Ministry of Defence

We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

John Healey
Secretary of State for Defence

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Defence)

Conservative
James Cartlidge (Con - South Suffolk)
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence

Liberal Democrat
Helen Maguire (LD - Epsom and Ewell)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)

Scottish National Party
Dave Doogan (SNP - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Defence)

Green Party
Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire)
Green Spokesperson (Defence)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Baroness Goldie (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Earl of Minto (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Mark Francois (Con - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Ministers of State
Lord Coaker (Lab - Life peer)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Maria Eagle (Lab - Liverpool Garston)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Al Carns (Lab - Birmingham Selly Oak)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Luke Pollard (LAB - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Monday 1st September 2025
Select Committee Inquiry
Wednesday 2nd April 2025
AUKUS

This inquiry will examine the AUKUS partnership, a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the US and the UK which was …

Written Answers
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Armed Forces: Recruitment
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the contract for the Armed Forces Recruitment Service will include specific …
Secondary Legislation
Monday 9th June 2025
Armed Forces Act 2006 (Continuation) Order 2025
Section 382 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”) provides that the 2006 Act will expire at the …
Bills
Wednesday 6th November 2024
Armed Forces Commissioner Bill 2024-26
A Bill to establish, and confer functions on, the Armed Forces Commissioner; to abolish the office of Service Complaints Ombudsman; …
Dept. Publications
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
15:16

Ministry of Defence Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
View All Ministry of Defence Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Ministry of Defence does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Ministry of Defence has not passed any Acts during the 2024 Parliament

Ministry of Defence - Secondary Legislation

Section 382 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”) provides that the 2006 Act will expire at the end of one year beginning with the day on which the Armed Forces Act 2021 (“the 2021 Act”) was passed, unless continued in force by Order in Council in accordance with that section. The 2021 Act was passed on 15th December 2021. The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Continuation) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/1120) provided for the continuation of the 2006 Act for a period of 12 months. This Order provides for the continuation of the 2006 Act for a further period of 12 months, so that it expires at the end of 14th December 2026.
This Order amends the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme 1983 (“the Scheme”), which makes provision for the payment of pensions and allowances to, or in respect of, civilians who were killed or injured during the 1939-1945 World War.
View All Ministry of Defence Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

