Ministry of Defence

The establishment of Military Intelligence Services (MIS) is being delivered within existing Departmental resource, and a limited number of new military posts are being established to enable and sustain the MIS programme as it progresses toward Full Operational Capability. MIS will be led by the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

It is for the US to answer questions about the specifics of their own National Security Strategy. The UK shares the US’s objectives of bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, strengthening Euro-Atlantic security, burden sharing through NATO and increased defence spending, which are all set out in our Strategic Defence Review. The Defence Secretary discussed this when he met with US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, in December. Our commitment to NATO and to European security is ironclad.

As the hon. Member is aware I have directed a Ministerial review that covers elements of his question. I will update the House in due course.

Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) was announced on 5 November 2025 by the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry. IOC was not declared by General Dynamics.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 98364 on 17 December 2025, which remains extant:

The Ministry of Defence continually assesses its current and planned capabilities to ensure that it is appropriately equipped to face any adversary.

The CV90 was one of the vehicles considered during the competition for the Scout Specialist Vehicle. An evaluation has not occurred since the Ajax contract was awarded.

Current capabilities which would be used to defeat cruise missiles, drone swarms and ballistic missiles include existing Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force capabilities. Type 45 destroyers, Ground Based Air Defence, Combat Air platforms and supporting air defence sensing and command and control, as well as Counter-Uncrewed Air System capabilities would all play a part in a response.

His Majesty’s Government announced a £1 billion UK spend on Integrated Air and Missile Defence in the Strategic Defence Review which will shape future Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability. Further announcement on Integrated Air and Missile Defence investment will be made within the Defence Investment Plan.

We have also recently approved £318 million for dragonfire which will help support protection against air threats with the first system being installed on a type 45 destroyer in 2027.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to the hon, Member for Newton Abbott (Martin Wrigley) on 1 September 2025 to Question 70223.

Discussions with potential international partners remain commercially sensitive, and it would not be appropriate to provide details of any prospective proceeds while these engagements are ongoing.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will determine how Defence intends to realise the vision of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). We are working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan and we will publish it as soon as it's ready.

I’m sure the hon. Member will appreciate the scale of the decisions that we need to make. He will also appreciate the scale of the problems that we face, including those to do with a programme of the last Government’s that over-committed, and was underfunded and unsuited to meeting the threats that we will face in the future.

As confirmed in the Spending Review (SR) 2025, this Government has a fully funded path to reaching 2.6% NATO qualifying defence spending by 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% by the end of the next Parliament, when fiscal and economic conditions allow. We will set budgets for the next Spending Review period at SR27. The NATO Defence Investment Pledge will be reviewed by NATO Allies in 2029.

As has been the case under successive administrations, the allocation of official Ministerial residences, including Admiralty House, is determined by the Prime Minister on the grounds of security or to enable Ministers to better perform their official duties. During the period from September to November 2024, the Secretary of State for Defence occupied Admiralty House on a time-limited basis. The property was used on a second residence basis.

It is vital we utilise defence as an engine for innovation and growth including investing in novel technologies. With further investment from this Government, innovation will thrive in every region and nation of the United Kingdom.

Drones, including unmanned aerial systems, are integral to the modern way of warfighting, exemplified in the lessons learnt from the war in Ukraine. The Strategic Defence Review announced a doubling in autonomy investment in this Parliament, taking total Defence investment in autonomy to circa £4 billion.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the Integrated Force.

While the Department continues to work flat out to finalise the DIP, delivery continues, for example progressing always-on munitions factories, delivering the Defence Housing Strategy and Defence Industrial Strategy, and securing agreements to export Typhoon Jets to Türkiye and Type 26 Frigates to Norway. In 2025 we secured over £20 billion in defence exports to allies, expected to be the highest since records began over 40 years ago.

The Department has signed more than 1,000 major defence contracts since July 2024, including 86% with British-based businesses, and spent more than £31 billion with UK industry last year – an above inflation increase in spending.

The Ministry of Defence's delivery of drones to Ukraine is not included in the Department's procurement totals.

13 RAVEN air-defence systems have now been provided to Ukraine, giving Ukrainian units the ability to rapidly defend themselves against Russian aerial threats.

Two prototype GRAVEHAWK air-defence systems have been delivered to Ukraine so far. Of the additional 15 GRAVEHAWK systems on contract, the first batch will be delivered shortly, and will reinforce Ukraine's ability to protect key infrastructure from Russia's deep-strike barrages.

