Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what systems he expects to develop with the £310m on Project CORVUS.

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

Project CORVUS is subject to ongoing competition, and it would therefore be inappropriate to provide any detail at this stage.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the change to a Hybrid Navy Fleet, if the UK will continue to have an evacuation capability provided by destroyers.

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

The Royal Navy’s Hybrid systems will use a combination of crewed and uncrewed platforms, deployed based on operational demands. The Royal Navy will maintain its long-standing capability to offer Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations in times of crisis, and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operations, across all crewed Royal Navy ships.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the investment value for AUKUS Pillar 2.

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

As announced at the latest AUKUS Defence Ministerial Meeting, we are investing in the first Pillar 2 Signature Project on cutting-edge payloads and enabling systems for uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). This will be funded from within the £1.3 billion investment to accelerate the Royal Navy's use of autonomous and uncrewed systems, and £1.2 billion investment in wider Underwater Warfare set out in the Defence Investment Plan.

This builds on our investment of over £3.8 million into the AUKUS innovation challenges, and the funding of existing AUKUS Pillar 2 workstreams, which is through various budgets across defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the £1.1bn for Autonomous Mine Hunting Capability will be matched equally by France.

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

The Defence Investment Plan states that the Department will deliver the full scope of the next phase of the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme. This programme forms part of Defence's wider investment in the Royal Navy's Hybrid Navy and will deliver enhanced autonomous mine countermeasures capability. Elements of Block 1 Mission Systems are being procured through the OCCAR-led UK/FRANCE Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme. These deliveries will complete in 2026 and funding arrangements are agreed between the participating nations based on capability needs. We will continue to discuss further cooperative opportunities with France on autonomous mine-hunting systems through our regular dialogues.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what systems will be developed with the £230m allocated to seabed warfare.

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

The Defence Investment Plan outlined several investments into seabed warfare capabilities, including an additional £330 million critical underwater infrastructure protection capabilities, including upgrades and enhancements for RFA Proteus, and a £90 million investment in the autonomous minehunting programme to procure offshore support vessels (OSVs) in conjunction with Norway.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what will the new amphibious combined fleet with the Netherlands include.

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

British and Dutch forces are set to be equipped with new amphibious transport ships under a new maritime partnership. Based on a Dutch design, the ships will be built in UK shipyards alongside Dutch industry as part of a £2.4 billion deal, which is expected to support hundreds of high-skilled UK jobs. The new ships will form the backbone of a strengthened UK-Netherlands amphibious force, with each nation operating four vessels.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the number of major contracts awarded this year will exceed the average of the last 10 years.

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

The Ministry of Defence’s number of contracts, including major contracts, has remained relatively stable and consistent, with a slight increase observed in 2023. This trend is expected to continue into 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what date will the Hybrid Navy Fleet be operational.

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

The Defence Investment Plan has announced at least £1.3b billion investment in developing the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Fleet: comprising uncrewed missile platforms (Type 91), uncrewed underwater sense platforms (Type 92), extra-large uncrewed underwater vessels (XLUUV) (Type 93), uncrewed radar platforms (Type 94), as well as uncrewed aviation assets. The construction schedules for those platforms have not yet been determined. The future class of Common Combat Vessels (CCV) are expected from the early 2030s.

These new technologies will complement the uncrewed mine hunting capabilities, aviation, and surface vessels already in service with the Royal Navy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timeline is for doubling the number of Sky Sabre air defence systems operated by the Army.

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

The Defence Investment Plan commits over £350 million to double the number of deployable Sky Sabre air defence missile systems operated by the Army.

This increase is being delivered through the Land Ground Based Air Defence (LGBAD) Programme's Capability Uplift Package 1 (CUP1). Additional Surface-to-Air Missile Operating Centres are on contract for delivery at the end of 2026 and are expected to enter service in 2027. Additional Land Ceptor launchers and associated support vehicles are also on contract for delivery in 2027. Together, these investments will double the number of deployable Sky Sabre systems operated by the Army.

The LGBAD Programme is also considering further enhancements to Sky Sabre capability, but I am unable to comment further while commercial negotiations are ongoing.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what capabilities the MOD is planning to disinvest in that no longer align with the evolving strategic context.

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

The Strategic Defence Review is being implemented through the Defence Investment Plan (DIP). This will ensure that Defence resources are focused on the capabilities most relevant to the current and future threat environment. This means Defence is disinvesting in capabilities that no longer align with the evolving strategic context, informed by lessons from Ukraine and the changing character of warfare.

Examples identified in the DIP include the phased retirement of older Type 23 frigates, the retirement of Wildcat Battlefield Reconnaissance helicopters and oldest Chinooks (Mk6A), and the withdrawal of Shadow R1 aircraft. The Plan also confirms that the Type 32 and Type 83 warship concepts will not proceed, with resources prioritised instead towards the Hybrid Navy, comprising Common Combat Vessels and supporting uncrewed ships in the Type 9x series.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what investments are Japan and Italy making into the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

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

The GCAP contract is funded by the three nations and the costs will be split to reflect the work undertaken by each nation, distributed based on equity principle and under a spirit of equal partnership.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the expected rollout date is for the 12 next-generation of SSN-AUKUS (SSN-A) nuclear powered conventional attack submarines.

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

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, we will procure up to 12 next-generation SSN-AUKUS nuclear powered, conventionally armed attack submarines.

On current plans, we will cut steel on the first SSN-AUKUS submarine

next year, with the aim to deliver the first UK submarine into service in the 2030s.

I hope the Hon Gentleman will understand that the planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the expected delivery date of the 12 next-generation SSN-B nuclear powered submarines.

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

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, we will procure up to 12 next-generation SSN-AUKUS nuclear powered, conventionally armed attack submarines.

On current plans, we will cut steel on the first SSN-AUKUS submarine

next year, with the aim to deliver the first UK submarine into service in the 2030s.

