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Written Question
NATO: EU Countries
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: Kevin Bonavia (Labour - Stevenage)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with NATO allies on strengthening European security.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

We regularly engage with NATO and our Allies on strengthening Euro-Atlantic security. The Prime Minister met the NATO Secretary General on 3 February, underlining our unshakeable commitment to the Alliance. European Allies must take greater responsibility for our own security, spending more and producing more. That is the message the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary continue to deliver to our Allies.


Written Question
Eastern Europe: Armed Forces
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the presence of UK troops as part of the NATO’s Exercise Steadfast Dart 25 in Eastern Europe on the risk of escalating tensions in that region.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In an unpredictable security environment, exacerbated by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, we must remain ready to deter all threats and to defend all Allies. Exercises like Steadfast Dart enhance our collective defence and deterrence, and are planned and publicised well in advance. NATO’s actions are defensive, transparent and proportionate. NATO and Allies fully respect our international obligations, and abide by both the letter and the spirit of the OSCE’s Vienna Document on military transparency.


Written Question
Ukraine: Military Aid
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to provide military support to Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As we approach the third anniversary of this unprovoked attack, our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute.

This year the UK will give more military support to Ukraine than ever before, with a £4.5 billion boost. This will see the UK procure hundreds more air defence systems, drones and essential equipment support to sustain Ukrainian forces on the front line.

This week the Secretary of State will host the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels, galvanising international support to Ukraine.


Written Question
Navy: Guided Weapons
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on replenishing stocks of all types of Aster missile in use by the Royal Navy.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Negotiations to purchase Aster 30 have concluded and a Contract placement, via the multi-national procurement agency OCCAR, is expected imminently. The shorter-range Aster 15 munition is being phased out under the replacement programme Sea Viper CAMM.


Written Question
Boeing E-7
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the expected Minimal Deployability Capability is for the E-7 Wedgetail.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Wedgetail aircraft will be able to conduct operational tasking after entering service at Initial Operating Capability.

Further details regarding the capability of Wedgetail are withheld as release would prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.


Written Question
Ukraine: Humanitarian Aid
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21725 on Ukraine: Humanitarian Aid, when he plans to make a decision on future funding for MOAS frontline medical evacuation services in Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

We have engaged with Defence staff in Kyiv and the Ukrainian Embassy in London and it does not appear that this is a prioritised and supported request from the Ukrainian Government. While we recognise the important work the charity undertakes in-country we are unable to meet MOAS' request.

I regret the disappointment this will cause for the charity and the staff in Ukraine and recognise the impact this will have on MOAS' ability to continue to provide this capability. However, we must be led by the needs of the Ukrainian Government and ensure that UK taxpayers' money is appropriately allocated where Ukraine deems the need is greatest.


Written Question
Council of Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: Viscount Trenchard (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the value of the independence of the external scrutiny team of the Council of the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave him on 29 January 2025, to Question HL4334.


Written Question
Armed Forces: Engineers
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: Derek Twigg (Labour - Widnes and Halewood)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many engineers there were in post in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) RAF in each year since 2010.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This information is being withheld as it would prejudice the capability, security and effectiveness of UK Armed Forces, and could provide tactical advantage to hostile forces.


Written Question
Hawk Aircraft
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: David Reed (Conservative - Exmouth and Exeter East)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23535 on Hawk Aircraft, what plans his Department has for the replacement of the Hawk T1 by 2030; and whether it is his policy to maintain a sovereign jet training capability in this process.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 December 2024 for Question 16460 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois).


Written Question
Hawk Aircraft
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: David Reed (Conservative - Exmouth and Exeter East)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23535 on Hawk Aircraft, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the high fatigue index in the remaining Hawk T1 fleet on the total number of available UK-based training hours for personnel.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Hawk T1 is not employed in a flying training role. The Hawk T1 airframes are solely allocated to sustaining the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows.

As given in the answer to Question 23535, across all airframes we have retained more than sufficient overall remaining available fatigue life to ensure all Red Arrows tasking until 2030 as planned.