Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 31, what uncrewed systems swarming capability do each of the services currently have in order to enable Taskforce RAID to drive a step-change.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Taskforce is working on four core ‘challenge sets’, identified by the Military Commands, to deliver end-to-end advantage to the Integrated Force, one of which is delivering operational impact by using ‘swarms’ of AI-enabled uncrewed systems.

Defence, including the Military Commands, has several projects exploring uncrewed swarming systems at various stages, from experimentation to proof of concept. These projects are being supported by the Taskforce, which is accelerating the development and fielding of advanced swarming capabilities across Defence to deliver a step-change in mass, coordination and operational effectiveness. One key example the Taskforce is supporting is Project BEEHIVE, a joint endeavour between the Royal Navy and UK Defence Innovation to deliver 20 uncrewed surface vessels to the Surface Flotilla and Commando Force.

Details of other specific capabilities are withheld as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 35, what applications are being developed as part of the Land AI C2 programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Land AI C2 programme referenced in paragraph 35 of the Defence Investment Plan remains in the concept development phase. As work is at an early stage, the specific applications to be developed have not yet been determined.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project IRIS.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 9 September 2025, to Question 73563 which remains extant.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-08-29/73563

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, Table 6: Spending on the Land Domain, what is the breakdown of a) projects and b) proportion of funding allocated to each project from the £160 million against Personal Weapons and Equipment.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Following publication of the Defence Investment Plan, work to finalise the detailed allocation of funding across the Land Domain personal weapons and equipment portfolio remains ongoing. However, I can confirm that this investment will support the delivery of a range of personal equipment, including body armour, ballistic plates, weapon sights, night vision equipment and clothing. It will also support longer-term plans to establish domestic production of small arms.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 73, by what year he plans to join the NATO Dual Capable Aircraft nuclear mission.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The delivery profile and date of F-35A aircraft is subject to negotiation between the UK and multinational Joint Program Office, but the UK anticipates taking delivery of the next batch of F-35 aircraft from the early 2030s. This will include 12 F-35As, which will allow the UK to join NATO’s Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) mission.

We will continue to work closely with the US, whose nuclear weapons are allocated to the NATO DCA mission, and our other NATO Allies on the timeline for doing so.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 62, what is the Planning Assumption for Service Entry for the Precision Strike Missile.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As part of the Defence Investment Plan the decision has been made to join the Precision Strike Missile Development Memorandum of Understanding and invest in an initial stockpile. The Land Deep Fires programme team is now engaging with both the US and Australia to negotiate this investment decision, including the date for a Planning Assumption for Service Entry and a Minimum Deployable Capability to be delivered.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, Table 6: Spending on the Land Domain, what the full scope is of the £1.5 billion against Ground Based Air Defence.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The £1.5 billion provision identified for Ground Based Air Defence within the Defence Investment Plan represents funding allocated to enhance the Army's air defence capability. Work is ongoing to finalise the detailed scope and programme breakdown associated with this investment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2026, to question 15530 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, by what date does he expect delivery schedules to be agreed.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The next deliveries will be decided by autumn 2026 in consultation with the Joint Program Office.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, Table 6: Spending on the Land Domain, what the full scope is of the £1.1 billion against Apache Helicopters.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The £1.1 billion identified in the Defence Investment Plan for Apache helicopters represents investment across the capability, including training and support arrangements, weapons procurement, capability upgrades, spiral development and obsolescence management.

This investment will ensure the Army's AH-64E Apache fleet remains an effective and modern battlefield capability, including enhancements to interoperability and integration with emerging technologies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2026 to question 15401 on Type 45 Destroyers, what financial provision has been made in the Defence Investment Plan for a Type 45 Life Extension Programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan has allocated a specific funding line within this parliament to conduct a study on the transition between Type 45 and the Hybrid Navy Maritime Air Defence capability, including whether a life extension will be required. As previously stated in the answer to the original question, this will be assessed in 2027-28.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 62, what the breakdown is of the £1.1 billion allocated to Challenger 3.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The £1.1 billion allocation identified in the Defence Investment Plan supports delivery of the Challenger 3 programme. A detailed breakdown of individual contracts and associated costs is commercially sensitive, and disclosure would prejudice the commercial interests of the Department and its suppliers.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the answer of 21 January 2026 to question 105107 on Artillery, what progress he has made on establishing a timeline for replacing the L118 105mm Light Gun by 2030.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

