Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many airframes will be procured under the Jet Training System.

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

The Defence Investment Plan commits £360 million to the recapitalisation of the Jet Training System, including the provision of new aircraft for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (the Red Arrows). The programme will deliver a modernised training capability for both UK and international fast-jet training requirements.

The number of training jets that will enter service by 2030 has not yet been determined. Work is underway to define the detailed requirement, delivery approach and procurement strategy for the Future Jet Training System. As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Government's commitment at this stage is to deliver a recapitalised training system and new aircraft for the Red Arrows, with further details to be confirmed as the programme mature.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is his assessment of the potential impact of retro-fitting Mk41 VLS to Type 31 on the effectiveness of the Royal Navy’s active frigate fleet in the late 2020s.

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

The Royal Navy is pursuing the integration of the Mk41 Vertical Launching System to enhance the future lethality, flexibility and adaptability of the surface fleet. Work is progressing to assess the options, timing and costs associated with fitting the Mk41 Vertical Launching System to the Type 31 class as part of the Mk41 adaptability pathway.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, how many F-35A and F-35B jets does his department intend to buy in the next order.

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

The Department is working on finalising the precise mix of A and B variants for our next F35 order. The Defence Investment Plan sets out a strong combat air approach with F35s, Typhoon and Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been spent on the Ajax Armoured Fighting Vehicles to date.

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

As at 31 March 2026, £5.3 billion had been spent on the Armoured Cavalry (Ajax) programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of his Department's capability to improve skills and resources in the civilian MOD while delivering a 10% reduction in civil service workforce costs by 2030.

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

The Ministry of Defence is committed to reducing Civil Service workforce costs by at least 10% by 2030, as set out in the Strategic Defence Review, while reshaping the workforce mix to ensure that people with the right skills are in the right roles. The Department is confident that civilian workforce skills and capability can be strengthened alongside this ambition through workforce planning, prioritisation of critical skills, productivity improvements and affordability controls.

Civil servants are integral to Defence delivery. The Department will continue to focus the workforce on Government and Defence priorities, investing in future skills while improving productivity through technology, reduced bureaucracy, reskilling and redeployment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is his planned in-service date for a replacement for the Crowsnest Airborne Early Warning system.

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

The Royal Navy's Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control capability, which provides the Airborne Early Warning function from Merlin Mk2 helicopters for the Carrier Strike Group, has an Out of Service Date of 31 December 2029.

The Defence Investment Plan has announced that the future carrier based airborne early warning system will be introduced between 2030-2035 and that this system will be autonomous. All potential solutions to meet this requirement for the QEC aircraft carriers are now being considered as part of development of the Hybrid Carrier Air Wing.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to address the workforce capability, capacity and resource constraints identified in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority annual report.

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

The Ministry of Defence is addressing workforce capability, capacity and resource challenges through the actions set out in the Strategic Defence Review, Defence Industrial Strategy, and the Defence Investment Plan. This includes £182 million for a defence skills package to attract, develop and retain a skilled workforce, and over £290 million for defence nuclear skills. These measures, alongside Defence Reform, will strengthen delivery capacity and support major programme delivery.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the out of service date for the Crowsnest Airborne Early Warning system.

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

The Royal Navy's Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control capability, which provides the Airborne Early Warning function from Merlin Mk2 helicopters for the Carrier Strike Group, has an Out of Service Date of 31 December 2029.

The Defence Investment Plan has announced that the future carrier based airborne early warning system will be introduced between 2030-2035 and that this system will be autonomous. All potential solutions to meet this requirement for the QEC aircraft carriers are now being considered as part of development of the Hybrid Carrier Air Wing.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the in-service date of the Chinook H-47.

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

The Chinook H-47(Extended Range) is being delivered through the Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme Tranche 1. The first Chinook H‑47 (Extended Range) aircraft is expected to be delivered and in service for the United Kingdom from late 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the planned in-service date for the Heavy Protected Mobility programme.

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

The programme remains in its concept phase, and as such, delivery timelines have not yet been determined.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2026 to Question 759 on Russia: Shipping, if he will provide an exact number.

