Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on which date Initial Operating Capability for Ajax was declared; and who signed that declaration.

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

Initial Operating Capability for Ajax was declared on 5 November 2025.

As safety of our personnel is the top priority of the Ministerial Team, prior to Initial Operating Capability, I asked for and was given assurances in writing by senior Ministry of Defence personnel, including the then National Armaments Director and the Chief of the General Staff, that the system was safe.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the National Armaments Director was consulted prior to the decision to declare IOC for Ajax.

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

As safety is the top priority of the Ministerial Team, prior to Initial Operating Capability, I asked for and was given assurances in writing by senior Ministry of Defence personnel that the system was safe, including the National Armaments Director.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated IOC date is for the Boxer armoured vehicle.

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

The updated Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme Initial Operating Capability date will be published shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has paid to General Dynamics on the Bowman Evolve to Operate programme in the last five years.

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

The total contract value for the MORPHEUS Evolve to Open Transition Partner contract was £395 million. Due to the confidentiality provisions in the contract protecting commercial interests, we are unable to provide further detail.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has received a request from the Defence Select Committee to provide information relating to the Ajax programme over the last twelve months.

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

During the most recent oral evidence session on the AUKUS inquiry, held on 2 December 2025, the Chair of the Defence Committee asked the Department to share with them the advice given by the Chief of the General Staff and the National Armaments Director regarding the safety of the Ajax programme. The Committee also requested details of the outcomes from the ongoing safety investigations into Ajax.

I have agreed to provide as much detail as possible to the Committee on conclusion of the investigations, but this will be subject to the need to protect any commercially sensitive material.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has carried out an evaluation of the potential merits of purchasing the CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle.

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

The Ministry of Defence continually assesses its current and planned capabilities to ensure that it is appropriately equipped to face any adversary.

The CV90 was one of the vehicles considered during the competition for the Scout Specialist Vehicle. An evaluation has not occurred since the Ajax contract was awarded.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Scimitar reconnaissance vehicle was retired from Army service.

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

All Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) variants, including the FV107 Scimitar, were officially retired from Army service under the last Government on 31 March 2023.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met the a) Corporate Chief Executive Officer of General Dynamics and b) Head of General Dynamics UK.

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

I met with representatives from General Dynamics on 9 December. The current Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey MP, has not met with the Corporate Chief Officer or the Head of General Dynamics.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the salary bill was for Defence Equipment and Support in 2024-25.

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

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) salary information is detailed in the DE&S Annual Report and Accounts (ARAC), which is published annually on the GOV.UK website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-equipment-support-annual-report-and-accounts-2024-to-2025

The total salary costs for 2024-25 were £583 million, as noted on page 94 of the 2024-25 ARAC.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the salary bill was for the Submarine Delivery Agency in 2024-25.

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

The Submarine Delivery Agency's Annual Report and Accounts for financial year 2024-25 are expected to be published in the New Year.

For financial year 2023-24, the total staff salary and wage costs were £128 million.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total target for efficiency savings in his Department for a) Financial Year 2025-26 b) Financial Year 2026-27 and c) Financial Year 2027-28.

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

Following the Spending Review in June all Departments, including the Ministry of Defence (MOD), are required to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028‑29. Further details can be found in the Spending Review, published on 11 June.

The Autumn Budget introduced a further 2028-29 0.5% RDEL efficiencies and savings target. However, Defence has been allowed to retain and reinvest the savings to protect national security.

The MOD will publish a Defence Reform and Efficiency Plan, which will provide further detail on the range of reforms across the MOD that will deliver these efficiencies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated IOC date is for the Boxer RCH155mm self-propelled artillery system; and how many such vehicles his Department plans to buy.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 November to Question 88294, which remains extant.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-05/88294

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who the most senior legal official is in his Department.

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

There are four senior legal officials in Defence. The highest-ranking legal advisers are:
Director Army Legal Services (Major General)
Director Legal Services, Royal Air Force (Air Vice Marshal)
Director Legal for the Royal Navy (Commodore)

Director MOD Legal Advisers (Civil Service Director, SCS2)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Department or organisation will be responsible for meeting the costs associated with securing and preparing a new site for the Crowborough cadets, now that Crowborough Training Camp has ben earmarked to accommodate asylum seekers.

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

An alternative temporary venue in Crowborough to deliver weeknight training has been identified by the Army Cadet Force. Its suitability is being reviewed by the Royal Navy Cadet Force and Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces and future activities, and to develop any necessary mitigating actions.

We have been clear that our priority remains ensuring these developments have limited impact on our Cadets, and we will always apply the appropriate safeguarding measures so that Cadet programmes can continue to be delivered.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which official, team, or directorate within his Department is responsible for identifying a new training location for the Crowborough cadets, now that Crowborough Training Camp has been earmarked to accommodate asylum seekers.

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

An alternative temporary venue in Crowborough to deliver weeknight training has been identified by the Army Cadet Force. Its suitability is being reviewed by the Royal Navy Cadet Force and Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces and future activities, and to develop any necessary mitigating actions.