An assessment of the future light fires capability requirement remains ongoing. No decisions have yet been taken on a replacement for the L118 105mm Light Gun, including the timeline for any replacement capability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 108, by what is the delivery and rollout timeline for the new technology from the Phoenix Partnership.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Work is ongoing to improve the transfer of healthcare information; Defence Medical Command (DMedC) is working towards greater interoperability with NHS systems and the electronic transfer of medical records from DMedC to NHS GPs. The aspiration is to ensure seamless care between Defence and civilian health systems, whether joining, serving or leaving the Armed Forces.

Under Programme CORTISONE, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a £7.8 million contract to Leeds software company, The Phoenix Partnership, to provide a modern electronic healthcare records system, called SystmOne, for the Armed Forces. This will digitalise military medical records and integrate MOD systems with the NHS.

The Phoenix Partnership is contracted to begin the initial roll out in 2027 and deliver full connectivity with the four NHS nations in 2028.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 108, what progress has he made in integrating military medical records with the NHS for the first time.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Work is ongoing to improve the transfer of healthcare information; Defence Medical Command (DMedC) is working towards greater interoperability with NHS systems and the electronic transfer of medical records from DMedC to NHS GPs. The aspiration is to ensure seamless care between Defence and civilian health systems, whether joining, serving or leaving the Armed Forces.

Under Programme CORTISONE, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a £7.8 million contract to Leeds software company, The Phoenix Partnership, to provide a modern electronic healthcare records system, called SystmOne, for the Armed Forces. This will digitalise military medical records and integrate MOD systems with the NHS.

The Phoenix Partnership is contracted to begin the initial roll out in 2027 and deliver full connectivity with the four NHS nations in 2028.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 91, what is the (a) location and (b) construction timeline of each of the six new munitions and energetics factories.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes, (James MacCleary) to Question 9886 on 23 June 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 50, by what year does he plan to introduce the new Hybrid Navy Maritime Air Defence system.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 15397 on 10 July 2026.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-02/15397

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, page 26, how much he has budgeted for investment in weapons and sensor payloads for underwater drones as part of AUKUS Pillar 2.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The AUKUS Pillar II Signature Project on cutting-edge payloads and enabling systems for uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) will be funded from within the £1.3 billion investment to accelerate the Royal Navy's use of autonomous and uncrewed systems, and £1.2 billion investment in wider Underwater Warfare, set out in the Defence Investment Plan. It builds on the existing funding lines from the Anti-Submarine Warfare Spearhead programme, and wider funding for Maritime Combat Systems.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 83, what investment in ‘space as a service’ options does he intend to make.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan states that the Department will utilise modern technology through different procurement routes, including investment in “space as a service” options alongside allies, to support future space capabilities. The Department is exploring a range of options across the Own, Collaborate and Access framework, ensuring that future capability decisions deliver the operational outcomes required by Defence while providing value for money for the taxpayer. The Department will continue to keep its requirements under review as part of the development of future space capabilities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 83, for what reason did he not proceed with the SKYNET 6 Narrowband Satellite System.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

A decision was taken to reprioritise elements of the SKYNET programme to ensure continued delivery of assured and resilient satellite communications, focusing investment on capabilities that offer the greatest benefit and deliverability within the available resources/timeframe. Opportunities will be sought to exploit emerging technologies and a range of nationally separable, allied collaborative and commercial solutions will be investigated to meet future capability requirements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 25, by what date in 2026 will the Defence-wide Secret Cloud minimum viable product be delivered.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence-wide Secret Cloud Minimem Viable Product is scheduled for 18 September 2026, subject to approval by the National Classified Cloud Executive Committee (NCCEC).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 93, what is the scope of the investment in new gun ammunition for the Type 31.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Work is underway to provide ammunition for the Type 31 frigates gun systems, the precise scope, timing and value of individual ammunition procurements are subject to commercial considerations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, High Readiness Forces, what is the full scope of CAIN.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Project CAIN is delivering a tactical communications and information system for 16 Air Assault Brigade, the core of the UK's Global Response Force. It will provide a rapidly deployable, resilient and high-capacity communications network to support command and control, situational awareness, information exchange and connectivity during very high readiness operations.