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

Since Question 759 was tabled, the UK has successfully interdicted the sanctioned oil tanker SMYRTOS. The UK has also supported multiple allied interdictions of sanctioned vessels in recent months.

We will not provide a running commentary or get into details of our decision-making process as this could compromise our ability to successfully take action against sanctioned ships, only benefitting our adversaries.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2026 to Question 11099 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles, how many of the 700 Jackal vehicles in use across the British Army and Royal Marines are (a) Jackal 2, (b) Jackal 3 and (c) Coyote by service.

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

There are 235 Jackal 2, 64 Jackal 3 and 72 Coyote in service with the British Army.

There are zero Jackal 2, Jackal 3, and Coyote in service with the Royal Marines.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what operational surface-to-surface anti-ship capability the Royal Navy will possess at sea by December 2026.

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

The Royal Navy has introduced the Naval Strike Missile to meet current operational requirements. For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not comment in detail on the weapons fit or capabilities available to deployed vessels at any given time.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of how many of the (a) Type 26 (b) Type 45 will be fully fitted and cleared to deploy the Naval Strike Missile by the end of 2026.

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

For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely provide detailed forecasts relating to the integration and deployment readiness of specific weapon systems on individual classes of vessel. The Royal Navy continues to progress the integration of the Naval Strike Missile in accordance with approved capability plans.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for the first flight of the Tempest Combat Air Flying Demonstrator.

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

The exact date for the first flight will be finalised nearer the time to leverage maximum benefit to GCAP development.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, of the 1,250 of the worst maintained homes which have been upgraded over the last 12 months, how many have since been subject to urgent repair call outs.

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

The Department is unable to provide this information as it would incur disproportionate costs. This is because to fulfil this request, Ministry of Defence contractors would need to review the record for each of the 1,250 properties individually to identify any urgent repairs carried out in the past 12 months.

However, I can tell the hon. Member that we deliberately focused on the worst 1,250 homes for our first tranche of upgrades.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will the independent review into single living accommodation conclude.

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

The Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Overseas Accommodation Review is being delivered in two phases. Phase One of the Review, which focuses on SLA across the UK estate, is on track to report to Defence Ministers this Summer. The report will make recommendations to improve service standards, satisfaction and value for money in the delivery of SLA. Phase Two of the Review, which will cover the overseas estate, will conclude by the end of 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many military homes will be upgraded in each year to 2035.

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

The Ministry of Defence will publish its delivery timeline for the £9.2 billion Defence Housing Strategy over the next 12 months.

Work has already commenced on the 14,000 homes requiring substantial refurbishment, as set out in the Defence Housing Strategy. Over 1,250 military homes were improved last financial year, with more to be upgraded this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Digital Targeting Web is fully interoperable with NATO allies to allow the exchange of sensor and targeting data.

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

The Strategic Defence Review and Defence Investment Plan set out our commitment to develop the Digital Targeting Web, which will connect sensors, decision-makers and effectors across the Integrated Force.

Interoperability with NATO Allies is a core design requirement of the Digital Targeting Web. The programme is being developed in alignment with NATO standards, enabling the secure exchange of sensor, targeting and command-and-control information across Allied Forces.

The Digital Targeting Web will support shared situational awareness, faster decision-making and coordinated targeting across multinational operations, strengthening NATO’s ability to deter and defend against potential adversaries.

The Department is embedding interoperability throughout the development of the Digital Targeting Web rather than treating it as a requirement to be achieved at a single future date.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he has a target date by which his Department intends to achieve interoperability of the Digital Targeting Web with NATO allies.

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

The Strategic Defence Review and Defence Investment Plan set out our commitment to develop the Digital Targeting Web, which will connect sensors, decision-makers and effectors across the Integrated Force.

Interoperability with NATO Allies is a core design requirement of the Digital Targeting Web. The programme is being developed in alignment with NATO standards, enabling the secure exchange of sensor, targeting and command-and-control information across Allied Forces.