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Ministry of Defence has not participated in any petition debates
View All Ministry of Defence Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Defence Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Defence Committee
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Portrait
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Defence Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Derek Twigg Portrait
Derek Twigg (Labour - Widnes and Halewood)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Fred Thomas Portrait
Fred Thomas (Labour - Plymouth Moor View)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Michelle Scrogham Portrait
Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Jesse Norman Portrait
Jesse Norman (Conservative - Hereford and South Herefordshire)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Emma Lewell Portrait
Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Lincoln Jopp Portrait
Lincoln Jopp (Conservative - Spelthorne)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Alex Baker Portrait
Alex Baker (Labour - Aldershot)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Calvin Bailey Portrait
Calvin Bailey (Labour - Leyton and Wanstead)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Ian Roome Portrait
Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Mike Martin Portrait
Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee: Previous Inquiries
The Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review The Security of 5G SDSR 2015 and the Army inquiry Russia: implications for UK defence and security inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2015–16 inquiry BBC Monitoring inquiry Defence Acquisition and Procurement inquiry Awards for Valour (Protection) Bill inquiry Naval Procurement: Type 26 and Type 45 inquiry NATO Warsaw summit and Chilcot Report Work of the Department 2017 inquiry F-35 Procurement inquiry North Korea inquiry Indispensable allies: US, NATO and UK Defence relations inquiry Defence Acquisition and Procurement inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2016-17 inquiry Locally Employed Civilians inquiry The effects of BAE restructuring on UK Defence inquiry National Security Capability Review inquiry The Royal Marines and UK amphibious capability inquiry The Government’s Brexit position paper: Foreign policy, defence and development: a future partnership paper inquiry Military exercises and the duty of care: follow up inquiry Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2016 inquiry UK National Shipbuilding Strategy inquiry The indispensable ally? US, NATO and UK Defence relations inquiry Locally employed interpreters inquiry Trident missile testing inquiry Investigations into fatalities involving British military personnel inquiry SDSR 2015 and the RAF inquiry Defence industrial policy: procurement and prosperity inquiry Military Exercises and the Duty of Care: Further Follow-Up inquiry Evidence from the new Defence Secretary inquiry UK Defence and the Strait of Hormuz inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Reports and Accounts 2018-19 inquiry Procurement Update inquiry Domestic Threat of Drones inquiry UK Defence and the Far East inquiry Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2018 inquiry Work of the Service Complaints Ombudsman inquiry UK Response to Hybrid Threats inquiry INF Treaty withdrawal inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2017-18 inquiry Departmental Priorities – Post-NATO Summit inquiry Work of Defence Equipment and Support inquiry Work of the Chief of Defence Staff inquiry Mental Health and the Armed Forces, Part Two: The Provision of Care inquiry Future anti-ship missile system inquiry Statute of limitations – veterans protection inquiry UK Military Operations in Mosul and Raqqa inquiry Mechanised Infantry Vehicle Procurement inquiry Modernising Defence Programme inquiry Departmental priorities inquiry Armed forces and veterans mental health inquiry Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2017 inquiry Global Islamist Terrorism inquiry MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13 Work of the Chief of the Defence Staff MoD Supplementary Estimates 2012-13 Operations in Afghanistan Strategic Defence and Security Review & the National Security Strategy The Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Part 1: Military Casualties Operations in Libya Developing Threats to Electronic Infrastructure The Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Part 2: Accommodation Defence Implications of Possible Scottish Independence Impact on UK Defence of the proposed merger of BAE systems and EADS MoD Main Estimates 2013-14 Towards the next Defence and Security Review: Part One Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Educating Service Personnel Children Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Part 4: Service Personnel Education Defence Acquisition Defence and cyber-security UK Armed Forces Personnel and Legal Framework for Future Operations Future Army 2020 Future Maritime Surveillance Lariam inquiry Publication of the SDSR UK military operations in Syria and Iraq inquiry Shifting the Goalposts? Defence Expenditure and the 2% pledge Flexible Response? An SDSR checklist of potential threats Towards the next defence and security review: Part Three Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14 The situation in Iraq and Syria Decision-making in Defence Policy Future Force 2020 Armed Forces (Services Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill MoD Main Estimates 2014-15 Inquiry Defence Growth Partnership Ministry of Defence Mid Year Report Towards the next Defence and Security Review: Part Two: NATO Afghanistan - Camp Bastion Attack Defence Materiel Strategy Afghanistan The Armed Forces Covenant in Action Part 5: Military Casualties Pre-appointment hearing: Service Complaints Commissioner Defence contribution to the UK’s pandemic response Progress in delivering the British Army’s armoured vehicle capability Foreign Involvement in the Defence Supply Chain The Integrated Review – Threats, Capabilities and Concepts Defence and Climate Change National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh Armed Forces Readiness Future Aviation Capabilities Defence in the Grey Zone Women in the Armed Forces: Follow-Up The UK contribution to European Security The Armed Forces Covenant AUKUS NATO, US and UK Defence Relations National security and investment Beyond endurance? Military exercises and the duty of care Defence in the Arctic MoD support for former and serving personnel subject to judicial processes Defence in the Arctic (Sub-Committee) Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2018 Defence industrial policy: procurement and prosperity Departmental Priorities – Post-NATO Summit Domestic Threat of Drones Evidence from the new Defence Secretary Global Islamist Terrorism INF Treaty withdrawal UK Military Operations in Mosul and Raqqa Future anti-ship missile system Statute of limitations – veterans protection Mental Health and the Armed Forces, Part Two: The Provision of Care Work of Defence Equipment and Support Ministry of Defence Annual Reports and Accounts 2018-19 European Defence Industrial Development Programme Modernising Defence Programme Military Exercises and the Duty of Care: Further Follow-Up Procurement Update Work of the Service Complaints Ombudsman UK Defence and the Far East UK Defence and the Strait of Hormuz UK Response to Hybrid Threats Work of the Chief of Defence Staff

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the contract for the Armed Forces Recruitment Service will include specific recruitment targets for the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy.

We inherited a retention and recruitment crisis from the last administration and it is the policy of this Government to recover numbers in our Armed Forces and to grow the size of the Army. To deliver this we will be working with the new provider of the tri-service recruitment to deliver improvements in recruitment numbers.

From Full-Service Implementation in 2027, the Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) will deliver against annual recruitment targets and demand, which will be set by the three Services; the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, via the Command Recruiting Support Plan (CRSP). The CRSP is generated and approved in conjunction with the single Services with the AFRS contract containing a mechanism to adjust demand during each Recruiting Year.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will quantify his Department’s (a) underspend and (b) overspend in financial year 2024-2025.