The initial capability is based on elements of the proven UK Commando Force Project EVE system, adapted to meet the operational requirements of 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, High Readiness Forces, what projects fall within the scope of investment in personal weapons referred to.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The continued investment referred to in the Defence Investment Plan is the replacement personal weapon system for the Army under Project GRAYBURN which 16 air Assault Brigade will receive alongside the remainder of the Army. This is in addition to the specialist personal weapons procured for the Commando Force and Rangers, which are now covered by full support contracts. These will be combined with the enhanced generation of surveillance and target acquisition equipment that are critical to increasing lethality.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what upgrades and enhancements to the Typhoon force a) have been delivered and b) are within the scope of the Typhoon Long Term Evolution programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The RAF Typhoon fleet has undergone a number of upgrades since entering service. As the backbone of combat air capability, the Defence Investment Plan confirmed the UK’s commitment to continue upgrading Typhoon over the coming decade. This includes a commitment to the Eurofighter Typhoon Long Term Evolution (LTE) programme, a mid-life technology programme that will enable the Typhoon to maintain its operational edge into the 2040s.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 12, what progress has he made in partnering jobcentre staff with military personnel to enhance career and training advice for people looking for a career in the Armed Forces.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is working closely with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to improve the support available through Jobcentre Plus for people interested in Armed Forces careers.

Local relationships already exist between Jobcentres, Armed Forces Careers Offices and Armed Forces Champions. Building on the agreement announced in February 2026, DWP and MOD are working to strengthen how these relationships support jobseekers to access clear information about Armed Forces roles, training routes and career opportunities, including in engineering, cyber, healthcare and logistics.

DWP and MOD are developing the practical implementation of this approach, including specialist training for work coaches and closer working between Jobcentres, Armed Forces Careers Offices and Armed Forces Champions with the approach being piloted in the West Midlands. This will help ensure jobseekers receive more informed and consistent advice about Armed Forces opportunities through the Jobcentre Plus network.

This supports the ambition set out in the Defence Investment Plan to strengthen routes into Armed Forces careers. DWP and MOD will use learning from pilot activity to inform wider delivery and support informed career conversations with jobseekers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the outcome of the recent discussions on the Chagos Islands deal between the director of the Foreign Office’s overseas territories and polar directorate and the attorney general of Mauritius.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As has been the practice under successive governments, records of official-level meetings are not routinely published.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2026, to question 16169 on Jonathan Powell, if he will specify the exact start date Jonathan Powell commenced in the role as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer cited in his question.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2026, to question 15529 on Warships: Procurement, what phase is the Type 91 uncrewed missile platform currently at.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan announced at least £1.3 billion of investment in the Hybrid Navy Fleet, comprising uncrewed missile platforms (Type 91), uncrewed underwater sensing platforms (Type 92), extra-large uncrewed underwater vessels (Type 93), uncrewed radar platforms (Type 94) and a future class of Common Combat Vessel (CCV). Detailed requirements and delivery timelines remain subject to ongoing concept and assessment work. Current planning assumptions support the progressive introduction of Hybrid Navy capabilities from the early 2030s, but no specific service entry dates have yet been set for these platforms.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, chapter 3, paragraph 19, by when does he plan to deliver a national conversation campaign on defence and security.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The National Conversation is essential to promote unity of effort across society and support a whole-of-society approach to UK deterrence and defence. In many ways, the conversation has already begun, as evidenced in the Prime Minister’s statement evidence at the Liaison’s Committee on 23 March and reinforced by the Prime Minister’s remarks on 5 June, highlighting that we are living in more dangerous and volatile times with increasing state backed attacks across the UK and other countries.