The Digital Targeting Web will support shared situational awareness, faster decision-making and coordinated targeting across multinational operations, strengthening NATO’s ability to deter and defend against potential adversaries.

The Department is embedding interoperability throughout the development of the Digital Targeting Web rather than treating it as a requirement to be achieved at a single future date.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of urgent repair calls for service family accommodation have been resolved within the target timescales in each month in 2026.

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

The table below provides the number of callouts for urgent repairs to Service Family Accommodation (SFA) for Military Personnel broken down by month since January 2026 and the percentage of these repairs completed within 48 hours.

For urgent repairs, MOD’s contractors will attend and fix the repair within 48 hours. In contractual terms, meeting this response time in 80% of cases is an Acceptable Level of Performance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many urgent repair calls to service family accommodation have there been in each month in 2026.

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

The table below provides the number of callouts for urgent repairs to Service Family Accommodation (SFA) for Military Personnel broken down by month since January 2026 and the percentage of these repairs completed within 48 hours.

For urgent repairs, MOD’s contractors will attend and fix the repair within 48 hours. In contractual terms, meeting this response time in 80% of cases is an Acceptable Level of Performance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the publication of the Defence Investment Plan, when does he plan to table the Defence Readiness Bill.

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

The Defence Investment Plan provides Defence with an additional £15 billion over four years and brings together investment across equipment, infrastructure, people, nuclear, innovation and readiness within a single plan rather than a standalone equipment programme.

Similarly, Defence Readiness legislation is an integral pillar of our work to boost resilience and readiness. In line with the recommendation in the Strategic Defence Review, the Government intends to bring forward this legislation later in this Parliament.

The legislation will help ensure that the Government has the necessary powers to respond to the growing threat posed by sub-threshold and hybrid attacks. It will also provide a framework of reserve powers that can be activated, if required, to support an effective response during a national crisis and in the event of escalation towards conflict.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to table the Defence Readiness Bill.

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

The Defence Investment Plan provides Defence with an additional £15 billion over four years and brings together investment across equipment, infrastructure, people, nuclear, innovation and readiness within a single plan rather than a standalone equipment programme.

Similarly, Defence Readiness legislation is an integral pillar of our work to boost resilience and readiness. In line with the recommendation in the Strategic Defence Review, the Government intends to bring forward this legislation later in this Parliament.

The legislation will help ensure that the Government has the necessary powers to respond to the growing threat posed by sub-threshold and hybrid attacks. It will also provide a framework of reserve powers that can be activated, if required, to support an effective response during a national crisis and in the event of escalation towards conflict.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, has the ATHENA command post vehicle encountered the same vibrational and safety issues as the Ajax vehicles.

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

The recent Army Safety Investigation, commissioned in response to Exercise Titan Storm, underlined that all variants of Ajax are safe to operate. Specifically, measured vibration levels were below legal safety limits. I will continue to keep the House informed.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for children and young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the Lewes constituency.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill

The Government recognises that, for children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties, timely access to high-quality support is essential.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to improve mental health services across the country, including for children and young people in the Lewes constituency. More widely, as prioritised in our Medium-Term Planning Framework, we are taking action to reduce the longest waits for specialist mental health support, tackle regional disparities, expand access and improve productivity across services.

Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning children and young people's mental health services for their local populations, including in the Lewes constituency, and for ensuring services meet local needs.

We are also improving community mental health support by accelerating the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges to achieve full national coverage by 2029, alongside continued investment in Early Support Hubs to help more children and young people access support before they reach crisis point.

In addition, the Government is developing a new Mental Health Strategy for England, which will set out our plans to improve access to services and support better mental health outcomes.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is the average wait time for an ADHD assessment in the Lewes constituency.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill

Data for the number of open referrals that may be for an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment is published nationally and disaggregated by integrated care board (ICB) and covers how long referrals have been open across several time periods, although it does not include an average wait time.

For the figures for the NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB please see the latest ADHD Management Information publication at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/may-2026

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the planned expenditure on (a) conventional equipment and (b) nuclear equipment in each year from FY26/27 to FY29/30 inclusive.