The Department's performance against its control totals for financial year 20245-25 will be set out in its Annual Report and Accounts, which will be published shortly.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July to Question 67413 on France: Military Alliances, whether his Department recognises any distinction between strategic and sub-strategic nuclear capabilities.

The UK does not categorise nuclear weapon capabilities as either strategic or sub-strategic. The UK and NATO have said that any employment of nuclear weapons against NATO would fundamentally alter the nature of a conflict.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on the appeal with the Employment Appeals Tribunal on Armed Forces Pensions for people who served in the Territorial Army.

In reference to the Employment Tribunal of Milroy versus Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence did not agree with the judgment of the Employment Tribunal in this matter, and an appeal against the decision was lodged with the Employment Appeals Tribunal. An appeal hearing date has now been set and is due to convene on 4 December 2025. As this is an ongoing legal process we are unable to comment further at this time.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place an interim report in the House of Commons Library on the findings from the review of (a) blood and (b) urine tests taken from those servicemen who witnessed the tests in the 1950s of Britain's first nuclear weapons as soon as possible.

This Government is resetting the relationship with nuclear test veterans and those that support them, and we remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

As of 30 June 2025, officials have reviewed over 43,000 files, including files from the Merlin Database, as part of the exercise that is looking at points raised with me about some Nuclear Test Veterans' medical records.

I will update the House when we are in a position to share the findings of the exercise.

More information can be found in my statement to the House here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-06-30/hcws748

This Government continues to celebrate the stories of our nuclear veterans. Most recently the Universities of South Wales and Liverpool led a Government-funded oral history project which was published in early July.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of replacing the L3A1 socket bayonet as part of Project Grayburn.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 28 April 2025 to Question 45196.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-04-08/45196#

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's planned timetable is for awarding the contract for the New Medium Helicopter.

The New Medium Helicopter programme is an initiative to acquire a modern medium-lift support helicopter, addressing multiple rotary wing requirements to improve efficiency and operational flexibility.

All capability requirements, including the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme, are being considered as part of the Government's Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan which is due to be published later in the year. The NMH programme is currently awaiting Government approval which must be allowed to complete before a decision on contract award is made. Whilst this approval process continues, the Ministry of Defence cannot comment further.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much plutonium has been recovered as part of the Mk4A Trident warhead dismantlement programme; what proportion has been re-used in current warhead systems; where remaining material is stored; and what the total cost of the programme has been to date.

The Mk4 warhead components are being disassembled and re-used, recycled or safely disposed of at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Burghfield site, following the transition to the Mk4A warhead in 2023. The cost of disassembling our nuclear warheads and details around the reuse of components are being withheld for national security reasons.

AWE is committed to the safe and secure handling, storage and disposal of radioactive materials, and this activity is regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual cost is of the warhead dismantlement programme across Atomic Weapons Establishment sites; and what protocols are in place for the secure (a) handling, (b) storage and (c) disposal of radioactive materials.

The Mk4 warhead components are being disassembled and re-used, recycled or safely disposed of at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Burghfield site, following the transition to the Mk4A warhead in 2023. The cost of disassembling our nuclear warheads and details around the reuse of components are being withheld for national security reasons.

AWE is committed to the safe and secure handling, storage and disposal of radioactive materials, and this activity is regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of Tranche 1 Typhoons have been scrapped as of 1 July 2025.

26 of the 30 Tranche 1 Typhoon aircraft have been scrapped as of 1 July 2025; this equates to 87% of the Tranche 1 fleet.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the out-of-service date is of all (a) Tranche 1, (b) Tranche 2 and (c) Tranche 3/3A Typhoons.

The planned out-of-service dates for the RAF's fleet of Typhoon aircraft are given below:

Out of Service

Tranche 1 2027

Tranche 2 2040

Tranche 3 2040

The RAF does not have any Typhoon Tranche 3A aircraft.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Tranche (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3 and (d) 3A Typhoons are in service with the Royal Air Force.

The table below details the number of Typhoon aircraft currently in service with the Royal Air Force.

Tranche 1

Tranche 2

Tranche 3

4

67

40

The Royal Air Force does not have any Tranche 3A Typhoon aircraft.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the final fatigue index is of all remaining Royal Air Force Tranche 1 Typhoons.

The final fatigue index of the remaining Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft remains in line with the response given to Question 19681 on 21 June 2022 to the hon member for Angus (Mr Doogan).

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-06-16/19681

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what components of the Challenger 3 will have been manufactured in the UK; and what other industrial processes associated with the programme will have taken place in the UK during its (a) demonstration and (b) manufacturing phase.