This Government is committed to strengthening national preparedness and the communication of threats through the Prime Minister-led national conversation to increase public awareness of the most serious risks we face. As confirmed in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament on 14 July, the Government will launch a national resilience public awareness campaign later this year.  The Ministry of Defence is playing a key role within the programme of work, aligned Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, to facilitate a whole of society approach to defence and security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 103, in what way he will boost capacity via the implementation of a more integrated intelligence enterprise.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

In line with the Strategic Defence Review, Military Intelligence Services (MIS) will strengthen integration across Defence intelligence organisations and with partners across Government, industry and academia, enabling intelligence to be collected, analysed and shared more effectively. This will be supported by investment in critical intelligence capabilities, the accelerated adoption of advanced technologies and data-driven tools, and improved interoperability across the intelligence enterprise. MIS will also empower its people by attracting, training, educating and retaining a world-class intelligence workforce.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 104, what is the scope and scale of the investment in upgrading and consolidating Defence Intelligence purpose-built infrastructure at RAF Wyton.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

Defence will develop RAF Wyton as a modern, integrated intelligence hub through the upgrading and consolidation of purpose-built infrastructure, supporting the ambitions set out in the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Investment Plan as part of the wider modernisation of our Military Intelligence Services (MIS). The programme is intended to deliver modern, secure and more integrated facilities that enable personnel and capabilities to operate more effectively together, support the adoption of advanced digital, data and analytical capabilities, and improve collaboration across Defence and with partners.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, page 26, how many Type 94 uncrewed radar platforms does he intend to build for the Royal Navy.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan announced the development of Type 94 uncrewed radar platforms as part of the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy strategy. The number of platforms to be procured, and the construction schedules for those platforms, have not yet been determined. Detailed requirements will be considered as the programme progresses through its concept and assessment phases.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what changes to the a) regulatory and b) classification framework will be required in order to deliver the Royal Navy’s new Type 91-94 autonomous vessels.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy will always comply with the relevant legal and regulatory requirements. Work is ongoing with the relevant parties including the Defence Maritime Regulator to support the Hybrid Navy Concept.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 109, what is the a) full scope and b) breakdown of the £1.7 billion for Defence Support and Counter-CBRN.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The £1.7 billion for ‘Defence Support and Counter CBRN’ in the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) includes equipment projects managed by the National Armaments Logistic and Support organisation in National Armaments Director Group and selected other key enabling projects, such as the costs for running the British Forces Post Office, rail services and the supply of food to deployed personnel. The chapters and items in the DIP are mutually exclusive so, for example, support costs for individual platforms will appear in other chapters.

The DIP has provided an additional £50 million investment in ‘logistics support’, recognising its foundational role in enabling and sustaining the Integrated Force. This targeted investment reflects the critical importance of Defence Support in delivering the logistics, information systems, operational stocks, and enabling functions required to maintain military readiness, resilience, and effectiveness across Defence. By strengthening key support capabilities, the investment will help ensure that our Armed Forces are better equipped to generate, sustain, and deploy force elements at the readiness levels required to meet current and future operational demands, while enhancing the resilience and efficiency of the wider Defence Support enterprise.

