Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 30 of his Department's Defence Investment plan, published 30 June 2026, what the new capabilities are of the Submarine Build Modernisation Programme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Submarine Build Modernisation (SBM) programme improves facilities, grows the workforce and modernises manufacturing to enable us to meet future submarine production demand. It also strengthens the supply chain to ensure continuous submarine production and delivery of the future SSN-AUKUS programme. Work is underway at key sites to increase capacity without stopping current production.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timeline is for the completion of the Devonport Infrastructure Programme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan commits £7.1 billion of infrastructure investment at HMNB Devonport over the next decade as part of Project Royal Oak. This investment will deliver major upgrades and renewal across the Naval Base and Dockyard site. Including enhancements to docks and wider renewal and maintenance across the site; strengthening the Royal Navy’s ability to support submarines, ships and the Continuous at Sea Deterrent.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 32 of his Department's Defence Investment Plan, published 30 June 2026, whether the planned £17bn investment from 2030 to 2035 for the Digital Backbone and Targeting Web is currently factored into the MOD budget.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan sets out a planned investment of at least £17 billion in the Digital Backbone and Targeting Web between 2030 and 2035. As set out in the Plan, investments beyond 2030 represent future investment priorities and planning assumptions and remain subject to future funding decisions and approvals processes.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the capability requirements of the UK-Netherlands Amphibious Transport Ship programme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to Question 16531 published on 15 July 2026.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-07/16531
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what will be the capability requirements of the joint UK-Netherlands amphibious ship.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to Question 16531 published on 15 July 2026.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-07/16531
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 40 of his Department's document entitled Defence Investment plan, published 30 June 2026, if he will set out what steps the Army is taking to integrate drone capabilities at all levels.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Army is integrating drones at all levels as part of its 5th Generation Land Forces transition. This includes the delivery of uncrewed capabilities from the tactical to the strategic level, integrated into a coherent force design rather than fielded as standalone systems.
In line with the Army’s 20:40:40 force design construct, capabilities will include high-volume, low-cost consumable drones that can be rapidly replaced, alongside more sophisticated attritable uncrewed systems whose loss is acceptable without jeopardising mission success. These capabilities will be integrated with survivable crewed platforms that command and exploit the capabilities of the wider force. Investing in the new force design construct will enhance the Army’s ability to sense, strike and manoeuvre at greater scale, speed, and persistence.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 38 of his Department's document entitled Defence Investment plan, published 30 June 2026, what will be the autonomous replacement for Wildcat maritime helicopters.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy remains committed to maintaining the capabilities required to meet Defence tasks, including troop transport and search-and-rescue operations. Any transition from the Wildcat helicopter will be managed to ensure that operational requirements continue to be met through an appropriate mix of aviation capabilities and maritime assets.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what will be the capability requirements of the Joint Commando Craft in collaboration with Norway.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Joint Commando Craft programme will provide the Commando Force with a high-speed insertion craft capable of deploying personnel, uncrewed systems, vehicles and specialist payloads across challenging littoral environments. The programme is being developed in collaboration with Norway to enhance interoperability, support operations in the High North and improve the effectiveness of UK and Norwegian Commando forces.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 39 of his Department's document entitled Defence Investment plan, published 30 June 2026, if he will set out the proposed enhanced capabilities for RFA Proteus.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan confirms investment in undersea surveillance capability through a variety of initiatives, including enhancements to RFA PROTEUS. It would be inappropriate to provide specific detail of such enhancements or developments to improve effects owing to operational sensitivities.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 37 of his Department's document entitled Defence Investment plan, published 30 June 2026, if he will set out details of the replacement for HMS Protector; and when will this be procured.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 14524, tabled on 30 June 2026:
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-06-30/14524