The design, development and manufacture of the Challenger 3 tank is being undertaken by RBSL from its sites in Telford, Shropshire and Washington, Tyne and Wear. Challenger 3 sub-system design and manufacturing, including the fabrication of the turret structure and manufacture of the sighting systems, is being carried out by the wider UK supply chain.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Establishment Management Plan at HMNB Clyde includes actions to monitor and manage any potential discharges of radioactive material into surrounding environments.

The Establishment Management Plan (EMP) at His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde does not include actions to monitor and manage any potential discharges of radioactive material into surrounding environments. Its focus is on maintaining safe, secure, and high-quality estate, buildings, and infrastructure. Whilst the EMP is not a nuclear safety document it will be informed by, and take into consideration, regulatory requirements.

While the treatment of radioactive material is outside of the scope of the EMP, I can confirm handling radioactive substances safely and securely at HMNB Clyde are of the utmost importance. HMNB Clyde engages frequently with regulators to ensure it is discharging its responsibilities in compliance with regulations concerning the treatment of radioactive materials. There are extant Defence and independent monitoring programmes in place also.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project Wessex.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation.

Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project Hunter.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation.

Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project Cypher.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation.

Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project Gibraltar.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation.

Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project Sword.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation.

Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project Mercury.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation.

Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope is of Project Wagon.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation.

Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project Sabre.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation.

Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project Brynja.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation.

Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of infrastructure improvement works at HMNB Devonport; and whether those works involve the (a) removal, (b) containment and (c) replacement of equipment identified as radioactively contaminated.

The current estimate for the costs of infrastructure improvement works at Devonport including the Naval Base and Dockyard are £5 billion. This important activity, which includes works at HMNB Devonport and investment in Devonport Dockyard, will support the Royal Navy’s military outputs for decades to come.

These works include areas of the Nuclear Authorised and Licensed Sites at Devonport and will include the removal, upgrade and replacement of equipment/systems which have been identified as radioactive.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of planned infrastructure upgrades at Rosyth Dockyard; whether those upgrades include the (a) removal and (b) treatment of legacy radioactive materials; and how many redundant nuclear-powered submarines are docked at that facility.

The cost of planned infrastructure upgrades at Rosyth Dockyard are £340 million. The cost includes the requirement to deliver a contingent docking facility for HMS DREADNOUGHT during its sea trial period.

The Submarine Dismantling Project (SDP) includes infrastructure works at Rosyth to enable the removal and processing of all legacy radioactive waste from dismantled submarines. Activity at Rosyth has begun, with HMS Swiftsure being dismantled and a further six decommissioned nuclear submarines awaiting disposal. The above costings include the elements of the SDP that are being undertaken at Rosyth.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ares armoured vehicles have been ordered by his Department.

93 ARES vehicles have been ordered as part of the Armoured Cavalry Programme.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether anti-tank (Javelin) platoons within armoured infantry battalions will be equipped with (a) Ares or (b) Boxer.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 66728, which explains that the Army continues to undergo a combined programme of work to ensure our Land Forces will have lethality, protection and mobility to fight and win against any adversary. As part of this programme of work, the Army intends to equip anti-tank platoons with Ajax and Boxer. However, design of the full force structure remains ongoing.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring a mortar-capable variant of Ares.

No internal assessment has been made regarding the merits of procuring a mortar-capable variant of ARES.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned delivery timeline is for all variants of vehicles within the Armoured Cavalry Programme between (a) 21 July and 31 December 2025 and (b) 2026 and beyond.

The Armoured Cavalry Programme plans to deliver a further 55 platforms between July 2025 and December 2025. 182 platforms will be delivered by the end of 2025. A breakdown by variant is provided below.

AJAX

26

ARES

5

APOLLO

1

ATLAS

10

ATHENA

13

ARGUS

0

It is anticipated that a further 110 platforms will be delivered in 2026, with the remaining 297 platforms delivered by 2028.

To ensure alignment to the Army fielding plan and Defence priorities, the variant mix of vehicles is reviewed and agreed annually.

The programme remains on track to deliver all 589 vehicles by September 2029 as contracted.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his oral statement of 17 July 2025 on Ukraine, Official Report, col 475, how many and what proportion of the drones supplied to Ukraine were made by British companies.

Where the UK's drone industry can meet Ukraine's drone requirements, the Ministry of Defence sources from UK industry, and this is true of the majority of the spend on drone procurements for Ukraine.

