Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when carrier-based F35 aircraft will be equipped with the latest air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
F-35 aircraft are already equipped with the latest air-air weapons ASRAAM and AMRAAM and the latest air-to-surface weapon Paveway IV.
For future munitions I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided on 17 November 2025 to Questions 87990, 87995 and 88005 in the House of Commons.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-04/87990
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Power Improvement Programme will be completed for all Type 45 destroyers.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, in the House of Commons on 11 December 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge), in response to Question 96770 about the forward plans for the Type 45 Destroyer's Power Improvement Project.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-03/96770
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the Defence Investment Plan before Christmas.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will determine how Defence intends to realise the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review and it is currently due for publication this year.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to increase the number of operational Royal Navy warships in this financial year.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Currently the Royal Navy has 52 Surface Ships in service, held at the appropriate level of readiness to meet operational commitments.
The Royal Navy continues to modernise its Fleet through careful management of a surface fleet transition plan to ensure the highest priority outputs are maintained through this decade and the next. We are replacing our Type 23 Frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 Frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 Frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence on the global stage. The Fleet Solid Support ships similarly represent the renewal of RFA solid support capability providing the ammunition, stores and spares to sustain global operations.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many one-star and above officers were serving in the military on 1 June, and how many civil servants of a grade equivalent to ‘one star’ and above were employed in the Civil Service in the Ministry of Defence.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The requested data for individuals serving in the military was not gathered on the specified date. However, as of both 1 April and 1 July 2025, there were 551 military one-star officers (NATO Rank OF-6) and above.
As of 1 June 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and its four Executive Agencies - DE&S, SDA, DSTL, and UKHO - employed 518 Civil Servants at one-star equivalent grade or above. This figure includes personnel outside the Senior Civil Service but of equivalent grade, with Executive Agency grades aligned to the closest Civil Service equivalents where applicable.
Quarterly UK service personnel statistics are published on gov.uk at the following link:
www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2025
The latest MOD biannual civilian personnel report for October 2025 can be found at the following link:
www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-biannual-civilian-personnel-report-october-2025/mod-biannual-civilian-personnel-report-october-2025#further-information
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the rules have been relaxed on Sea Cadets attending memorial and ceremonial events where alcoholic drinks will be available for adults.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government has not relaxed the rules regarding Sea Cadets attending memorial and ceremonial events where alcohol is present. Safeguarding remains paramount, and existing guidance continues to ensure that cadets are appropriately supervised and that their participation in such events is managed in line with youth protection standards.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether approval has now been given for Sea Cadets to take part in rifle range shooting on the same basis as all other cadet forces; and, if so, whether new armouries will be required.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) operates in accordance with policies set by the Marine Society and Sea Cadet Charity. In doing so, SCC remain compliant with Ministry of Defence (MOD) regulations governing all cadet forces. Cadets aged 12 and over may participate in rifle range shooting under MOD cadet force conditions. Those under 12 are limited to prone air rifle use.
Rifles may be carried for ceremonial duties with formal approval, as part of the SCC’s structured advancement syllabus and drill training, in accordance with Sea Cadet Regulations. New armouries/secure rooms will be required in some locations to meet MOD standards for secure storage and sustainment of cadet weapon systems.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether approval has been given for guards formed of Sea Cadets to carry rifles on the same basis as all the other cadet forces.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) operates in accordance with policies set by the Marine Society and Sea Cadet Charity. In doing so, SCC remain compliant with Ministry of Defence (MOD) regulations governing all cadet forces. Cadets aged 12 and over may participate in rifle range shooting under MOD cadet force conditions. Those under 12 are limited to prone air rifle use.
Rifles may be carried for ceremonial duties with formal approval, as part of the SCC’s structured advancement syllabus and drill training, in accordance with Sea Cadet Regulations. New armouries/secure rooms will be required in some locations to meet MOD standards for secure storage and sustainment of cadet weapon systems.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the refit of HMS Victorious will be completed and when will it re-join the nuclear submarine fleet.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I am withholding details of when HMS VICTORIOUS will complete her refit and re-join the Fleet as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to facilitate the return of the anchor of the battleship HMS Prince of Wales to the United Kingdom to be placed in the National Memorial Arboretum.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence are currently exploring various options regarding the anchor from HMS Prince of Wales, but no final decisions have yet been made. The Malaysian authorities continue to have primacy over the investigation into the illegal salvage of the ship.