Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, if he will list all possible capabilities developed under the Low-Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms initiative.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is likely to consist of a range of projects in the future, the first of these is a low-cost air defence effector. No other projects under the LEAP initiative have currently been agreed.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, what percentage of the workshare for the new surface-to-air weapon will take place in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare will be dependent on the chosen solution.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, why the publication of the latest Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics has been delayed.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The publication of UK Armed Forces Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics for 1 Jan 2026 has been delayed due to technical issues affecting data quality and has a release date of 2 April 2026. This is stated in the Statistics release calendar: Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics: 1 January 2026 - Accredited official statistics announcement - GOV.UK
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March to Question 115855, whether there has been more than one version of the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
We are working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has authorised a change to the state of readiness of HMS Prince of Wales.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It is the Department’s policy to not disclose the readiness state of individual ships as this would, prejudice the capability, effectiveness and/or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, whether he plans to procure any further new medium-lift helicopters beyond the 23 announced.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Army does not currently plan to procure any additional medium lift helicopters beyond the 23 already announced.
As with all major capabilities, the size of the medium lift fleet will be kept under review to ensure it remains aligned with Defence planning assumptions and operational need.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to stockpile one way attack drones on UK territory.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
In addition to the ongoing deployment of the Callen‑Lenz Nyan One‑Way Effector with UK Forces on Operation CABRIT, the Army, supported by Defence Equipment and Support and Defence Science Technology Laboratory, is reviewing long‑term stockpile options to ensure an appropriate balance between resilience, production capacity, the ability to upgrade at pace, and maintaining a predominantly UK/European supply chain.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February to Question 112837 on Navy: North Atlantic Ocean, whether the £14 million referred to is separate to the £10 million of pre-concept funding announced.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I can confirm that the £10 million is included in the £14 million pre-concept funding that has been announced.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to publish a strategy on stockpiling one-way attack drones on UK territory.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
In addition to the ongoing deployment of the Callen‑Lenz Nyan One‑Way Effector with UK Forces on Operation CABRIT, the Army, supported by Defence Equipment and Support and Defence Science Technology Laboratory, is reviewing long‑term stockpile options to ensure an appropriate balance between resilience, production capacity, the ability to upgrade at pace, and maintaining a predominantly UK/European supply chain.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Enemy weapons detector in the hands of soldiers five years early, published on 14 February 2026, what is the in service date for SONUS.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to questions 117361 and 117362 on 9 March 2026 which remain extant.