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

The Defence Investment Plan is backed by £298 billion of investment over the next four years and sets out over £180 billion of investment in the integrated force across nine domains, including £64 billion in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

Individual annual settlements across the nine integrated force domains will be subject to planning cycles. This will include equipment and other related spend such as infrastructure.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, per year how many days does an average (a) batch 1 River class (b) batch 2 River class (c) Type 23 frigate (d) Type 45 Destroyer spend at sea.

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

The Ministry of Defence provides the House of Commons Defence Committee (HCDC) with Royal Navy Surface Fleet readiness days broken down by vessel output category on a six-monthly basis. This was last shared with the HCDC on 18 May 2026 and is readily available at the following link:

https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/53357/documents/298463/default

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2026 Defence Investment Plan, paragraph 68, what assessment he has made of changes to the vertical lift capability and capacity available to UK Armed Forces.

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

The Ministry of Defence routinely assesses the vertical lift capability and capacity required to meet Defence outputs and future operational requirements. Operational analysis has confirmed an enduring requirement for both Medium and Heavy Vertical Lift capabilities, which perform complementary roles across a range of military tasks and operating environments.

The retirement of the Puma fleet has resulted in a temporary reduction in Medium Vertical Lift capacity pending the introduction of the New Medium Helicopter capability, which is expected to enter service from 2030-31. This reflects the replacement of an increasingly obsolete fleet with a modern platform and is intended to deliver a more sustainable medium-lift capability for the long term.

Within Heavy Vertical Lift, the Chinook fleet is undergoing a managed transition. Fourteen new H‑47(Extended Range) aircraft are being introduced through the Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme Tranche 1, with the first aircraft expected to be delivered to the United Kingdom from 2027.

Separately, the oldest Chinook Mk6A aircraft are being retired as they become increasingly costly and difficult to sustain. Their replacement will be delivered through the Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme Tranche 2 from the early 2030s. This creates a temporary reduction in Heavy Vertical Lift capacity during the transition period before replacement aircraft are delivered and brought into service.

The Department has assessed that these temporary reductions reflect the planned replacement of ageing platforms and are necessary to deliver modernised Medium and Heavy Vertical Lift capabilities. The Defence Investment Plan provides for the recapitalisation of both capabilities through the New Medium Helicopter programme and the Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme, ensuring the Armed Forces retain the vertical lift capabilities required to meet future operational demands.

The Department's assessment is that temporary reductions in both Medium and Heavy Vertical Lift capacity are a consequence of replacing ageing fleets with more capable and sustainable aircraft. These reductions are understood, planned for, and addressed through the New Medium Helicopter programme and the two-tranche Chinook recapitalisation programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2026 Defence Investment Plan, paragraph 68, what are his plans for future purchases of newer Chinooks.

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

The Defence Investment Plan provides for the recapitalisation of the Chinook fleet through the Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme (CSP). Defence is currently progressing the next phase of this work, known as Chinook CSP Tranche 2, which will replace legacy Chinook aircraft and sustain the United Kingdom's Vertical Heavy Lift capability beyond 2040. This is distinct from Chinook CSP Tranche 1, which is the previously approved procurement of 14 H‑47(ER) aircraft.

Current planning assumptions envisage contractual commitment through SDR30, with deliveries of new Chinook aircraft commencing in the mid-2030s. Initial Operating Capability is expected in the latter part of the 2030s, with further procurement activity supporting the fleet through to at least 2060.

Defence is continuing to refine the requirement and assess options through the programme's assessment phase. The final number of aircraft to be procured, and the associated delivery profile, will be determined through future approvals and force design decisions based on the requirements, threat assessments and the technological changes to have taken place by then.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, whether the £1.7 billion allotted for Chinook Helicopters includes funding the planned future purchases of newer Chinooks or for maintaining the current fleet.

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

On current plans, the £1.7 billion allocated to Chinook helicopters within Years 1–4 of the Defence Investment Plan includes funding for the current Chinook Programme of Record, covering the in-service fleet, together with the previously approved procurement of 14 Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2026 Defence Investment Plan, boxout, Defence as an Engine for Growth, when does he plan to publish a clear definition of a British company.