I hope the Hon Gentleman will understand that the planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the expected rollout date is for the 13-strong fleet of submarine hunting frigates.

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

The Type 26 programme remains focused on delivering a combined fleet of at least 13 frigates to hunt for Russian submarines in the North Atlantic, the biggest British warship deal in history and centrepiece of the Lunna House Agreement.

That includes eight Type 26 ASW frigates for the Royal Navy, and at least five for Norway. The first ships are expected to be received by the Royal Navy in the late 2020s with deliveries continuing in the 2030s.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the estimated procurement time on Taskforce RAPSTONE compared to normal MOD procurement timescales.

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

The Defence Investment Plan has provisioned £400 million to the Land Lethality Pipeline, which includes a £50 million boost to the Army’s RAPSTONE rapid lethality programme over the next twelve months. This boost will enable Taskforce RAPSTONE to deliver important projects by drawing on the lessons learned from Ukraine to accelerate the fielding of new capabilities into the British Army.

Whilst procurement timelines vary, Taskforce RAPSTONE aims to deliver capabilities into the hands of the user as a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within six to 12 months.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Uncrewed System Centre is taking to ensure research security.

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

The Uncrewed Systems Centre’s governance structure comprises seven capability pillars to cohere, coordinate and collaborate across the Defence uncrewed systems portfolio, with two of those pillars focused on Research & Development and Digital Integration and Security. The scope of these pillars is to develop and deliver the strategies to ensure uncrewed systems development adheres to the identified hardware and data standards and protocols for interoperability and security, so uncrewed systems development is secure by design and interoperable with wider defence networks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the CCAs will play a key role in the IAMD.

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

Through the 2030s Collaborative Combat Aircraft are expected to also play a key role in Integrated Air and Missile Defence as they augment combat air platforms, initially in the Air-to-Air role to help facilitate control of the air. Potential further capability uses continue to be explored to ensure the MOD can capitalise any emerging technologies such as autonomy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the next steps are for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme.

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

The Royal Navy and RAF are working with the National Armaments Director Group to develop the best approach to Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Defence is working with industry partners to explore proposals and consider the technologies and subsystems that would offer the best overall capability including autonomy, propulsion and payloads.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what upgrades are required for Typhoons to sustain them into the 2040s.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 July 2026 to Question 15532 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty):

The Typhoon Long Term Evolution (LTE) programme is the ongoing programme to sustain and progressively enhance the Typhoon force so that it remains operationally relevant into the 2040s and can continue to meet the UK's air defence and combat air requirements. LTE is not a single procurement programme or discrete capability upgrade. Rather, it provides the framework through which future upgrades and enhancements to the Typhoon force will be considered, prioritised and delivered over time to maintain operational effectiveness, interoperability with allies, and the aircraft’s relevance against evolving threats.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timeline is for replacing obsolete and dated C2 sensors in the UK IAMD.

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

Whilst spending continues within existing programmes, the Defence Investment Plan allocates a further £790 million to dedicated homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD).

Command and Control (C2) capabilities are subject to continuous evaluation within the layered UK IAMD system, adapting as threats evolve. This investment focuses on sustaining and enhancing key foundational capabilities by improving our C2 and sensing systems across Defence, ensuring our defences remain effective and resilient against relevant threats.

Further details on specific schedules and capabilities remain classified; however, the MOD is committed to delivering timely and effective solutions to meet current and future operational requirements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps have been taken to consider the successor to Dreadnought.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 15525 from the hon. Member for Huntingdon on 10 July 2026:

As announced in the Defence Investment Plan, this Government will invest over £20 billion more in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise over the next four years than the previous four years to modernise and sustain our nuclear deterrent, the cornerstone of our national security. This will fund our new deterrent submarines and warheads, establish a nuclear fuels programme, start defining the Dreadnought successor, and upgrade our infrastructure across the defence nuclear estate. This will allow us to meet the Government’s commitment to start to define the requirement for the post-Dreadnought strategic deterrent within this Parliament.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when is the expected completion of the four Dreadnought Class submarines at Barrow.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 November 2025 to Question 83062 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Obese-Jecty):

The Dreadnought Class submarines will begin to enter service from the early 2030s. The planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the timeframe for the acquisition of three floating docks at Faslane.

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

The Defence Investment Plan announced Programme Euston, a multi-billion-pound investment that will deliver three floating docks and associated infrastructure at HM Naval Base Clyde. This capability will support resilient out-of-water engineering for all Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine classes and forms part of the wider Clyde Transformation Programme

Detailed delivery arrangements and programme schedules are being developed and will be taken forward in line with normal approvals and value-for-money requirements, with further information provided in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, will the £220m for armed autonomous drones in Project NYX deliver 24 drones in total or for each AH-64E Apache.

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

Project NYX represents the cutting edge of the Defence Industrial Strategy, working with leading British industry partners to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of autonomous military technology. The Defence Investment Plan provides funding for a total of up to 24 autonomous drones by 2030.

As Project NYX is currently in the concept and demonstration phase no decision has yet been taken on the size of any future departmental fleet of autonomous systems to augment AH-64E Apache beyond 2030. This will be informed by the outcome of the demonstration phase, which is expected to conclude in 2028.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many drones are expected to be delivered as part of Project NYX from 2030 to 2035.

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

Project NYX represents the cutting edge of the Defence Industrial Strategy, working with leading British industry partners to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of autonomous military technology. The Defence Investment Plan provides funding for a total of up to 24 autonomous drones by 2030.

As Project NYX is currently in the concept and demonstration phase no decision has yet been taken on the size of any future departmental fleet of autonomous systems to augment AH-64E Apache beyond 2030. This will be informed by the outcome of the demonstration phase, which is expected to conclude in 2028.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of the £400m committed to Taskforce RAPSTONE has been spent to date.

