Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of (a) his Department's budget and (b) the NATO-declared spend has been spent on munitions since 5 July 2024.

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December, what percentage of the funding into drones and anti-drone weapons will be spent with British companies.

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many drones his Department plans to buy in (a) 2027, (b) 2028 and (c) 2029.

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, what percentage of the 5,400 drones bought in 2024 were bought for use by the British armed forces.

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, how many of the 5,400 drones bought in 2024 were bought after 5 July 2024.

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, whether the new uncrewed helicopter is known as Proteus.

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what will the new uncrewed helicopter be called.

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, what proportion of the 8,000 drones bought in 2026 will be supplied to Ukraine.

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December 2025, how many new staff will be employed as part of establishing the Military Intelligence Services.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December 2025, who will lead the Military Intelligence Services.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what weapons will be procured for the new uncrewed helicopter.

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

No specific effector (or weapon system) has been procured for this project yet. The project aims to determine the most effective means of countering air-to-air threats, which may or may not involve the use of a specific weapon system.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what proportion of the drone and counter-drone tech will be supplied to Ukraine.

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

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that this information is classified and not for public release.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when flight trials for Proteus will conclude.

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

The Proteus Technology Demonstrator Project (TDP) is testing the efficacy of a large, unmanned helicopter, designed from the outset to incorporate modular payloads and a high degree of autonomy, to fulfil a range of warfighting roles for the Royal Navy.

The Proteus TDP will culminate with the first flight of the air vehicle, expected to take place in January 2026. Thereafter, the Royal Navy intends to take the knowledge gained from Proteus to inform the development of an operational rotary wing platform for maritime surveillance and strike roles during the next decade.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects Proteus to be deployed.

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

The Proteus Technology Demonstrator Project (TDP) is testing the efficacy of a large, unmanned helicopter, designed from the outset to incorporate modular payloads and a high degree of autonomy, to fulfil a range of warfighting roles for the Royal Navy.

The Proteus TDP will culminate with the first flight of the air vehicle, expected to take place in January 2026. Thereafter, the Royal Navy intends to take the knowledge gained from Proteus to inform the development of an operational rotary wing platform for maritime surveillance and strike roles during the next decade.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December, what the cost is of establishing the new Military Intelligence Services.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December 2025, how many new staff will be employed as part of establishing the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Counter Intelligence Unit (DCIU) will develop in maturity to meet the threat that Defence faces, and it is planned to be fully operational in 2027. The establishment of the DCIU is being delivered within existing resources. The DCIU will be part of Defence Intelligence, and led by an appropriate member of the Senior Civil Service or Military Equivalent.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December 2025, what the cost is of establishing the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Counter Intelligence Unit (DCIU) will develop in maturity to meet the threat that Defence faces, and it is planned to be fully operational in 2027. The establishment of the DCIU is being delivered within existing resources. The DCIU will be part of Defence Intelligence, and led by an appropriate member of the Senior Civil Service or Military Equivalent.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December, when the new Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit will be fully operational.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Counter Intelligence Unit (DCIU) will develop in maturity to meet the threat that Defence faces, and it is planned to be fully operational in 2027. The establishment of the DCIU is being delivered within existing resources. The DCIU will be part of Defence Intelligence, and led by an appropriate member of the Senior Civil Service or Military Equivalent.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December 2025, who will lead the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Counter Intelligence Unit (DCIU) will develop in maturity to meet the threat that Defence faces, and it is planned to be fully operational in 2027. The establishment of the DCIU is being delivered within existing resources. The DCIU will be part of Defence Intelligence, and led by an appropriate member of the Senior Civil Service or Military Equivalent.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2025 to Question 97152 on Defence: Procurement, which Department is responsible for the Office for Small Business Growth.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 22 December 2025 to question 100492.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention of 5 January 2026, Official Report, column 63, how many of the five protections for veterans in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will apply to (a) coronial inquests and (b) subsequent criminal investigations.

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

The Government has worked closely with veterans’ groups to develop protections that apply both to Coronial Inquests and the Legacy Commission, so that veterans giving evidence as witnesses are protected regardless of which legacy mechanism they engage with.

The presumption in favour of remote evidence will apply across Coronial Inquests and Legacy Commission Inquisitorial Proceedings. The Troubles Bill also extends the right to request anonymity, currently applicable to inquests, to Legacy Commission Inquisitorial Proceedings.

The duty not to duplicate any aspect of previous investigations unless essential, the highest legal bar, will apply to all investigations and Inquisitorial Proceedings conducted by the Legacy Commission, and to coronial inquests.

As for witness welfare, the Legacy Commission is required to have regard to this in all investigations, while coroners must adhere to witness management protocols that dictate consideration of welfare. Finally, the Victims and Survivors Advisory Group, which can include representation from the armed forces, will provide advice to the Legacy Commission and the Secretary of State. It will have no role in relation to inquests.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, if he will state the formal mission of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

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

The Prime Minister and President Macron have outlined that the mission of the Multinational Force Ukraine is to support Ukraine’s path towards lasting peace and stability.

As set out by the Secretary of State in his statement to the House on 7 of January 2026, the force will deploy units from participating nations to carry out operations to secure the skies, support safer seas, and conduct training, planning, recovery and regeneration of Ukrainian forces.

Additionally, the UK and France will establish military hubs across the country to facilitate this activity and build protected facilities within Ukraine for the storage and maintenance of weapons and equipment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to publish the Defence Investment Plan before 1 March 2026.

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

The Department is working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published as soon as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what weapon will be procured for the air-launched collaborative Uncrewed Air Vehicle.