Under the Armed Forces Covenant, organisations are encouraged to make voluntary pledges to support Service personnel, Veterans and their families. However, insurance provision is a matter for private companies, and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not have the authority to direct or mandate their commercial decisions.

The MOD continues to engage with industry and promote best practice through the Covenant framework of voluntary pledges and the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, encouraging businesses to remove barriers and ensure fair treatment for the Armed Forces community.

The MOD does not provide financial or legal advice, and neither can we take responsibility for individual financial decisions. Personnel who require such advice are directed by their Unit HR staffs to a list of Services Insurance and Investment Advisory Panel (SIIAP) approved independent financial advisers. However, personnel are, of course, free to use the services of any independent financial adviser.

The safety of our Service personnel remains a top priority for the Ministerial team and the Department.

Investigations into Ajax and a Ministerial review remain ongoing. The investigation teams are conducting their work thoroughly and at pace and they must be given the time and space required to ensure that all information and evidence is considered.

A further update will be provided in due course.

Defence is ready to respond to any potential threats and take necessary steps to protect the UK's national interest. Defence will not shy away from robust action to protect Britain; with our NATO allies, we are strengthening our response to ensure that Russian ships and aircraft cannot operate in secrecy near UK or NATO territory.

The Royal Navy constantly monitors activity in and around UK waters and is ready and willing to respond if required, with ships held at high readiness under existing maritime security response plans. The Royal Navy is working closely across Government and with our international Allies to secure the waters and critical undersea infrastructure in and around the UK. HMG's centre of excellence for maritime security, the Joint Maritime Security Centre monitors our critical national infrastructure for potential threats. The Royal Navy also patrols UK waters with Maritime Patrol Aircraft and the Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance programme and continues to invest in new capabilities.

This includes responding to the Yantar, a Russian ship used for gathering intelligence and mapping to threaten our critical national underwater infrastructure and pose a threat to our way of life. During the Yantar's most recent deployment in and around the UK's exclusive economic zone, she was continuously and closely monitored by Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and the RAF's P-8s. Defence has also directed a change in the Royal Navy's posture, so that we can more closely track and robustly respond to the threats from this vessel and many others. Such actions have previously included surfacing a Royal Navy submarine - strictly as a deterrent measure - to make clear that we monitor every move.

The Defence Investment Plan outcome will inform any update to F-35 procurement timelines.

All criteria for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) were met on 23 July 2025 and following a period of review, IOC was declared by the Army on 15 September 2025.

I have put in place a Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme, which will assess how effective the Department has been at implementing the actions of previous reviews, and seeking anything further that is required regarding safety.

It will be conducted by experts who are not part of the AJAX programme, including Malcolm Chalmers, to provide a more independent view. It will be overseen by me and report to the Defence Secretary. It will be conducted at pace, but it will not be rushed.

This Government is committed to waiving visa fees for non-UK veterans, including Commonwealth citizens, who have served for four or more years, and their dependants. We are working closely with the Home Office to deliver this commitment.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) hold a crucial place in UK defence. They are the backbone of the UK economy and are vital to delivering the innovation, expertise and agility that we need now and in the future. This is recognised in the Defence Industrial Strategy, as well as the Department’s Social Value policy.

Support through the new Office for Small Business Growth will be available to SMEs in the Yeovil constituency. The Office’s offering will be across the country and utilising effective digital tools, enabling small businesses to connect with the Office regardless of location. The Office stands up shortly.

We are also introducing a new SME Commercial Pathway as part of our broader acquisition transformation. Through this pathway, Defence will increase the number of opportunities for SMEs, and make our contracting processes simpler, less onerous and faster.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to Question 96241 on 10 December 2025.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-02/96241

The Department aims to deliver the first elements of the Digital Targeting Web, or a ‘Minimal Viable Product’, in 2026. The detail of these first deliverables is being defined now, but in outline will consist of the digitisation of selected targeting processes to deliver increased scale, speed and precision. Plans will be continually developed and upgraded to respond to emerging threats and adjusted as necessary.

No target date will be given for the full implementation of the Digital Targeting Web. This is because to be competitive, the UK must continually adapt and develop its ability to target, and this will require constant evolution.

The Department does not currently track the use of aluminium within the supply chain. Following the recent publication of the Critical Minerals Strategy, of which aluminium is included, the Department will be scoping the best way to build this into the monitoring process that are already taking place.

The Gravehawk air defence system is a bespoke system developed for Ukraine, jointly funded by the UK and Denmark, that uses the Ukrainian R-73/AA-11 air-to-air missile. Gravehawk is primarily intended to defend against Russian drones, but will also offer some capability against fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and potentially cruise missiles.

