Written questions by Rosindell.

Whether his Department plans to extend the operational life of the Type 45 Destroyer.

Awaiting answer.

If he will make it his Department’s policy to increase the number of operational submarine bases.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he has taken to support the development of new defence shipbuilding infrastructure in British shipyards.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department has taken to help ensure that the training of Armed Forces personnel keeps pace with technological development in systems.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he has taken to facilitate investment in defence infrastructure at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department has taken to improve the operational readiness of the Type a) 45 Destroyer and b) 23 Frigate.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department plans to extend the operational life of the remaining Type 23 Frigate Fleet.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he has taken to ensure that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary has adequate support capacity pending the fulfilment of the Fleet Solid Support Ship Programme.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he has taken to help improve low-cost counter-drone capabilities within the a) Army b) Royal Navy and c) Royal Airforce.

Awaiting answer.

If he will release a non-classified summary of Royal Navy tasking, deployments and readiness measures relevant to the protection of merchant shipping and UK economic interests.

Awaiting answer.

What co-ordination is taking place with (a) NATO allies and (b) international partners to secure maritime trade routes in the Middle East and deter attacks on commercial shipping.

Awaiting answer.

What the armed forces' current operational posture is for protecting merchant shipping in the Middle East and adjacent sea lanes; and what role Royal Navy frigates are undertaking within that posture.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking with allies to support deterrence and security in the Taiwan Strait.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the Government has alternative contingency arrangements in place to ensure uninterrupted defence and security support for Gibraltar should allied access through Spanish airspace or facilities be restricted.

RAF Gibraltar continues to operate as a sovereign UK military airfield, and the current overflight restrictions by Spain does not impede our operational freedom with respect to aircraft movements and does not impact NATO interoperability in the region.

Whether he has (a) sought and (b) received reassurances from the Spanish Government that recent restrictions on military airspace use will not be applied in a manner that could prejudice the UK's (i) ongoing and (ii) future arrangements concerning Gibraltar.

The draft Agreement reached between the UK and the European Union in respect of Gibraltar fully protects the UK's ability to operate to, through, and from our military facilities in Gibraltar.RAF Gibraltar continues to operate as a sovereign UK military airfield, and the current overflight ban by Spain does not impede our operational freedom with respect to aircraft movements.

What discussions he has held with his Spanish counterpart regarding the application of Spanish airspace or basing policies in ways that could affect Gibraltar or UK access to the territory.

The Defence and Foreign Secretaries meet regularly with their Spanish counterparts to discuss a range of issues of shared strategic interest. These recent interactions have not included discussion on the transit through Spanish airspace of UK military aircraft arriving at or departing from RAF Gibraltar.

Whether his Department has assessed the potential operational impact of Spanish restrictions on allied military aircraft on UK military mobility or contingency planning in the Western Mediterranean, including in relation to Gibraltar.

RAF Gibraltar continues to operate as a sovereign UK military airfield, and the current overflight restrictions by Spain does not impede our operational freedom with respect to aircraft movements and does not impact NATO interoperability in the region.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Spanish Government's decision to restrict the use of Spanish airspace and military facilities for certain allied military operations on the UK’s defence, security and diplomatic interests relating to Gibraltar.

RAF Gibraltar continues to operate as a sovereign UK military airfield, and the current overflight restrictions by Spain does not impede our operational freedom with respect to aircraft movements and does not impact NATO interoperability in the region.

What assessment he has made of the implications of Spain’s current airspace policy for NATO interoperability and collective defence in the Western Mediterranean region.

RAF Gibraltar continues to operate as a sovereign UK military airfield, and the current overflight restrictions by Spain does not impede our operational freedom with respect to aircraft movements and does not impact NATO interoperability in the region.

What steps the Government is taking to ensure that UK sovereignty, access and operational freedom in Gibraltar are not indirectly affected by unilateral policy decisions taken by neighbouring states.

The draft Agreement reached between the UK and the European Union in respect of Gibraltar fully protects the UK’s sovereignty, access and operational freedom in Gibraltar.