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

The Defence Investment Plan has provisioned £400 million to the Land Lethality Pipeline, which includes a £50 million boost to the Army’s RAPSTONE rapid lethality programme over the next twelve months. This boost will enable Taskforce RAPSTONE to deliver important projects by drawing on the lessons learned from Ukraine to accelerate the fielding of new capabilities into the British Army.

Whilst procurement timelines vary, Taskforce RAPSTONE aims to deliver capabilities into the hands of the user as a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within six to 12 months.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the expected timelines for the Clyde Infrastructure programme to start and complete.

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

The Clyde Infrastructure Programme forms part of the wider Clyde Transformation Programme and Project Royal Oak, through which the Government is investing in the modernisation of HM Naval Base Clyde, alongside HMNB Portsmouth and HMNB Devonport.

The Clyde Infrastructure Programme is already underway and is delivering modern waterfront infrastructure, training facilities, and accommodation to support the continued safe and secure operation of submarines, including the transition to the Dreadnought class. Delivery of the programme will continue to be delivered aligned to operational requirements. Four blocks of new Single Living Accommodation will be completed by late 2026. The full completion date of the programme is expected in 2033, reflecting the substantial increase and scope of work included in the Clyde Infrastructure Programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 26 of his Department's Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what is the expected size of the arsenal of one-way attack drones; and by how much is this expected to grow annually.

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

I am withholding the details of one-way attack drone stockpile holdings, procurement quantities and projected annual growth rates for operational security reasons. The capability will, however, grow from a minimal deployable capability as part of the Army's wider One Way Effector programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when uncrewed systems will start operating at British Army Training Unit Suffield.

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

Uncrewed systems are currently operating at British Army Training Unit Suffield. The site also supports the testing and evaluation of these systems across its 2,700 km² training area. As outlined in the Defence Investment Plan, future investment will better exploit the site's unique scale and freedom of manoeuvre, supporting the accelerated development and delivery of uncrewed systems capability.

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, whether his Department has contingency plans should the Hybrid Navy not be fully operational by 2035.

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

The Hybrid Navy is central to the Royal Navy’s future force design and will be delivered progressively through a mix of crewed and uncrewed capabilities. The Department continuously manages delivery risks, but the greater risk would be failing to adapt to the character of modern warfare.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, will the Type 26 frigates for Norway be built ahead of any UK MOD shipbuilding.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 16172, tabled on 06 July 2026:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-06/16172

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the expected timelines of the Land Mobility Programme.

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

The Land Mobility Programme (LMP) is a 20-year, pan-Defence programme to deliver digitally enabled, adaptable utility and protected mobility vehicles to the Joint Force. LMP comprises of three discrete sub-programmes: Heavy Protected Mobility (HPM), Light Protected Mobility (Lt PM) and Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV).

Each sub-programme is subject to separate investment approvals. Both HPM and Lt PM are in their Concept Phases, with timelines yet to be finalised. LMV is in its Assessment Phase with a competition due to start this year. Delivery of the first LMV platforms is anticipated from 2028, subject to successful competition and Departmental approvals.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timeline is for the establishment of the Digital Targeting Web.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 5 February 2026 to Question 109315, which referred him to the answer provided to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) to Question 96241 on 10 December 2025. The Digital Targeting Web is a continually evolving ecosystem and not a capability in the traditional sense. As such, its development will be an ongoing, iterative process.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 5^th 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 future strategic sea lift capability.

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

I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 17100 published on 17 July 2026:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-08/17100

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, whether the planned funding in new maritime capabilities of £32 billion between 2030-2035 is already included in his Department's budget.

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

Funding for investments beyond 2029-30 will be set out as part of future Spending Reviews and subsequent budget-setting processes, in the usual way.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what date will the Type 31 frigate come into service.

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

On current plans, the first of the Type 31 ships will be handed over to Royal Navy later this decade.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what work has taken place to establish a Digital Warfighter Group.

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

The Strategic Defence Review directed the establishment of a Digital Warfighter Group (DWG) to enable Defence to deploy digital and conventional warfighters on operations, side-by-side.

Focussed work on the establishment of the DWG is underway.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how does Taskforce RAID work or integrate with the AI Investment Fund.

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

The Defence Investment Plan allocated Taskforce RAID £100 million to deliver against four ‘challenge sets’ and prime Defence for a future of fast and effective AI adoption for warfighting. Taskforce RAID and the £500 million Sovereign AI Fund have separate purposes and governance arrangements, but both are looking to support UK businesses. The Sovereign AI Fund is focussed on helping AI startups to start and scale in the UK. The Taskforce is working closely with the British tech sector to access a broader market and boost UK SMEs.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the timelines of the New Medium Helicopter being built in Yeovil.

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

The first New Medium Helicopter delivery to the UK Armed Forces is expected to take place in 2030. This is part of the contract awarded to Leonardo Helicopters UK on 23 March 2026 to deliver 23 AW149 helicopters and four training simulators.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what will the split of crewed and uncrewed Naval assets be by 2030.

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

The Royal Navy is rapidly adopting a Hybrid Navy approach and already operates dozens of uncrewed platforms across a range of roles. Uncrewed systems will increasingly complement crewed ships and submarines as laid out in the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 41 of his department's Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what type of vehicles will the £150 million be used to procure in the rapid development and production of uncrewed ground vehicles.

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

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) outlined £150 million to commence a programme to rapidly develop and produce uncrewed vehicles for the Army, through UK industry.

The investment will support the development and procurement of a range of uncrewed ground vehicles for the British Army. These systems are expected to span a variety of payload capacities and, where appropriate, will employ common-base platforms and modular payloads to provide flexibility and value for money.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 45 of his Department's Defence Investment Plan, published 30 June 2026, what sovereign world-leading propulsion system will the Collaborate Combat Aircraft use.

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

Collaborate Combat Aircraft (CCA) are developmental. UK Defence will leverage years of work in advanced propulsion technologies. The RAF and Rolls-Royce joint investment in the Orpheus engine family is one example. This work will help to mature capabilities and inform future decisions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what quantum technologies are being used in FCAS and GCAP.

