engaging with Airbus to understand its consolidation plans, and any decisions relating to the size and structure of Airbus' workforce are a matter for the company.

There is no current plan to increase the number of Heavy Equipment Transporters (HET) procured as new track vehicles enter use in the Army. The number of HET provided under the existing service contract is deemed sufficient to meet the Army’s operational and training requirements.

Details of the required and desired experience for the new National Armaments Director role will be detailed in the job description, which will be published shortly.

This Government recognises the vital role shipbuilding and its skilled workforce plays, not only in our national security but also in the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom.

A commercial deal has been reached that will see Navantia UK purchase Harland and Wolff. We welcome the commercial deal by Navantia UK that secures the future of Harland and Wolff, protecting around 1,000 jobs at all four shipyards across the UK, including Belfast and Appledore.

Sky Sabre, the UK’s Medium range air defence capability that was deployed under Op STIFFTAIL, is now returning to the UK to undergo a period of reconstitution. There are a number of options for redeployment under consideration but there has been no decision at this time. A combination of capabilities and effects remain in place to ensure that all UK troops deployed overseas remain protected from an air defence perspective and the UK continues to meet its NATO commitments. The UK remains committed to the security of Poland and NATO’s Eastern Flank through and continues to work closely with Poland to identify and deliver bilateral and multilateral operations and exercises.

All of the remaining crew from HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark have been reassigned: either to other platforms, to training courses, or into other positions supporting the Royal Navy's highest priority outputs.

A small number of Royal Navy personnel have been retained to manage onboard systems and safety until final disposal.

Between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024, the total cost of refurbishment works in Ministers’ Private Offices was c£27,000. The works compromised wallpapering and replacement carpets.

This information is not held centrally and therefore it has not been possible to provide the answer within the allotted time frame. I will write to the hon. Member with an update in due course and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Funding for the Ministry of Defence for financial year 2025-26 has not yet been allocated to specific programmes or activities. The Department is still in the process of setting budgets internally.

The total funds allocated for the Spearfish torpedo programme are approximately £1154 million which incorporates the cost of the through life management of the programme.

The Government is bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy that aligns our security and economic priorities. The strategic aim of the Defence Industrial Strategy is to make sure the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are addressed.

Defence has a key role to play in delivering the Government's Growth Mission, by setting the conditions necessary for economic growth and by growing a better, more integrated, more innovative, and more resilient defence sector. An important part of this work is understanding and developing the impact defence spending has on the nations and regions of the UK.

Work is ongoing with our GCAP Partners Japan and Italy to establish the core platform concept and set up the structures needed, ready to launch the Development Phase in 2025.

Good progress has been made on design and implementation of the key features of a reformed model, which are part of the wider defence reforms announced by the Defence Secretary in October. Implementation will continue into 2025.

Through these changes we will deliver defence capabilities at greater pace, taking a One Defence approach to our requirements to secure the best possible value for money.

Good progress has been made on design and implementation of the key features of a reformed model, which are part of the wider defence reforms announced by the Defence Secretary in October.

We will improve delivery timelines for our major programmes through an integrated approach to ensure strategic alignment around outcomes, earlier expert advice including closer working with industry, and greater use of Spiral acquisition approaches to exploit technology and innovate.

Improving delivery timelines will be an important part of the new National Armaments Director role being established. Its aim is to ensure the Armed Forces are properly equipped to defend Britain, to build up the British defence industry, and to cut waste.

Good progress has been made on design and implementation of the key features of a reformed model, which are part of the wider defence reforms announced by the Defence Secretary in October.

The Ministry of Defence has a long-standing commitment to improve its engagement with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to broaden and strengthen its supply base. The recently published Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent recognises our intention to foster a more diverse community of suppliers, and will prompt a refresh of our SME Action Plan.

The number of cards held across the Ministry of Defence and DSTL (executive agency) at the end of calendar years 2022 and 2023 were as follows:

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a long-standing commitment to improve its engagement with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to broaden and strengthen its supply-base. The recently published Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent recognises our intention to foster a more diverse community of suppliers and will prompt a refresh of our SME Action Plan. Alongside this, the Department is undertaking other initiatives to strengthen its supply-chain resilience, including securing access to critical materials, components and technologies, and a first-of-its-kind wargame to explore how industry and the MOD could sustain personnel on the frontline when faced with constant supply chain disruption.

Good progress has been made on design and implementation of the key features of a reformed model, which are part of the wider defence reforms announced by the Defence Secretary in October.

To set programmes up for success from the outset, the Department is taking steps to provide expert advice on cost estimating much earlier in the project lifecycle.

