Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What is the scope of the Royal Navy’s Maritime Big Play programme.

The Maritime Big Play programme develops remotely piloted and autonomous systems to accelerate the adoption of these technologies across the AUKUS nations.

Pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2026 to question 121671 on F-35 Aircraft: Weapons, what is the difference between the Israeli F-35 weapons integration and the Royal Air Force F-35.

The UK F-35 programme is managed through a US Government F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) based in the USA.Israel is out-with the F-35 partner nation program and the UK does not have access to Israeli F-35 weapons integration information and therefore is unable to offer a comparison.

With reference to page 17 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy - Public Summary, what is the UK’s “persistent military forward presence” in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the South Atlantic, Defence maintains two overseas bases on Ascension Island and Falkland Islands. This enables a defensive military posture delivered through the presence of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands. The Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol Ship, HMS PROTECTOR, routinely deploys to the Antarctic Peninsula. RAF transport aircraft also periodically delivers logistics to British Antarctic Survey and conducts overflights. In the Caribbean, a Royal Naval ship maintains a persistent presence and contributes to maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as necessary during the hurricane season, and wider defence diplomacy. While the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) provides a training location for the Army. This range of activity is aligned with priorities set out in the Defence Diplomacy Strategy and underpinned by the presence of six Defence Sections who represent Defence and support wider UK interests through the development of close relationships with nations and the provision of expert advice.

With reference to page 17 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy - Public Summary, what are the export opportunities he plans to seize.

The Ministry of Defence is proactively supporting the UK's defence industry to seize export opportunities globally. In 2025, the UK secured over £20 billion worth of defence export deals with our allies and partners. This includes the historic £10 billion export deal with Norway to export at least five Type 26 frigates, and the £8 billion Typhoon partnership with Turkey. The Defence Diplomacy Strategy sets out how defence exports are a central component in making Defence an engine for growth, in line with the Defence Industrial Strategy. Due to commercial sensitivities, we do not comment on active export campaigns. However, we did publish information on recent successes in the press release of 26 December 2025. We also published the 2024 UK Defence Export Statistics on 5 March 2026. The Defence Diplomacy Strategy is implementing a range of actions including harnessing the former Department for Business and Trade personnel now integrated into Defence to drive effective and strategic engagement with exports; enhancing export literacy in international facing roles across Defence; and improving our export offer to partners in line with the Defence Industrial Strategy. As a result of these actions, we will build on our export successes into the future and support our ambition to be Europe’s lead defence exporting nation by 2035.

If he can confirm how many ships the Royal Navy has.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by my noble Friend, Lord Coaker, the Minister for the House of Lords, on 31 March 2026 the Question HL15483 asked by Baroness Goldie on 12 March 2026.

What is the Royal Navy commitment to the Standing NATO Maritime Group One in 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 March 2026 to Question 119559.

What the split is between projected (a) core defence spending and (b) remaining total NATO qualifying defence spending in 2026–27.

The Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish forecast figures. The UK's defence spending figures for 2026-27 are expected to be published by NATO this summer.

With reference to page 19 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy - Public Summary, how he will harness the power of data and AI to deliver and track defence diplomacy.

Through the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence will enhance how its data, digital, and AI platforms support Defence to plan and deliver defence diplomacy activity. Defence is already utilising these platforms through its Strategic Effects Cycle to support the prioritisation of defence diplomacy activity. The Ministry of Defence will use data and AI to support implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy and improve how we deliver and track defence diplomacy. This will include using our existing data and digital platforms to support the long-term planning of targeted and impactful High-Level International Engagement; using the new digital Pan Defence Skills Framework to track the training and skills of our personnel to support career progression and how international postings are assigned; and using data and AI to draw insights on how our defence diplomacy activity is contributing to strengthening our international relationships.

How much the UK has pledged to the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in a) 2024/25, b) 2025/26 and c) 2026/27.

The UK remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine's defence and security against ongoing Russian aggression. Over $80 billion has been pledged by the international community in military support for Ukraine since the UK took on the convening and co-chairing of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in February 2025.

With reference to the statement given by Director Strategic Capability, Engagement and Operations, Defence Equipment & Support, Lieutenant General Anna-Lee Reilly, at the Public Accounts Committee hearing on 24 March 2026, what Ajax 2 is.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What role did Director Strategic Capability, Engagement and Operations, Defence Equipment and Support, Lieutenant General Anna-Lee Reilly, play in the decision of the Army to declare Initial Operating Capability for Ajax in September 2025.

The Army confirmed Initial Operating Capability internally on 15 September 2025 at the Chief of the General Staff Command Group. Director General Materiel Delivery sits outside the Army’s command structure and is not a member of this group.

On what date is HMS Daring due to a) start and b) finish sea trials.

As the hon. Gentleman will recall, in accordance with established practice, the Royal Navy does not routinely comment on the detailed operational programme of its vessels.

For what reasons the Royal Navy’s commitment to provide the flagship for the Standing NATO Maritime Group One would be rescheduled.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 March 2026 to Question 119559.

On what date discussions were held between his Department and (a) NATO and (b) the Deutsche Marine regarding the replacement of HMS Dragon by the German frigate Sachsen in the Standing NATO Maritime Group One commitment.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 March 2026 to Question 119559.

What assessment has he made of the potential impact upon the UK military of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

The UK actively monitors and assesses all emerging threats to national security to safeguard the nation's interests. It would be inappropriate to comment on a hypothetical operational scenario.

Whether any British service personnel are currently serving with the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division.

For reasons of operational and personnel security, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on the specific roles, locations, or units in which UK personnel may be embedded.

Whether any British service personnel are serving with the United States Marine Corps 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

For reasons of operational and personnel security, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on the specific roles, locations, or units in which UK personnel may be embedded.

For what reason he withdrew HMS Dragon from the Standing NATO Maritime Group One commitment.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 March 2026 to Question 119559.

On what date was the decision taken to withdraw HMS Dragon from the Standing NATO Maritime Group One commitment.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 March 2026 to Question 119559.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 121233 on Qatar: Air Force, what the reason given by the Qatari Government was for the formal request of 12 Squadron moving to Qatar.

The Qatari government made a formal request in January to deploy 12 Squadron in support of their collective self-defence noting rising regional tensions.