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

FCAS is exploring and developing concepts at this stage and GCAP is still in early design so the viability of specific technology solutions is still being assessed against the requirements. The potential of quantum technologies is being monitored, noting the potential for high rate of change.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made in the establishment of a Multilateral Defence Mechanism between UK, Finland, and the Netherlands.

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

On 6 July 2026, the UK, the Netherlands, Finland, and Poland reiterated our shared commitment to strengthening defence financing through the establishment of a Multilateral Defence Mechanism (MDM). As part of this commitment, the Defence Investment Plan includes £400 million towards the UK's contribution to the MDM.

This independent international financial institution will address our collective challenges in defence procurement by aggregating demand through procurement to achieve better value for money. It will lend to members for joint procurement, stockpiling on members' behalf, and supply chain finance to improve capability, interoperability, and value for money.

We continue to work with close allies to move quickly to formal Treaty negotiations, respecting individual members' ratification processes, while maintaining the shared ambition of setting up the MDM by 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 26 of his Department's Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what pioneering UK industrial research and development is being built on as part of the £150m to commence rapid production of Uncrewed Ground Vehicles.

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

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) outlined £150 million to commence a programme to rapidly develop and produce uncrewed vehicles for the Army, through UK industry.

This programme will build upon a substantial body of UK-funded research, development and experimentation undertaken by the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, industry and academia over a number of years. This body of research has included operational analysis and experimentation of the employment of uncrewed ground vehicles and the development of autonomous solutions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether DragonFire will be fitted on Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyers (a) from and (b) by 2027.

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

As announced in the Defence Investment Plan, the MOD will invest £490 million in Directed Energy Weapons, including DragonFire. With the transition to a Hybrid Navy and modernisation of our Armed Forces we are exploring how DragonFire could be utilised in a range of operational environments, taking lessons from the recent conflict in the Middle East.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percent of the total defence budget is spent on uncrewed systems.

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

As part of the largest ever drone investment in Defence, we are spending over £5 billion on autonomous systems by 2030. Based on current plans, this equates to approximately 1.7% of the expenditure set out in the Plan's four-year funding period. I would expect this to increase further as the technologies, tactics and platforms mature.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 43 of his Department's Defence Investment Plan, published 30 June 2026, what are the expected greater distances capability across the battlespace provided as part of Project ASGARD.

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

In the context of Project ASGARD in the Department's Defence Investment Plan, the phrase “greater distances across the battlespace” is not referring to a single metric, such as a specific range or timescale. It describes the combined operational effect achieved through the Digital Targeting Web: integrating sensors, data, AI, intelligence and fires to improve the Army’s ability to find and strike targets across a wider and more complex battlespace.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how will the policies of the Defence Strategic Approach to AI ensure that algorithms are both ethical and transparent.

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

The Defence Strategic Approach to AI will establish Defence's overarching position on AI adoption. It will reaffirm our commitment to complying with our legal obligations and developing and adopting AI safely and responsibly. The department plans to build and expand on our existing Responsible AI policy framework reflected in the Dependable AI JSP 936 which mandates that all AI use cases address specific AI safety, ethical and legal considerations, in line with our five AI ethical principles.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 42 of his Department's Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, how many Mk6A Chinooks will be retired and how many newer Chinooks will be purchased.

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.

Fourteen Chinook Mk6A aircraft are planned to retire, previously agreed in Nov 24. In addition, the Defence Investment Plan confirms the remaining 15 Chinook Mk6A aircraft will be retired from 2026 onwards. Subsequent recapitalisation will be via Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme Tranche 2 from the early 2030s. Fourteen H‑47(Extended Range) aircraft are already being procured under the previously approved Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme Tranche 1.

Final decisions on the quantity of aircraft to be procured through Tranche 2, based on technological advances, threats and requirements, have not yet been taken and remain subject to the programme's approvals process.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the latest project milestones for the Global Combat Air Programme.

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

Work is ongoing with our GCAP partners Japan and Italy where the programme's ambition remains to deliver an aircraft into service from 2035, and the detailed milestones will be agreed following the completion of the Concept and Assessment phase.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the breakdown of skills base of the 4,500 people working on FCAS and GCAP.

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

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, with the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) at its heart, is driving investment in a broad range of highly sought-after engineering and manufacturing skills, to keep the UK at the forefront of aerospace innovation. Digital first and data-driven, this includes skills such as model-based systems engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital engineering.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any other nations are expected to join the Global Combat Air Programme.

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

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has been designed with Allies and partners at its heart and interoperability at the centre of its development.

We and our GCAP partners Italy and Japan agree that the programme is in principle open to additional partners to secure burden-sharing, industrial benefits and growth opportunities, as long as programme delivery is assured. Decisions on any additional partners will be made jointly with Italy and Japan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the estimated timeline for all the F-35As to enter service.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 13 July 2026 to Question 16066.

The exact delivery profile and date of F-35 aircraft is subject to negotiation between the UK and multinational Joint Program Office, but the UK anticipates taking delivery of the next batch of F-35 aircraft from the early 2030s.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what were the findings of ARX Robotics UK testing in Estonia.

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

ARX Robotics UK systems were evaluated during a British Army exercise in Estonia in May 2026. The trial provided useful evidence regarding the potential of uncrewed ground systems to enhance situational awareness and support reconnaissance activities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the latest timelines for Challenger 3 completion.

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

I refer the hon. Member to Question 12210 which remains extant.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the planned timeline for the early retirement of the Shadow R1 ISR aircraft.

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

To ensure a managed drawdown, a detailed timeline for the retirement of the Shadow R1 fleet is currently being finalised.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the capability requirement of the £400 million of the Land Lethality Pipeline.