It is not Ministry of Defence policy to comment on the exact numbers or scope of Counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear capabilities, as disclosure of such detail could undermine operational and national security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 111, what is the full scope of the enhancement of rail deployment capabilities to move the Army to anywhere in Europe faster and more efficiently.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Drawing on Joint Support Enablement investment set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Ministry of Defence intends to establish an integrated approach to international and domestic rail movements working with UK and allied industry. This framework will help enable the outload, sustainment and recovery necessary for warfighting and national defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 49, what novel funding mechanisms will be used to increase the resilience and protection of critical underwater infrastructure.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Ministry of Defence will invest £330 million over the next four years in critical underwater infrastructure protection, including enhanced capabilities for RFA PROTEUS. We will also explore opportunities to partner with industry and investors on commercially provided solutions to increase the resilience and protection of associated capabilities. The timelines associated with programme delivery remain will be determined as specific capability solutions are down selected.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 49, by what date does he plan to introduce additional specialist shipping.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Ministry of Defence will invest £330 million over the next four years in critical underwater infrastructure protection, including enhanced capabilities for RFA PROTEUS. We will also explore opportunities to partner with industry and investors on commercially provided solutions to increase the resilience and protection of associated capabilities. The timelines associated with programme delivery remain will be determined as specific capability solutions are down selected.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2026 to question 16168 on Investment: Strait of Hormuz, how much has she approved from the HMT reserve to deploy additional capabilities in the Middle East for the Multinational Hormuz Mission.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the UK and France stand ready to deploy the wider Multinational Military Mission to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions has the Defence Investors’ Advisory Group met since its formation.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We have established a Defence Investors Advisory Group (DIAG) to support the development of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS). Since its establishment, the DIAG has met on five occasions over a nine-month period. This has been supplemented by wider stakeholder engagement sessions and targeted bilateral discussions with key industry and investment partners.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the Planning Assumption for Service Entry for the Royal Navy’s new CCV class.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Hybrid Navy Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability will replace the current fleet of six Type 45 destroyers. While the Common Combat Vessel (CCV) remains in the initial stages of design, the Royal Navy’s aspiration is to sequence the arrival of the CCV and wider Hybrid Navy Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability with the out of service dates of the Type 45s in the mid-2030s onwards.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2026 to question 10063 on Intelligence Services: Recruitment, for what reason are white candidates not eligible to apply for the MI5, MI6 and GCHQ Summer Intelligence Internship.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) runs a number of internships and placement schemes. They are designed to provide insight about what it is like to work in UKIC to individuals who have particular skills and experience, want to work in a particular area, and/or are from demographics and backgrounds under-represented within UKIC. This is a lawful measure (as set out in the Equality Act 2010) used to encourage people from under-represented demographics to consider national security careers.

The eligibility criteria for specific internship schemes in UKIC are made publicly available on agency websites at the time when they are advertised. Any internship participant wishing to subsequently apply for employment with UKIC or the Civil Service is required to take part in fair and open competition, with selection based on merit.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 31, what steps will be taken to deliver advantage in denied and degraded environments.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Taskforce RAID is taking steps to deliver advantage in denied and degraded environments by improving our understanding of how adversaries operate in the electromagnetic environment, and by strengthening the UK’s ability to counter that activity. This work will support a real-time understanding of the electromagnetic environment, drawing on information from multiple sources to help deliver operational effect at a time and place of the UK’s choosing.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on developing the joint complex weapons portfolio office.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As set out in the Department's announcement of 1 April 2026, the United Kingdom and France agreed to establish a Joint Complex Weapons Portfolio Office. Work is progressing with the French Government to define, sequence and implement the most efficient arrangements required to support future UK-France Complex Weapons cooperation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 6 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, which projects on the current specified and prioritised list are yet to be started as new capability work as assessed by the Principal Accounting Officer.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government has taken difficult but necessary choices to prioritise capability that reflects modern warfare, ensuring resources are focused on what will deliver advantage in the years ahead.

The Ministry of Defence will only start new capability work on a specified and prioritised list of investments at the point each capability is demonstrably affordable and deliverable within its overall budget as assessed by the Principal Accounting Officer. The prioritised list of projects is classified, and therefore will not be made publicly available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, chapter 3, paragraph 14, does the £70 million allocation for Veterans between FY26/27 and FY29/30 include provision for waiving visa fees for spouses and children of service personnel who have served for more than four years.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 January 2026 to Question 107232.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-20/107232.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timeline is for the establishment of the Digital Targeting Web.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 5 February 2026 to Question 109315, which referred him to the answer provided to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) to Question 96241 on 10 December 2025. The Digital Targeting Web is a continually evolving ecosystem and not a capability in the traditional sense. As such, its development will be an ongoing, iterative process.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the hearing of the Defence Committee on 7 July 2026, HC 530, what plans his Department has to accelerate the delivery of the Digital Targeting Web.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 5 February 2026 to Question 109315, which referred him to the answer provided to him to Question 96241 on 10 December 2025. The Digital Targeting Web is a continually evolving ecosystem and not a capability in the traditional sense. As such, its development will be an ongoing, iterative process, therefore pace of delivery will be a natural function of contemporary requirements or demands supported by resource.

Found: LUKE POLLARD MP MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE READINESS AND INDUSTRY Ben Obese-Jecty