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

The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms.

The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of factors, several of which are dependent on the Defence Investment Plan. However, I am withholding further details as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and also would 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 his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what will the air-launched collaborative Uncrewed Air Vehicle be called.

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

The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms.

The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of factors, several of which are dependent on the Defence Investment Plan. However, I am withholding further details as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and also would 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 his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what will the air-launched collaborative uncrewed air vehicle be called.

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

The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms.

The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of factors, several of which are dependent on the Defence Investment Plan. However, I am withholding further details as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and also would 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 his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, when will the air-launched collaborative uncrewed air vehicle reach full operating capability.

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

The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms.

The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of factors, several of which are dependent on the Defence Investment Plan. However, I am withholding further details as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and also would 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 oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention of 5 January 2026, Official Report, column 63, how many of the five protections for veterans in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will also apply to alleged paramilitaries.

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

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill introduces five protections that have been specifically designed for veterans. Some of these protections apply universally, including to all other former members of the security forces, recognising their service. The Government has been clear that no former Paramilitaries may be part of the Legacy Commission’s Victim and Survivor Advisory Group.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, how many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have met with the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner since 5 July 2024.

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

Since January 2025, when the current Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner took up post, I have formally met, either face to face or virtually, with the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner on 11 separate occasions including a two day visit to Northern Ireland during March 2025.

My fellow Ministerial colleagues have formally met with the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner, either face to face or virtually, on two separate occasions.

These figures do not include informal occasions such as where I, or my Ministerial colleagues have attended the same meetings or events.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, whether the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will prevent former members of paramilitary organisations from sitting on the Legacy Commission.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend, at the Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent), on 24 November 2025 to Question HL11718 in the House of Lords.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact that changes to shotgun licensing will have on the time taken to process shotgun licence renewals in South Suffolk.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on other firearms in the interests of public safety. We intend to publish this consultation shortly.

We will carefully consider all of the views put forward during the consultation, including the potential impact on those who live and work in rural communities, before taking any decisions on whether changes are necessary in the interests of public safety. We will also provide an impact assessment in relation to any changes that we bring forward after the consultation, in the normal way.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of merging (i) shotgun and (ii) rifle licensing systems will have on constituents in South Suffolk.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on other firearms in the interests of public safety. We intend to publish this consultation shortly.

We will carefully consider all of the views put forward during the consultation, including the potential impact on those who live and work in rural communities, before taking any decisions on whether changes are necessary in the interests of public safety. We will also provide an impact assessment in relation to any changes that we bring forward after the consultation, in the normal way.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether UK service personnel operating in Ukraine would be subject to the European Convention of Human Rights.

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

Ukraine is a member of the Council of Europe and signatory to the European Convention of Human Rights and the Convention rights will be afforded to troops deployed to Ukraine as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, if he will state the size of the MOD equipment budget as a (i) percentage of GDP and (ii) cash figure in each financial year of the current Parliament.

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

In financial year (FY) 2024-25, Ministry of Defence spend on equipment was £24.92 billion, which is around 0.85% of GDP. This is an increase of over £2 billion from the equipment budget for FY2023-24.

While the current FY is ongoing and work on the Defence Investment Plan continues, it is not possible to provide figures for the remaining financial years of this Parliament.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many hectares of the English countryside have been burnt by wildfires in the last twelve months; and what the cost was in terms of (a) fighting the fires, (b) loss of economic activity, (c) restoring the landscape and (d) NHS treatment of the effects of smoke pollution as a result of those wildfires.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra does not hold details on how many hectares of the English countryside have been burnt by wildfires in the last twelve months.

MHCLG is responsible for fire policy and operations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, what discussions he has had with his French and Ukrainian counterparts on scenario planning for the number of military hubs for the proposed Multinational Force - Ukraine; and if will set out the ranges of the number of such hubs.

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

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine.

Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Armed forces to launch 'Gap Year' scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, how much has been spent on implementing the scheme as of 6 January 2026.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society.

Tranche1, beginning in 2026, is expected to include 150 entrants, with an intention to increase capacity for future tranches. The total cost to Defence to deliver Tranche 1 of the scheme is £13 million. The cost of future tranches will be informed by lessons drawn from Tranche 1.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Armed forces to launch 'Gap Year' scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, what the estimated total cost of implementing the scheme is.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society.

Tranche1, beginning in 2026, is expected to include 150 entrants, with an intention to increase capacity for future tranches. The total cost to Defence to deliver Tranche 1 of the scheme is £13 million. The cost of future tranches will be informed by lessons drawn from Tranche 1.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the total estimated cost of the Chinook Extended Range programme has changed since 5 July 2024.

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

The total estimated cost of the Chinook Extended Range programme remains within the budgetary limit of £1.85 billion that was approved in June 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total estimated cost of the Chinook Extended Range programme.

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

The total estimated cost of the Chinook Extended Range programme remains within the budgetary limit of £1.85 billion that was approved in June 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the CyberEM Command has established initial operating capability.

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

Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEMF) was achieved on 1 December 2025. This followed a public announcement by the Commander, Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC), on 27 November 2025. IOC marks the establishment of the Force Headquarters and the integration of core Cyber and Electromagnetic (CyEM) functions within CSOC. Work continues to scale capability and workforce, including the stand-up of new venture teams to establish several new-to-Defence capabilities, including the nucleus of a Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Centre, as DCEMF matures towards Full Operating Capability.

Found: Ajax Vehicles: Procurement 17 Dec 2025 | 98520 Asked by: James Cartlidge To ask the Secretary