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

The Land Lethality Pipeline intends to provide Land Forces with uncrewed surveillance, reconnaissance and strike capabilities enabling them to conduct layered find-and-strike operations as part of modern combined arms warfare. These capabilities will include reconnaissance Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), strike drones, dropper drones and loitering munitions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when is the Defence Investment Summit expected to take place.

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

The Defence Investment Plan confirmed that the Ministry of Defence will convene a Defence Investment Summit to showcase emerging opportunities and set out the next phase of delivery. This will enable investors to assess opportunities, align capital, and create a credible bridge to the publication of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy in Autumn 2026.

Planning and design of the Defence Investment Summit are now underway, with further details on its scope, format and programme to be developed over the coming months.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide a breakdown by skillset of the 60,000 projected jobs created by the Defence Investment Plan.

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

The Defence Investment Plan is expected to support around 60,000 additional jobs by 2029-30 across the UK, creating opportunities across a broad range of occupations in defence, manufacturing and the wider economy.

Defence is working closely with industry, ADS and Skills England to identify the workforce and skills required to deliver the Plan.

The 2026 Skills England Annual Skills Report and forthcoming Defence Sector Jobs Plan will help identify and address the sector's priority skills requirements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the annual cost of the Defence Investment Unit.

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

The Defence Investment Plan confirmed that the Ministry of Defence will establish a Defence Investment Unit (DIU) as its centre of expertise for finance and investment, drawing on expertise from across Government and private sector secondees. The Unit will support delivery of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS) and the development of the Defence Investment Roadmap, including work to translate Defence priorities into market-facing propositions.

Funding has been allocated for implementation of the DFIS, which includes support for establishing the DIU. The Unit’s annual running costs will be determined through normal departmental business planning, reflecting its operating model, staffing profile and use of specialist external support.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the expected date of the publication of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS).

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

The Ministry of Defence intends to publish the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy in Autumn 2026. This timetable allows sufficient time following publication of the Defence Investment Plan to engage the sector and ensure the Strategy builds on the Plan by translating Defence’s long-term demand signal into a proposition for investors, industry, public financial institutions and allies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of spending on defence contracts has been awarded to UK companies in each year for the last 10 years.

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

The Ministry of Defence publish annual statistics on expenditure with industry and commerce. The statistics include direct MOD expenditure with UK and overseas industry, as well as payments to Foreign Governments and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreements with the US Government. Expenditure is allocated to specific regions or countries based on the location of where work is recorded as taking place. The table below details the percentage of work conducted in the UK for the financial years (FY) 2018-19 – 2024-25.

As you can see from the table the highest percentage of UK spend was in the first year of this administration, but we believe there is considerably more work to do and opportunities to realise to support British defence businesses large and small.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has the Defence Investors’ Advisory Group (DIAG) made since inception.

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

The Defence Investors’ Advisory Group has made strong progress in helping the Ministry of Defence build a more strategic relationship with the finance and investment community.

Since its establishment, the Group has brought senior expertise from venture capital, growth capital, private capital, lending and banking into Defence’s work on investment priorities and private capital mobilisation. Its input has helped shape the development of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy, including its investor-facing language, priority opportunities, approach to trusted capital, role for public financial institutions and implementation pathway.

The Group is also supporting work to identify and test investable opportunities from the Defence Investment Plan, helping Defence translate capability needs into investment committee ready propositions for the market. This work is supporting an enduring partnership between Defence and private capital, focused on capability, resilience, value for money and economic growth.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Royal Air Force is taking to support allies and partners, including in the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, South America and Africa.

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

The Strategic Defence Review and Defence Diplomacy Strategy set out the importance of maintaining and deepening our alliances and partnerships. The Ministry of Defence is taking a more deliberate, targeted and coherent approach to its international relationships with a range of allies and partners, enabling us to build world-beating capabilities, rally international support to our priorities, pursue export opportunities and strengthen our hand in competition with adversaries.

In the Middle East, our relationships are enabled through our persistent military footprint in the region, temporary deployments, security assurances, and increased joint capability development. We also advocate for increased burden sharing and intelligence exchanges with regional partners.

In the Indo-Pacific, we are focusing on capability and technology collaboration, military training and exercises, and intelligence sharing with key partners, including making the most of our membership of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, while seeking to maintain a persistent military presence.

In Africa, our support to partners promotes peace and stability and addresses upstream threats to UK and our allies’ interests. This includes deployments in Kenya and Somalia, support to UN missions and episodic tri-service deployments across the continent to conduct joint training and capability development activity.

In South America, we maintain our relationships with regional partners and allies through military co-operation and a persistent military forward presence. We have permanent deployments in the South Atlantic through British Forces South Atlantic Islands where we have two overseas bases (in the Falkland Islands and Ascension).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Army is taking to support allies and partners, including in the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, South America and Africa.

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

The Strategic Defence Review and Defence Diplomacy Strategy set out the importance of maintaining and deepening our alliances and partnerships. The Ministry of Defence is taking a more deliberate, targeted and coherent approach to its international relationships with a range of allies and partners, enabling us to build world-beating capabilities, rally international support to our priorities, pursue export opportunities and strengthen our hand in competition with adversaries.

In the Middle East, our relationships are enabled through our persistent military footprint in the region, temporary deployments, security assurances, and increased joint capability development. We also advocate for increased burden sharing and intelligence exchanges with regional partners.

In the Indo-Pacific, we are focusing on capability and technology collaboration, military training and exercises, and intelligence sharing with key partners, including making the most of our membership of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, while seeking to maintain a persistent military presence.

In Africa, our support to partners promotes peace and stability and addresses upstream threats to UK and our allies’ interests. This includes deployments in Kenya and Somalia, support to UN missions and episodic tri-service deployments across the continent to conduct joint training and capability development activity.

In South America, we maintain our relationships with regional partners and allies through military co-operation and a persistent military forward presence. We have permanent deployments in the South Atlantic through British Forces South Atlantic Islands where we have two overseas bases (in the Falkland Islands and Ascension).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support allies and partners, including in the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, South America and Africa, through permanent deployments.