As stated by the Defence Secretary at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 4 June, where he pledged £350 million investment into drones this financial year, the majority of the spend is with British companies. The proportion of drone spending spent with UK suppliers has varied year on year but this financial year we are on track to spend over 70% through UK suppliers.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of the drones that have been supplied to Ukraine were manufactured in the UK.

Where the UK's drone industry can meet Ukraine's drone requirements, the Ministry of Defence sources from UK industry, and this is true of the majority of the spend on drone procurements for Ukraine.

As stated by the Defence Secretary at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 4 June, where he pledged £350 million investment into drones this financial year, the majority of the spend is with British companies. The proportion of drone spending spent with UK suppliers has varied year on year but this financial year we are on track to spend over 70% through UK suppliers.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of procuring an order of Tranche 4 Typhoons for the Royal Air Force.

The 2025 Strategic Defence Review described the increasingly demanding threat environments in which UK Defence will operate. The Defence Investment Plan will analyse this changing threat and determine our future mix of 4th and 5th generation combat aircraft, in order to provide the UK the most relevant and capable Combat Air capability. As part of the four Partner-Nation Eurofighter Programme, the UK is committed to upgrades to ensure the Typhoon aircraft remains competitive into the future, including the introduction of the European Common Radar Standard 2 radar.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of the number of buildings owned by his Department that have asbestos.

We take the health and safety of our Service personnel and defence employees extremely seriously and have robust procedures around managing asbestos which comply with Health and Safety regulations.

We are responsible for circa 1,967 sites and each building with confirmed asbestos is listed on the relevant site asbestos register. This data is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many buildings managed by his Department have been found to have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation determined what buildings on Ministry of Defence land might potentially contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) material based on the period in which they were constructed and their construction type.

Surveys are currently being conducted on all buildings which may have been constructed using RAAC.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of prioritising manufacturers based in the UK for (a) defence and (b) aerospace procurements.

The Ministry of Defence is actively prioritising UK businesses and manufacturing through its Defence Industrial Strategy, aiming to boost economic growth and national security. This strategy focuses on supporting domestic businesses, fostering innovation, and enhancing the UK's sovereign defence capabilities, including in the aerospace sector (eg GCAP, Typhoon upgrades).

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of dismantling the pressurised water reactors from redundant submarines at (a) Devonport Dockyard and (b) Rosyth Dockyard; and what ongoing collaboration exists between the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in relation to this work.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 65493 from the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire) on 14 July 2025.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-07-07/65493#

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 67746 on Military Aircraft, whether any aircraft leasing contracts include the provision of ground crew services.

Yes.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
17th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to improve the domestic (a) development, (b) production and (c) delivery of autonomous systems for service in the Royal Air Force.

The Strategic Defence Review recognised that the RAF must stay at the leading edge of Combat Air's evolution, through the transition from exclusively crewed Combat Air platforms to a Future Combat Air System (FCAS) with a mix of crewed, uncrewed, and increasingly autonomous platforms, integrated into the UK's digital targeting web.

Both Protector and Stormshroud, the RAF’s first ACP, entered service this year, the latter being an excellent example of how the RAF is taking modernising its approach to autonomous systems, by combining expertise of the RAF, the Governments Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and UK industry.

The RAF are committed to the exploitation of autonomy and other complimentary technologies in a range of systems, delivering effects across the Air domain. The pace of adoption will be facilitated by the Defence Investment Plan, due for publication later this year.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
14th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of procurement contracts were awarded to UK companies in the 2024-25 financial year.

Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023 above £12,000 inc VAT are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service. This includes a note of the winning supplier. (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search).
Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
9th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of reliance on Chinese-made drones on levels of risk for defence procurement.

The Ministry of Defence regularly reviews its critical supply chains to identify and mitigate risks to defence capability.

The Department does not procure Chinese manufactured drones for use in operations.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
7th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of contracts awarded by his Department were given to (a) UK and (b) non-UK companies in the last 12 months.

The Department records contract awards based on the administrative address provided in the supplier’s successful tender. However, the actual delivery of goods or services may be carried out by an international parent company. To ensure accurate reporting of economic impact and regional value within the UK, we compile contractual statistics based on the location where the services are delivered.

Between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, the Department awarded a total of 2,674 contracts, with a combined value of £23 billion. Of these:

  • 1,244 contracts, valued at £17 billion, were awarded to suppliers based in the UK.
  • 174 contracts, worth £3 billion, were awarded to suppliers located outside the UK.