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

The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of a clear and consistent definition of a British company. Work is underway, supported by industry, to achieve this and further details will be published in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will the first Mk41 VLS retrofit be performed on a Type 31 Frigate.

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

The integration of the Mk41 Vertical Launching System on Type 31 frigates remains subject to ongoing options analysis and delivery planning.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what duration will a Type 31 Frigate be unavailable for operations while the Mk41 VLS retrofit is performed.

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

Details of any future T31 maintenance or upgrade periods, including the duration of Mk41 installation activity, remain subject to options analysis, programme approval and delivery planning and have not yet been finalised. Any such work would be scheduled to balance capability delivery with broader Royal Navy operational requirements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the breakdown and purpose of the £1.6 billion expenditure on Merlin helicopters from FY26/27 to FY29/30.

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

The £1.6 billion in Merlin helicopters over four years is a combined investment that includes in-service support, readiness and obsolescence treatment through the Out of Service Date Extension to 2040 Programme. It includes Merlin Mk2 Anti-Submarine Warfare, Merlin Mk4 Medium Lift Helicopter and the Crowsnest Airborne Early Warning role fit to Merlin Mk2.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, whether the £1.1 billion allotted for the Ajax Armoured Fighting Vehicles includes additional funding beyond the original £6.3 billion contract.

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

The £1.1 billion allocated in the Defence Investment Plan is funding to deliver the remaining elements of the programme and provisioned funding to provide support while in-service.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was the purchase of the Finnart Oil Terminal.

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

Due to commercial sensitivities, we are unable to disclose the purchase price.

This acquisition forms part of the Clyde Transformation Programme, which will invest £15.1 billion over ten years to directly improve Royal Navy readiness. The Finnart Oil Terminal will strengthen defence fuel holdings and operational resilience, while also reinforcing the Government’s commitment to defence’s role as an engine for growth in the West of Scotland.

More broadly, the Government is investing £26 billion through Project Royal Oak over the next decade. This represents the biggest naval base upgrade for over 45 years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the proposed out-of-service date for (a) HMS Ledbury (b) HMS Cattistock (c) HMS Brocklesby (d) HMS Middleton (e) HMS Hurworth.

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

The Royal Navy is gradually phasing out its traditionally crewed and complex mine countermeasure vessels, as modern, autonomous systems are delivered. The last Hunt Class ship is due to leave service in 2031.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the retirement of the batch 1 River Class vessels, how does his department intend to conduct at sea training.

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

The Royal Navy constantly reviews out-of-service dates to achieve maximum availability of its platforms for operational tasking. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out-of-service dates of individual platforms. The Class out-of-service date for OPV Batch 1 is 2028.

Following the Defence Investment Plan, which allocates £200 million to Offshore Patrol Vessels, future OPV deployment plans will be reviewed to ensure they remain aligned with Defence priorities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what vessels take on the roles currently filled by (a) HMS Tyne (b) HMS Mersey (c) HMS Severn.

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

The Royal Navy constantly reviews out-of-service dates to achieve maximum availability of its platforms for operational tasking. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out-of-service dates of individual platforms. The Class out-of-service date for OPV Batch 1 is 2028.

Following the Defence Investment Plan, which allocates £200 million to Offshore Patrol Vessels, future OPV deployment plans will be reviewed to ensure they remain aligned with Defence priorities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the proposed out-of-service date for (a) HMS Tyne (b) HMS Mersey (c) HMS Severn.

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

The Royal Navy constantly reviews out-of-service dates to achieve maximum availability of its platforms for operational tasking. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out-of-service dates of individual platforms. The Class out-of-service date for OPV Batch 1 is 2028.

Following the Defence Investment Plan, which allocates £200 million to Offshore Patrol Vessels, future OPV deployment plans will be reviewed to ensure they remain aligned with Defence priorities.

Defence Investment Plan

Military housing

Russian sanctions

International Court of Justice's July 2024 Advisory Opinion on the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Coastguard remuneration

Protections for UK egg producers

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.