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

The Strategic Defence Review and Defence Diplomacy Strategy set out the importance of maintaining and deepening our alliances and partnerships. The Ministry of Defence is taking a more deliberate, targeted and coherent approach to its international relationships with a range of allies and partners, enabling us to build world-beating capabilities, rally international support to our priorities, pursue export opportunities and strengthen our hand in competition with adversaries.

In the Middle East, our relationships are enabled through our persistent military footprint in the region, temporary deployments, security assurances, and increased joint capability development. We also advocate for increased burden sharing and intelligence exchanges with regional partners.

In the Indo-Pacific, we are focusing on capability and technology collaboration, military training and exercises, and intelligence sharing with key partners, including making the most of our membership of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, while seeking to maintain a persistent military presence.

In Africa, our support to partners promotes peace and stability and addresses upstream threats to UK and our allies’ interests. This includes deployments in Kenya and Somalia, support to UN missions and episodic tri-service deployments across the continent to conduct joint training and capability development activity.

In South America, we maintain our relationships with regional partners and allies through military co-operation and a persistent military forward presence. We have permanent deployments in the South Atlantic through British Forces South Atlantic Islands where we have two overseas bases (in the Falkland Islands and Ascension).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Royal Navy is taking to support allies and partners, including in the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, South America and Africa.

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

The Strategic Defence Review and Defence Diplomacy Strategy set out the importance of maintaining and deepening our alliances and partnerships. The Ministry of Defence is taking a more deliberate, targeted and coherent approach to its international relationships with a range of allies and partners, enabling us to build world-beating capabilities, rally international support to our priorities, pursue export opportunities and strengthen our hand in competition with adversaries.

In the Middle East, our relationships are enabled through our persistent military footprint in the region, temporary deployments, security assurances, and increased joint capability development. We also advocate for increased burden sharing and intelligence exchanges with regional partners.

In the Indo-Pacific, we are focusing on capability and technology collaboration, military training and exercises, and intelligence sharing with key partners, including making the most of our membership of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, while seeking to maintain a persistent military presence.

In Africa, our support to partners promotes peace and stability and addresses upstream threats to UK and our allies’ interests. This includes deployments in Kenya and Somalia, support to UN missions and episodic tri-service deployments across the continent to conduct joint training and capability development activity.

In South America, we maintain our relationships with regional partners and allies through military co-operation and a persistent military forward presence. We have permanent deployments in the South Atlantic through British Forces South Atlantic Islands where we have two overseas bases (in the Falkland Islands and Ascension).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the size and capability of the Navy.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the former Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns MP, to Question 118566 on 16 March 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what action is being taken to remove bureaucratic barriers to home ownership for first-time buyers.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government recognises that the affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people are now locked out of homeownership.

In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, the government is supporting people into home ownership, including through the shared ownership scheme and the Lifetime ISA, and is consulting on a new first-time buyer ISA product.

First time buyers also benefit from paying no Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) up to £300,000 and are able to claim relief on purchases up to £500,000. The government has also introduced a new, permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, available to support and sustain availability of low deposit mortgage products for prospective buyers.

Additionally, the Bank of England has been easing the loan-to-income limit, enabling up to 36,000 additional first-time buyers in the first year. The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) ongoing review of the mortgage market means many buyers can now borrow 10% more towards a property purchase, and in June the FCA published further proposals intended to support first-time buyers. First-time buyers may also benefit from home ownership initiatives offered at the local level.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 31 of his Department's Defence Investment plan, published 30 June 2026, what new measures he has introduced on single source contract regulations to incentivise on-time delivery and productivity improvements.

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

The Department has been working at pace on a review of the Single Source Contract Regulations, which governs some of the nation’s largest and most strategically important defence procurements and accounts for around half of defence spending on equipment.

In May 2026, we changed the law to increase the amount of profit available to suppliers delivering priority outcomes, such as faster delivery or greater productivity. We will be introducing further legislative changes this year to incentivise innovation, reduce the regulatory burden on Small and Medium Enterprise and encourage our suppliers to take on more risk bearing contracts, a Defence Industrial Strategy commitment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the first Type 93 will be completed.

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

The Defence Investment Plan announced at least £1.3 billion of investment in the Hybrid Navy Fleet, comprising uncrewed missile platforms (Type 91), uncrewed underwater sensing platforms (Type 92), extra-large uncrewed underwater vessels (Type 93), uncrewed radar platforms (Type 94) and a future class of Common Combat Vessel (CCV). Detailed requirements and delivery timelines remain subject to ongoing concept and assessment work. Current planning assumptions support the progressive introduction of Hybrid Navy capabilities from the early 2030s, but no specific service entry dates have yet been set for these platforms.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will the first Type 92 be completed.

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

The Defence Investment Plan announced at least £1.3 billion of investment in the Hybrid Navy Fleet, comprising uncrewed missile platforms (Type 91), uncrewed underwater sensing platforms (Type 92), extra-large uncrewed underwater vessels (Type 93), uncrewed radar platforms (Type 94) and a future class of Common Combat Vessel (CCV). Detailed requirements and delivery timelines remain subject to ongoing concept and assessment work. Current planning assumptions support the progressive introduction of Hybrid Navy capabilities from the early 2030s, but no specific service entry dates have yet been set for these platforms.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will the first Type 91 be completed.

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

The Defence Investment Plan announced at least £1.3 billion of investment in the Hybrid Navy Fleet, comprising uncrewed missile platforms (Type 91), uncrewed underwater sensing platforms (Type 92), extra-large uncrewed underwater vessels (Type 93), uncrewed radar platforms (Type 94) and a future class of Common Combat Vessel (CCV). Detailed requirements and delivery timelines remain subject to ongoing concept and assessment work. Current planning assumptions support the progressive introduction of Hybrid Navy capabilities from the early 2030s, but no specific service entry dates have yet been set for these platforms.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when is the Defence AI Centre (DAIC) being developed.