The remaining 1,256 contracts, representing £3 billion, are currently undergoing reconciliation to determine the actual location of the supply base.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
24th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 60432 on Ajax Vehicles, if she will list the journalists invited to Bovington to (a) attend and (b) observe activities relating to the Ajax armoured vehicle programme since 1 February 2025.

Journalists are routinely present at events where Ajax is demonstrated and/or discussed. Ajax is currently in the manufacturing and fielding platforms to the Army phase of the programme. Since 1 February 2025, there have been no Ajax-specific events to which to invite journalists.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Minister for Defence Procurement plans to respond to the hon. Member for South Suffolk's letter dated 1 July 2025.

I responded to the hon. Member’s letter of 1 July 2025 on 29 July 2025. This was within 20 working days of receipt, in accordance with longstanding policy.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Investment Plan will be published before the rise of the House on 18 December 2025.

We expect to publish the Defence Investment Plan this autumn, before the Christmas recess period.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the relocation of Armed Forces personnel causing families to lose their place in the waiting list for NHS dental provision in their new location; and what requirements the Armed Forces Covenant makes on this matter.

The Armed Forces Covenant requires organisations to give due regard to the principle that Service personnel and their families should face no disadvantage when developing, delivering, and reviewing policies and decisions that may impact the Armed Forces community. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) remains committed to supporting the Armed Forces community under the Armed Forces Covenant and as announced by the Prime Minister in June, work is currently underway to put the Covenant fully into law. This means that the Legal Duty will apply across 14 broad policy areas, increasing from three, applying also to Central Government, Devolved Governments and at a local level.

The MOD recognises that, while there are challenges in accessing NHS dental care nationally, these difficulties are often exacerbated by the mobile nature of Service life. Defence actively works in close partnership with the NHS and other government departments to address these issues and explore solutions to improve access to essential services for Service families. Families of Service personnel who are currently receiving dental treatment in the UK and are about to be mobilised, or are returning from overseas can contact NHS England at england.armedforceshealth@nhs.net for advice on continuity of care.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel have received the tax free operational allowance in each of the last five financial years.

The number of Service personnel who have received tax free operational allowance in each of the last five financial years including the financial year 2025-26 to date, can be found in the table below.

Financial Year

Number of Employees

2020-21

5336

2021-22

5283

2022-23

3015

2023-24

2108

2024-25

2525

2025-26 to date

435

Service personnel on deployed operations in the following Specified Operational Locations (SOL) qualify for the payment of Operational Allowance:

Chad (all locations)

Egypt (Sinai only)

Iraq (all locations)

Mali (all locations)

Somalia (all locations)

South Sudan (all locations)

Democratic Republic of Congo (Goma only)

Lebanon (Naquora only) – backdated to 7 Oct 23

Red Sea (within operational areas) – backdated to 19 Oct 23

I am withholding the names of some locations for the purpose of safeguarding national security, as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel have received the tax free operational allowance in the 2025-26 financial year.

The number of Service personnel who have received tax free operational allowance in each of the last five financial years including the financial year 2025-26 to date, can be found in the table below.

Financial Year

Number of Employees

2020-21

5336

2021-22

5283

2022-23

3015

2023-24

2108

2024-25

2525

2025-26 to date

435

Service personnel on deployed operations in the following Specified Operational Locations (SOL) qualify for the payment of Operational Allowance:

Chad (all locations)

Egypt (Sinai only)

Iraq (all locations)

Mali (all locations)

Somalia (all locations)

South Sudan (all locations)

Democratic Republic of Congo (Goma only)

Lebanon (Naquora only) – backdated to 7 Oct 23

Red Sea (within operational areas) – backdated to 19 Oct 23

I am withholding the names of some locations for the purpose of safeguarding national security, as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the specified operational locations are which qualify service personnel to receive the Operational Allowance.

The number of Service personnel who have received tax free operational allowance in each of the last five financial years including the financial year 2025-26 to date, can be found in the table below.

Financial Year

Number of Employees

2020-21

5336

2021-22

5283

2022-23

3015

2023-24

2108

2024-25

2525

2025-26 to date

435

Service personnel on deployed operations in the following Specified Operational Locations (SOL) qualify for the payment of Operational Allowance:

Chad (all locations)

Egypt (Sinai only)

Iraq (all locations)

Mali (all locations)

Somalia (all locations)

South Sudan (all locations)

Democratic Republic of Congo (Goma only)

Lebanon (Naquora only) – backdated to 7 Oct 23

Red Sea (within operational areas) – backdated to 19 Oct 23

I am withholding the names of some locations for the purpose of safeguarding national security, as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)