This will help inform strategic balance of investment decisions, reduce optimism bias to improve future financial stability, and ultimately improve delivery and drive pace.

As a close ally and partner, we continue to work closely with Poland to progress our relationship in Integrated Air and Missile Defence.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has prioritised long term strategic relationships with our UK sovereign complex weapons industrial base. The MOD has recently signed the PMA2 with MBDA, through which weapon systems design, development, production, and support will be conducted. It presents a significant opportunity to counter current and future threats, providing military capability choice to the UK and Europe. Renewing this partnership for a further 10 years means we can deliver battle-winning equipment to our Armed Forces, while securing thousands of UK jobs and delivering significant savings to the taxpayer. It is an excellent example of the value and importance of long-term strategic collaboration with our industry partners.

The MOD is exploring further opportunities for strategic supplier partnerships across the UK Complex Weapons industrial base.

The MOD are awaiting the outcome to the Str prior to committing to future demands at this point.

AI and autonomous technologies are developing rapidly and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) core platform is being designed to incorporate them as they mature. We assess that pilots will still have a crucial role to play when GCAP comes into service and that their role, and the overall capability of the aircraft, will be augmented substantially by AI and autonomous technologies. For example, extensive use will be made of these technologies to task sensors, triage data, and analyse combat situations more quickly. How and when we incorporate these cutting-edge technologies will be driven by their maturity and ongoing assessments as to what best enables us to fight and win most effectively in highly contested environments.

The cost and time to ensure safety, training, and certification of these technologies is being refined through modelling and operational analysis. As the focus is on bringing into service a capability that is initially both piloted and involves substantial AI/autonomous technology, distinct estimates for a crewed versus an uncrewed capability have not been made.

The crewed aircraft being developed by the Global Combat Air Programme will operate in a future combat air system that includes uncrewed capabilities. AI and autonomous technology will also be central to the development of these collaborative uncrewed capabilities. Analysis and assessment of procurement options for collaborative uncrewed capabilities to complement Typhoon, F35 and GCAP aircraft is underway.

We are in regular discussions with our Italian and Japanese partners on these issues, as together we seek to ensure we are ready to exploit technological opportunities for our joint military and industrial advantage.

AI and autonomous technologies are developing rapidly and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) core platform is being designed to incorporate them as they mature. We assess that pilots will still have a crucial role to play when GCAP comes into service and that their role, and the overall capability of the aircraft, will be augmented substantially by AI and autonomous technologies. For example, extensive use will be made of these technologies to task sensors, triage data, and analyse combat situations more quickly. How and when we incorporate these cutting-edge technologies will be driven by their maturity and ongoing assessments as to what best enables us to fight and win most effectively in highly contested environments.

The cost and time to ensure safety, training, and certification of these technologies is being refined through modelling and operational analysis. As the focus is on bringing into service a capability that is initially both piloted and involves substantial AI/autonomous technology, distinct estimates for a crewed versus an uncrewed capability have not been made.

The crewed aircraft being developed by the Global Combat Air Programme will operate in a future combat air system that includes uncrewed capabilities. AI and autonomous technology will also be central to the development of these collaborative uncrewed capabilities. Analysis and assessment of procurement options for collaborative uncrewed capabilities to complement Typhoon, F35 and GCAP aircraft is underway.

We are in regular discussions with our Italian and Japanese partners on these issues, as together we seek to ensure we are ready to exploit technological opportunities for our joint military and industrial advantage.

AI and autonomous technologies are developing rapidly and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) core platform is being designed to incorporate them as they mature. We assess that pilots will still have a crucial role to play when GCAP comes into service and that their role, and the overall capability of the aircraft, will be augmented substantially by AI and autonomous technologies. For example, extensive use will be made of these technologies to task sensors, triage data, and analyse combat situations more quickly. How and when we incorporate these cutting-edge technologies will be driven by their maturity and ongoing assessments as to what best enables us to fight and win most effectively in highly contested environments.

The cost and time to ensure safety, training, and certification of these technologies is being refined through modelling and operational analysis. As the focus is on bringing into service a capability that is initially both piloted and involves substantial AI/autonomous technology, distinct estimates for a crewed versus an uncrewed capability have not been made.

The crewed aircraft being developed by the Global Combat Air Programme will operate in a future combat air system that includes uncrewed capabilities. AI and autonomous technology will also be central to the development of these collaborative uncrewed capabilities. Analysis and assessment of procurement options for collaborative uncrewed capabilities to complement Typhoon, F35 and GCAP aircraft is underway.

We are in regular discussions with our Italian and Japanese partners on these issues, as together we seek to ensure we are ready to exploit technological opportunities for our joint military and industrial advantage.