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

It was established in 2021 and is already operating as Defence's central organisation for accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will the first Common Combat Vessels (CCV) be completed.

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

The Defence Investment Plan announced at least £1.3 billion of investment in the Hybrid Navy Fleet, comprising uncrewed missile platforms (Type 91), uncrewed underwater sensing platforms (Type 92), extra-large uncrewed underwater vessels (Type 93), uncrewed radar platforms (Type 94) and a future class of Common Combat Vessel (CCV). Detailed requirements and delivery timelines remain subject to ongoing concept and assessment work. Current planning assumptions support the progressive introduction of Hybrid Navy capabilities from the early 2030s, but no specific service entry dates have yet been set for these platforms.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will the first Type 94 be completed.

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

The Defence Investment Plan announced at least £1.3 billion of investment in the Hybrid Navy Fleet, comprising uncrewed missile platforms (Type 91), uncrewed underwater sensing platforms (Type 92), extra-large uncrewed underwater vessels (Type 93), uncrewed radar platforms (Type 94) and a future class of Common Combat Vessel (CCV). Detailed requirements and delivery timelines remain subject to ongoing concept and assessment work. Current planning assumptions support the progressive introduction of Hybrid Navy capabilities from the early 2030s, but no specific service entry dates have yet been set for these platforms.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 34 of his department's Defence Investment plan, published 30 June 2026, will any AI be imbedded in the Integrated Force before 2030.

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

Defence is already increasing the use of AI across the Armed Forces through a range of programmes and capabilities. The Defence Investment Plan further states that AI will be embedded across the Integrated Force between 2030 and 2035.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to work with NATO Allies on interoperability.

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

The Government is committed to a NATO-first approach and is working with Allies to strengthen interoperability across the Alliance. The Strategic Defence Review directed Defence to establish a roadmap for delivering deeper interoperability with NATO Allies.

In response, Defence has developed the UK's Interoperability Roadmap, which we are now implementing, and which aligns with NATO's Interoperability Plan. The Roadmap focuses on improving the ability of the Armed Forces to operate seamlessly with Allies through common standards, digital integration, training, exercises and capability development.

The Defence Investment Plan reinforces this approach, placing NATO requirements and interoperability at the heart of UK capability planning by prioritising a transformed, NATO-first Integrated Force capable of deterring and fighting alongside Allies in the Euro-Atlantic.

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, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increased deployments to the High North on the capacity of Royal Marines; and what plans he has to (a) increase the number of Royal Marines and (b) cancel other commitments.

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

The Royal Marines are the UK's specialists in amphibious, extreme cold weather and mountainous warfare. The Royal Navy has prioritised Commando Force outputs, with High North warfighting and wider Euro-Atlantic activity identified as a core task. As the Royal Marines' most demanding operational role, prioritising High North warfighting ensures the Commando Force remains ready to undertake a broad range of Defence tasks. Having deployed regularly to the High North for decades, they are able to meet these commitments within existing workforce capacity.

There are currently no plans to cancel other commitments as a result of increased activity in the High North and remain capable of delivering homeland defence, crisis response, maritime special operations, and other sovereign tasks as required.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 40 of the DIP, what metric he plans to use to test the lethality of the Army.

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

The Defence Investment Plan sets out the ambition for the British Army to become ten times more lethal by 2035. This increase in lethality is not a single moment but a trajectory, assessed through the Army's ability to generate combat effects faster and more effectively than potential adversaries.

Progress is tracked against Army Command Plan milestones that reflect the transformation of fighting power. This approach, supported by investments in systems such as Project ASGARD, Challenger 3, and RCH-155, ensures the Army delivers a more lethal, tech-enabled force capable of deterring threats and defending the UK and NATO territory.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which uncrewed systems use AI-enabled swarms.

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

While Defence is actively researching, developing and experimenting with autonomous and collaborative behaviours, including swarming concepts, these activities remain in the assessment, experimentation and capability development phases and have not yet matured to a level suitable for operational service.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, out of the 31,080 (April 26) RAF personnel how many of them are medically downgraded.

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

At 1 April 2026 (most recently available data) 11.6% of UK full-time trained RAF personnel were graded Medically Non-Deployable (MND). Personnel graded as MND are not fit to deploy on Operations, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded MND may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities.

8.4% of RAF personnel were graded Medically Limited Deployable (MLD). Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available. As such, it should not be assumed that only those personnel graded Medically Fully Deployable are able to deploy.

This response presents Medical Deployability Standard (MDS) for full-time trained personnel as regular untrained personnel cannot deploy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will production commence on the the first Hybrid Navy Carrier Air Wing.

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

The Hybrid Air Wing is not a single product with one production start date. It is an evolving mix of crewed and uncrewed aircraft and one-way effectors that will be introduced incrementally. Delivery is already under way through the integration and trialling of uncrewed systems, supported by investment in Project PANTHEON and the UK Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of the British Army’s regular forces are undeployable or medically downgraded.

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

At 1 April 2026 (most recently available data) 10.5% of UK full time trade trained army personnel were graded Medically Limited Deployable (MLD). Personnel graded as MND are not fit to deploy on Operations, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded MND may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities.

14.3% of personnel were graded Medically Limited Deployable (MLD). Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available. As such, it should not be assumed that only those personnel graded Medically Fully Deployable are able to deploy.

This response presents Medical Deployability Standard (MDS) for all full-time trade trained army personnel, including Gurkhas and reservists.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines regular personnel are not deployable or medically downgraded.

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

At 1 April 2026 (most recently available data) 10.4% of Royal Navy personnel and 7.2% of Royal Marines personnel were graded Medically Non-Deployable (MND). Personnel graded as MND are not fit to deploy on Operations, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded MND may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities.

