Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK is able to meet its NATO Article III commitment with emerging technological developments.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence remains committed to meeting its obligations under Article III of the North Atlantic Treaty, including maintaining and developing the UK's individual and collective NATO capabilities. Defence draws on its strengths in science and technology research to assess and prioritise emerging technologies that can enhance operational effectiveness, resilience and technological advantage, including quantum technologies, engineering biology and advanced materials. This work is aligned with wider Government and Defence strategies which identify science, technology and innovation as critical enablers of future national security, economic growth and military advantage.
Defence also works closely with NATO and Allies on emerging technologies for Defence capability development and interoperability, including through scientific partnerships, demonstrating the UK's and the Alliance's collective commitment, to strengthening military capability and ensuring NATO remains able to respond to future threats.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review in developing strong relationships with allies.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, the UK has continued to strengthen defence partnerships with our Allies. This includes signing three new defence documents: Lunna House with Norway; the Northolt Treaty with Poland; and the Defence Roadmap with Estonia. The UK’s new approach to Defence Diplomacy was set out in the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published in March.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the expected delivery time is for equipment funded by the £100m commitment to the NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
At the 36th Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 8 September, the UK announced a £100 million contribution to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), which will support the delivery of Patriot missiles and other critical equipment before the winter.
US equipment purchased through PURL flows continuously and is prioritised in line with Ukraine's most urgent needs. The equipment funded by the UK will be released as part of this.
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 57 of his department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, what progress has been made on a pivot to outcomes-based partnerships with innovation organisations, private equity, venture capital and other investors within the UK and NATO member states.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is already implementing the Strategic Defence Review commitment to pivot towards outcomes-based partnerships through the establishment of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), which launched in July 2025.
UKDI is bringing together Defence innovation activity into a single system focused on solving clearly defined Defence problems and accelerating successful innovations into operational capability.
This approach places greater emphasis on outcomes rather than processes by linking innovators directly to Defence needs, supporting the development of minimum viable capabilities, and ensuring that promising technologies have a clear route to adoption within Defence programmes.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on reducing the number of different land platforms operated across NATO since the Strategic Defence Review.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review did not include a commitment to reduce the number of land platforms operated across NATO.
The United Kingdom continues to work closely with NATO Allies to improve interoperability, strengthen collective deterrence and maximise opportunities for commonality and collaboration in capability development, procurement and support. Through the Army's wider modernisation activity, the Department is seeking to deliver a more integrated and effective land force, including through greater commonality where this delivers operational and value-for-money benefits.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funding has been committed to increase the total number of Regular personnel in the Armed Forces.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, between financial years 26/27 and 29/30 the Ministry of Defence plans to invest £78.5 billion in our People (regulars, reserve forces, and civilians) and our Veterans.
Between 2030 and 2035, the government plans to invest at least £130 billion in our People, focusing on creating a ‘One Defence’ approach to people and training, to meet the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review. Investment in people and training will focus on ensuring our workforce is capable and motivated – further improving recruitment and retention within the Armed Forces.
The Government is committed to improving retention across the Armed Forces and renewing the nation's contract with those who serve. Since April 2024, we have delivered two of the largest pay increases in over 20 years for Service Personnel; most have received a cumulative pay award of 14.1% over that period. These measures are showing positive results. For the first time in several years, Armed Forces intake now exceeds outflow, with recruitment increasing and departures reducing compared with previous years. We will continue to monitor retention closely and take action where evidence shows further improvements are needed.
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 71 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, whether the funding for the defence estate is currently part of his Department's budget.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The £22.7 of investment in the defence estate over the next four years forms part of the Department's spending plans and is being funded through the enhanced settlement set out as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many apprentices and graduates have Team Tempest recruited since 2022.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme is creating opportunities for young people across the UK. Around 3,000 graduates and apprentices have been recruited by the Team Tempest industry partners since 2022, providing the opportunity to work on a range of combat air programmes, including sixth-generation Combat Air development through FCAS.
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 53 of his department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, in what way does his department draw on the available S&T and innovation expertise to inform procurement decisions.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The MOD draws on science and technology (S&T) and innovation expertise across the Department, including the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), academia and industry, to inform procurement decisions. As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, expert S&T and innovation views are included the highest levels of decision making to help shape the strategic vision for Defence investment and support its delivery.
The Department also collaborates with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Business and Trade, UK Research and Innovation, and the Advanced Research and Invention Agency to help ensure taxpayer-funded research supports Defence priority problem sets. This helps inform capability and procurement decisions by assessing technological opportunities, risks and maturity against Defence needs.
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to pages 52 to 54 of his Department's Defence Investment Plan, published 30 June 2026, what is the current status of the UK-German Deep Precision Strike missile programme
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Further to the answer provided to Question 16530. The UK and Germany signed a Framework Agreement in March 2026 to generate the Deep Precision Strike Programme. Both nations are invested in the current Accelerated Concept Phase for both a Stealthy Cruise and Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Missile Systems. Subject to approvals, the programme will transition into the development phase for both systems in early 2027.