AI and autonomous technologies are developing rapidly and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) core platform is being designed to incorporate them as they mature. We assess that pilots will still have a crucial role to play when GCAP comes into service and that their role, and the overall capability of the aircraft, will be augmented substantially by AI and autonomous technologies. For example, extensive use will be made of these technologies to task sensors, triage data, and analyse combat situations more quickly. How and when we incorporate these cutting-edge technologies will be driven by their maturity and ongoing assessments as to what best enables us to fight and win most effectively in highly contested environments.

The cost and time to ensure safety, training, and certification of these technologies is being refined through modelling and operational analysis. As the focus is on bringing into service a capability that is initially both piloted and involves substantial AI/autonomous technology, distinct estimates for a crewed versus an uncrewed capability have not been made.

The crewed aircraft being developed by the Global Combat Air Programme will operate in a future combat air system that includes uncrewed capabilities. AI and autonomous technology will also be central to the development of these collaborative uncrewed capabilities. Analysis and assessment of procurement options for collaborative uncrewed capabilities to complement Typhoon, F35 and GCAP aircraft is underway.

We are in regular discussions with our Italian and Japanese partners on these issues, as together we seek to ensure we are ready to exploit technological opportunities for our joint military and industrial advantage.

Nuclear deterrence is critically important to our national security and this Government maintains an unwavering commitment to our nuclear deterrent, illustrated by the nuclear triple lock. This includes the ongoing build of the four Dreadnought Class submarines at Barrow-in-Furness, maintaining our continuous at sea deterrent, and the delivery of all future upgrades needed for the UK’s submarines to patrol the waters and keep our country safe.

For national security reasons we do not disclose details of numbers of such munitions that are produced for the UK Armed Forces. I can confirm however that Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) are being procured by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for its own stockpiles and in September 2024 the Government announced that MOD was procuring 650 of these missiles for Ukraine for air defence.  LMM has not been exported to Israel.

The UK continues to fully support its commitment to NATO’s rotational enhanced air policing model. The UK will be deploying six x Typhoon to Poland for a 4-month block in 2025 alongside a partner Swedish force of Gripen to provide a quick reaction force to defend NATO airspace in accordance with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe's regional plans.

Since February 2022, the UK has provided over 4,000 drones to Ukraine covering a broad range of capabilities including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, logistical and strike drones for both the land and maritime domain. Most of these drones are offensive drones; either directly providing lethal effect or enabling lethal effect. Of these drones, a minority were primarily for logistical use.

In addition, the UK led International Fund for Ukraine, has provided over 400 drones to Ukraine covering a broad range of capabilities. Most of these drones are offensive drones; either directly providing lethal effect or enabling lethal effect. Of these drones, a minority were primarily for logistical use.

This government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as it is needed.

Since 2022, we have provided more than 10 million small arms munitions to Ukraine.

This government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as it is needed.

Since 2022, we have delivered over 82,000 helmets to Ukraine. We have also provided over 50,000 helmets via Operation Interflex.

This government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as it is needed.

In May 2023, the UK provided Ukraine with long range Storm Shadow cruise missiles so that Ukraine can better defend its sovereign territory and protect itself from Russia’s deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Further details on the number of Storm Shadow cruise missiles provided, or associated delivery schedules, cannot be shared for reasons of operational security.

This Government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as it isneeded.

Due diligence reviews have been conducted to determine the winning bidder of the Armed Forces Recruiting Programme (AFRP) contract. With the contract’s approval process ongoing, it would not be appropriate to publish the outcome of the evaluation. Independent programme evaluations, to assess delivery success against agreed benefits, will continue throughout the life of the Armed Forces Recruiting Service.

The approvals process is due to be completed in early 2025. Following this, the contract will be awarded and the successful bidder announced. This is expected in February 2025.

The implementation of the AFRP has been phased to reduce the risks to service delivery.

Due diligence reviews have been conducted to determine the winning bidder of the Armed Forces Recruiting Programme (AFRP) contract. With the contract’s approval process ongoing, it would not be appropriate to publish the outcome of the evaluation. Independent programme evaluations, to assess delivery success against agreed benefits, will continue throughout the life of the Armed Forces Recruiting Service.

The approvals process is due to be completed in early 2025. Following this, the contract will be awarded and the successful bidder announced. This is expected in February 2025.

The implementation of the AFRP has been phased to reduce the risks to service delivery.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 17 December 2024, to Questions 19639, 19640, 19641, 19642 and 19643.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 17 December 2024, to Questions 19639, 19640, 19641, 19642 and 19643.