9.3% of Royal Navy Personnel and 6.8% of Royal Marines personnel were graded Medically Limited Deployable (MLD). Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available. As such, it should not be assumed that only those personnel graded Medically Fully Deployable are able to deploy.

This response presents Medical Deployability Standard (MDS) for full-time trained personnel as regular untrained personnel cannot deploy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 45 of his department's Defence Investment Plan, published 30 June 2026, whether the £70 billion for new capabilities in the air domain from 2030 and 2035 is currently planned in the budget.

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

The Defence Investment Plan restated the government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 3% in the next Parliament, with funding and plans to be set out at the next spending review where defence will be the number one priority. Consistent with these ambitions, the Defence Investment Plan specifies the plan to invest at least £70 billion in new air domain capabilities between 2030 and 2035. These figures reflect current planning assumptions and future investment requirements, with expenditure continuing to be considered through the Ministry of Defence’s regular planning and budget-setting processes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans that the £200 million of additional investment into counter drone technology will produce a capability that is operationally ready.

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

The pace of development and technological innovation of uncrewed aerial systems means the threat is in a state of constant change. To keep pace with the rapid evolution of the threat, counter drone capability needs to focus on spiral development, flexibility and modularity. The additional investment into counter drone technology will build on capability already in use and operationally proven and will ensure our Armed Forces are equipped with capability that keeps pace with the rapid evolution of the threat. We do not release details of in service dates for individual capabilities and protection areas where it would compromise operational security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 42 of his department's Defence Investment Plan, published 30 June 2026, whether the £36 billion planned to be invested in the land domain between 2030 and 2035 is in the current budget.

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

The £36 billion of planned investment in the land domain between 2030 and 2035 reflects the Department's current planning assumptions for the period beyond the present Spending Review settlement.

Detailing funding for investments beyond 2029-30 will be set out as part of future Spending Reviews and subsequent budget-setting processes in the usual way.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 36 of his Department's Defence investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what is his planned timetable for updating Parliament on the outcome of the review of future plans of Offshore Patrol Vessels.

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, with reference to page 37 of his Department's document entitled Defence Investment plan, published 30 June 2026, if he will set out the novel funding mechanisms to increase the resilience and protection of critical underwater infrastructure.

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

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Ministry of Defence will invest £330 million over the next four years in critical underwater infrastructure protection, including enhanced capabilities for RFA PROTEUS. We will also explore opportunities to partner with industry and investors on commercially provided solutions to increase the resilience and protection of associated capabilities. The timelines associated with programme delivery remain will be determined as specific capability solutions are down selected.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 41 of his Department's Defence Investment Plan, published 30 June 2026, what are the next generation of uncrewed aerial systems to replace legacy Watchkeeper drones.

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

Project CORVUS aims to provide a replacement to the Army’s Watchkeeper Uncrewed Aerial System, which is being retired from service with an Out of Service Date of March 2027.

Project CORVUS is subject to ongoing competition, and it would therefore be inappropriate to provide further detail at this stage.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 26 of his Department's Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what (a) definition and (b) measures of success does his Department have for its intention to outpace threats.

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

The Defence Investment Plan outlines how Defence will outpace threats through sustained investment in warfighting readiness, the rapid introduction of new capabilities, and the integration of advanced and emerging technologies across the force. This requires a model of constant innovation and there is therefore no end state for the Integrated Force.

Evidence gathered through force testing events, as well as lessons identified from contemporary conflicts, will ensure we constantly evaluate the impact of changing technology on our force design and the threat trajectory of our adversaries. The Secretary of State will receive an annual statement detailing how the integrated force model has changed in response to ensure accountability for the continual adaptation of the Integrated Force over time.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how will UK MOD protect AI IP while maximising dual-use frontier technology.

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

The UK MOD has an established policy for addressing Intellectual Property (IP), and all MOD projects are expected to set out a clear IP Strategy to ensure that IP is adequately protected, whilst securing maximum impact for our armed forces and value for money for the taxpayer.

The MOD will apply this policy to AI projects in the following ways:

1. Where AI technology is developed in-house by MOD research establishments, the IP in that technology will be owned by MOD and will be appropriately protected. Subject to any national security constraints, dual-use technology will be considered for exploitation in the wider economy, including through engagement with MOD’s wholly owned technology transfer company Ploughshare.

2. Where AI technology is developed by contractors on MOD’s behalf, our general policy is to leave the ownership of that technology with the contractors concerned, as they are best placed to pursue the commercial exploitation of that technology in other fields. MOD will take appropriate user rights in that technology to ensure that it can be fully exploited by our armed forces, and, subject to national security concerns, will encourage Industry to further exploit dual-use technology with other customers for the benefit of the wider economy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timescale for the ordering of 12 F-35A aircraft.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the Noble Lady to the answer given to Question 16066 to the hon. Member for South Shropshire (Stuart Anderson) on 13 July 2026 in the House of Commons.

The exact delivery profile and date of F-35 aircraft is subject to negotiation between the UK and multinational Joint Program Office, but the UK anticipates taking delivery of the next batch of F-35 aircraft from the early 2030s.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what orders they have placed for the F-35B aircraft; and what is the timescale for placing further orders.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the Noble Lady to the answer given to Question 16066 to the hon. Member for South Shropshire (Stuart Anderson) on 13 July 2026 in the House of Commons.

The exact delivery profile and date of F-35 aircraft is subject to negotiation between the UK and multinational Joint Program Office, but the UK anticipates taking delivery of the next batch of F-35 aircraft from the early 2030s.

Found: Commissioner of HM Treasury, Government Whip (from 08/07/2022 to 05/07/2024) – – 4,479 4,479 Stuart Anderson

Found: 20,261 8,330 Joy Morrissey Opposition Deputy Chief Whip - HOC from 03/11/2024 20,261 8,330 Stuart Anderson

Found: 20,261 8,330 Joy Morrissey Opposition Deputy Chief Whip - HOC from 03/11/2024 20,261 8,330 Stuart Anderson