We have been clear that our priority remains ensuring these developments have limited impact on our Cadets, and we will always apply the appropriate safeguarding measures so that Cadet programmes can continue to be delivered.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many alternative sites are currently being assessed by his Department to accommodate the Crowborough cadets, following their proposed displacement from Crowborough Training Camp, to accommodate asylum seekers.

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

An alternative temporary venue in Crowborough to deliver weeknight training has been identified by the Army Cadet Force. Its suitability is being reviewed by the Royal Navy Cadet Force and Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces and future activities, and to develop any necessary mitigating actions.

We have been clear that our priority remains ensuring these developments have limited impact on our Cadets, and we will always apply the appropriate safeguarding measures so that Cadet programmes can continue to be delivered.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will name the officers or officials in the current DE&S Ajax Reporting chain at (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3 and (d) 4 star level.

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

The key officials in the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Ajax Reporting Chain are as follows:

1* - Head Combat Vehicles, Simon Pearson

2* - Director Land Environment, Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies

3* - Director General Core, Lieutenant General Anna-Lee Reilly

3* - DE&S CEO, Lieutenant General Simon Hamilton

4* - National Armaments Director, Rupert Pearce

The 2* Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) is Chris Bowbrick, who sits within Army HQ, not DE&S.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's outgoing National Armaments Director was paid a bonus or departure payment on leaving his post.

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

The previous National Armaments Director (NAD) was the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) CEO Andy Start, now Deputy NAD. All previous remuneration for Mr Start since joining the Department in September 2022 is declared in the DE&S Annual Report and Accounts. This includes the following Performance Awards:

To date Mr Start has only ever received remuneration based upon his DE&S CEO contract of employment and no other bonuses have been paid to Mr Start whilst in the Department’s employ. No bonus or departure payment was made to Mr Start when he relinquished the role of NAD in October 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the previous National Armaments Director was paid any performance or other bonuses within the last five years.

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

The previous National Armaments Director (NAD) was the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) CEO Andy Start, now Deputy NAD. All previous remuneration for Mr Start since joining the Department in September 2022 is declared in the DE&S Annual Report and Accounts. This includes the following Performance Awards:

To date Mr Start has only ever received remuneration based upon his DE&S CEO contract of employment and no other bonuses have been paid to Mr Start whilst in the Department’s employ. No bonus or departure payment was made to Mr Start when he relinquished the role of NAD in October 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the salary band for his Department's new National Armaments Director.

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

The National Armaments Director role is a Senior Civil Service (SCS) 4 role, the advertised range for the role was up to £400,000 base salary and an annual performance related payment of up to 60% of base salary.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who is the current SRO for the Boxer programme.

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

The Senior Responsible Officer for the Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme is Martyn Williams, as published in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Government Major Projects Portfolio transparency data.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nista-annual-report-2024-2025

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who is the current SRO for the Le TACSIS programme.

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

The current Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) of the Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information Systems (LETacCIS) Programme is Major General Mark Purves.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he next expects to provide either an Oral or Written statement to Parliament on the progress of the Ajax programme.

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

I released a second written ministerial statement (WMS) regarding the Ajax programme on 18 December 2025. In a line with this WMS, I confirm that I will provide further updates to the House in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met his US counterpart to discuss the progress of the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail programme.

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

The Secretary of State for Defence regularly speaks with his US counterpart to discuss critical bilateral topics. Defence ministers, service chiefs, and officials frequently engage with their US counterparts on the E-7 programme. Most recently, the Chief of the Air Staff discussed it with his US counterpart in November 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total estimated a) acquisition cost and b) through life cost is of the Boxer programme.

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

As published in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25 data. The initial acquisition cost for the contracted Mechanised Infantry Boxer vehicles is £3.1 billion. The forecast whole life cost for the Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme, covering wider Defence Lines of Development such as support and potential capability uplifts, is £7 billion.

https://www.gov.uk/csv-preview/6895fbb63080e72710b2e2ef/nista_annual_report_data_2425.csv

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what legal actions his Department has sought to initiate for liquidated damages from contractors in the last five years, broken down by a) project name, b) original contract value and c) sums recovered by his Department.

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

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the largest sum ever recovered by his Department is following a successful legal action for liquidated damages against a contractor; and for which programme this applied.

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

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's definition is of liquidated damages.

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

The Department's definition of liquidated damages is a pre-agreed sum to compensate for the financial loss that arises from the contractor’s failure to perform their contractual obligations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who manufactures the command system for the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft.

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

The command system onboard Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, referred to as the Mission System, is primarily manufactured and integrated by Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the salary band of the current Ajax SRO; and whether this has been supplemented by a performance or other bonus within the part three years.

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

Information regarding paybands for Army Command Senior Civil Servants can be found at the following link: Army staff roles and salaries

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has ever sought legal advice from the Treasury Solicitor's Department on Ajax.

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

I can confirm that legal advice has been sought from the Government Legal Department on Ajax.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he now intends to publish the Defence Investment Plan.

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

We are working flat out between now and the end of the year to finalise the Defence Investment Plan. I am sure the Hon. Gentleman will appreciate the scale of the decisions that we need to make. He will also appreciate the scale of the problems that we face, including those to do with a programme of the last Government’s that over-committed, and was underfunded and unsuited to meeting the threats that we will face in the future.