The Raven air defence system is a bespoke system developed for Ukraine, funded by the UK, that uses the RAF's AIM-132 ASRAAM air-to-air missile. Raven is primarily intended to defend against Russian drones, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, with some capability against cruise missiles.

The new uncrewed helicopter is part of the Royal Navy's move towards a future 'hybrid air wing' which includes Project PROTEUS. PROTEUS is a project funded by UK Defence Innovation for the development of a heavy-lift vertical take-off and landing uncrewed aerial system.

The new uncrewed helicopter is part of the Royal Navy's move towards a future 'hybrid air wing' which includes Project PROTEUS. PROTEUS is a project funded by UK Defence Innovation for the development of a heavy-lift vertical take-off and landing uncrewed aerial system.

The Royal Navy will have seven frigates in service, of which one (HMS KENT) is currently undergoing planned deep maintenance. The new Type 26 and Type 31 frigates are in build in Scotland currently.

The Ministry of Defence has announced Atlantic Bastion – the Royal Navy's programme to create an advanced hybrid naval force to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing threat posed by Russia.

Atlantic Bastion will see ships, submarines, aircraft and unmanned vessels connected through AI-powered acoustic detection technology and integrated into a digital targeting web. Atlantic Bastion will enable the Armed Forces to find, track and, if required, act against adversaries with unprecedented effectiveness across vast areas of ocean. It represents a generational shift in capability and dominance in the North Atlantic.

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to Question HL11137 on 4 November 2025.

With design work already underway, the Department intends to place a contract for the manufacture of the floating docks following production of the technical specification and upon completion of a procurement process.

While not formally under the scope of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the analogous shipbuilding sector is well placed to participate in an upcoming procurement for the floating docks. As such, the National Shipbuilding Office has been consulted as part of the next investment decision point. Until the outcome of that next investment decision point is known, it is too early to provide information on job creation.

With design work already underway, the Department intends to place a contract for the manufacture of the floating docks following production of the technical specification and upon completion of a procurement process.

While not formally under the scope of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the analogous shipbuilding sector is well placed to participate in an upcoming procurement for the floating docks. As such, the National Shipbuilding Office has been consulted as part of the next investment decision point. Until the outcome of that next investment decision point is known, it is too early to provide information on job creation.

With design work already underway, the Department intends to place a contract for the manufacture of the floating docks following production of the technical specification and upon completion of a procurement process.

While not formally under the scope of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the analogous shipbuilding sector is well placed to participate in an upcoming procurement for the floating docks. As such, the National Shipbuilding Office has been consulted as part of the next investment decision point. Until the outcome of that next investment decision point is known, it is too early to provide information on job creation.

With design work already underway, the Department intends to place a contract for the manufacture of the floating docks following production of the technical specification and upon completion of a procurement process.

While not formally under the scope of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the analogous shipbuilding sector is well placed to participate in an upcoming procurement for the floating docks. As such, the National Shipbuilding Office has been consulted as part of the next investment decision point. Until the outcome of that next investment decision point is known, it is too early to provide information on job creation.

The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme was established by the Victims Payments Regulations Act 2020 and is run by the independent Victims Payment Board, administered by on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive. Further information is available on https://www.nidirect.gov.uk

The deadline for applications has been extended by two years and will now close on 31 August 2026. The scheme continues to be promoted in Northen Ireland through the veterans’ support network.

The Department's munitions spend has been published in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 for the year ended 31 March 2025, published 4 Nov 2025, also shows munition expenditure of £1.4 billion for financial year 2024 and £1.7 billion for financial year 2025. The accounts for 2025-26 will be published in the usual way.

Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) announced in SDR 2025, stated that it should be established by February 2026. Further announcements relating to its launch, leadership framework, location and staffing will be made in conjunction with its opening.

Issues of noise and vibration were recognised in mid-2020, with a stop notice issued in June 2021. All dynamic movement and transition activity was halted whilst the programme underwent a significant reset. The Army resumed training on Ajax in 2023 and paused later again in 2025.

This information is not held centrally and therefore can not be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

The table below details the average repair response times for Emergency, Urgent and Routine maintenance tasks by Ministry of Defence (MOD) contractors for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in the UK in November 2025:

Single Living Accommodation (SLA)

The table below details the average repair response by MOD contractors for Single Living Accommodation across the UK Built Estate in November 2025:

Contractor performance for both SFA and SLA meets the Key Performance Indicators for response times as set out in the contacts.