Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Navy ships are in the Middle East; and how many are tasked to the Middle East over the next 12 months.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK demonstrates our commitment to freedom of navigation though the forward deployment of the Frigate HMS Lancaster, supported by the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) RFA Cardigan Bay, which regularly patrols the Gulf of Oman and through the Strait of Hormuz. In addition to this, three minehunter vessels; HMS Middleton, HMS Bangor, and HMS Chiddingfold are permanently stationed in the Gulf and help, along with allies, maintain the flow of global maritime trade. The RN remains agile and ready to react to any emerging threats and tailor deployments based on operational need.
We do not comment on future operations as to do so could, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for awarding contracts to maintain (a) Challenger 3 tanks and (b) Boxer armoured fighting vehicles.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The support solutions for both the Challenger 3 tanks and the Boxer armoured fighting vehicles will be guided by the Land Integrated Operating Services, a cornerstone of the Land Industrial Strategy. Work is ongoing to develop a robust support solution, which will be contracted and in place prior to Initial Operating Capability in 2027 for Challenger 3.
The UK BOXER programme is part of the wider BOXER NATO Support Partnership, which will enable BOXER support to be in place for the Initial Operation capability in 2025. Once in-service, Boxer vehicles will be primarily maintained by the Field Army; supported by industry supplied Field Service Representative and partners.
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure regional security in the Middle East in addition to the deployment of Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels to the eastern Mediterranean.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK has deployed a significant support package to the region, including RAF surveillance aircraft in addition to the Royal Navy ships. They will be there to support regional stability and help prevent escalation. Royal Navy ships are configured for a range of scenarios including humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
The UK is regularly engaging at all levels with our Defence partners in the Middle East and will continue to do so as the current situation develops.
We are working with our international partners to prevent this situation spreading and causing wider instability. We remain committed to making progress towards a two-state solution.
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the planned personnel strength of the British Army in the next five years is.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As confirmed in the refresh of the Defence Command Paper, the Army is adjusting to its planned strength of 73,000 until 2025. This will then remain the Army’s indicative planned strength for the next five years.
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Government plans to undertake its next defence and security review.
Answered by James Heappey
In response to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and an increasingly contested world, Defence supported the Government's Integrated Review Refresh (IR23) and subsequently published the Defence Command Paper (DCP23). It articulated the changes we need to see in order to counter the threats we face, to confront the challenges, and seize the opportunities that emerge. Our efforts are focused on turning these words into action immediately. Across the Defence enterprise - from People to Nuclear - we are implementing the commitments made in Defence Command Paper 2023.
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the operational status of each of the Royal Navy's frigates and destroyers is by name of ship.
Answered by James Heappey
All Royal Navy (RN) ships rotate through planned operating cycles involving maintenance, repair, training, deployment, leave and upgrades. This results in individual ships being at various levels of readiness at any one time in accordance with the long-term operating schedule and operational needs; they remain in service during these periods.
It is our policy to not disclose the readiness state of individual ships as this would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) end of service year for each Type 23 frigate and (b) in service year for each Type 26 frigate due to replace those frigates is.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
On current plans, the last Type 23 frigate will transition out of service in 2035 and eight Type 26 and five Type 31 Frigates are expected to begin being brought into service in the early 2030s.
To avoid compromising operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose individual out of service dates or specific in-service dates for warships to avoid revealing elements of the Fleet's long-term schedule. However, the Royal Navy continues to ensure that it has sufficient assets available to deliver operational outputs.
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the armed forces' strategic lift capability.
Answered by James Heappey
Strategic and tactical airlift provided by the RAF's Air Mobility fleet are key components of UK defence capability. Both are kept under review through the Capability Investigation process to ensure we are able to meet our current and future requirements in a rapidly changing and volatile world.
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will re-evaluate the adequacy of the armed forces' tactical lift capability.
Answered by James Heappey
Strategic and tactical airlift provided by the RAF's Air Mobility fleet are key components of UK defence capability. Both are kept under review through the Capability Investigation process to ensure we are able to meet our current and future requirements in a rapidly changing and volatile world.
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to award a coronation medal.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Government is supporting The Royal Household to develop a range of plans for the Coronation. More details about the Coronation will be released as they are confirmed.