Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to the Quarterly service personnel statistics: 1 October 2025, what assessment has he made of the cause of the decrease of personnel in the Full-Time Trained Strength (RN/RM & RAF) and Full-Time Trade Trained Strength (Army) in the 12 months to 1 October 2025.

UK Regular Armed Forces intake is now greater than outflow at the Tri-Service level and strength remained stable over a rolling 12-month period. Published stats (1 October 2025) show that since 1 October 2024, the total number of UK Forces Personnel has increased by 0.3% (increase of 516 to 182,063). Armed Forces inflow has increased by 13% when compared to previous 12-months. In the same period outflow reduced by 8%. There is no single reason why personnel leave the Armed Forces, but the personnel who completed the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey indicated reasons for leaving the Armed Forces included the impact of Service life on family and personal life and opportunities outside the Armed Forces. We are pleased to be reversing the trend of decline, with more people joining our Armed Forces than leaving for the first time in four years. But we know there is more to do to and are taking decisive action, including speeding up the process for those wishing to rejoin the Armed Forces, giving personnel the largest pay rise in decades and scrapping 100 outdated recruitment policies, and legislating the first-ever Armed Forces Commissioner to improve Service life.

Pursuant to the answer of 11th December 2025 to question 90800 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, what is the total size of the remuneration package for the RAF Engineers Financial Retention Incentive.

The total remuneration package for the RAF Engineers Financial Retention Incentive is approximately £113.5 million.

Pursuant to the answer of 11th December 2025 to question 90800 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the time taken to ensure that the programme has the required numbers of engineers on the ability to maintain the F-35 fleet.

The Department is taking measures to improve the recruitment and retention of engineers, whilst also increasing the number of engineers on the F-35 Lightning Force to improve availability.

What amphibious vessels are available to the a) Royal Navy and b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

As a matter of policy, the Department does not comment on the detailed readiness or availability of individual ships.

What is the out-of-service date of the 105mm light gun.

On current plans, the Out of Service Date for L118 105 mm Light Gun is 2030.

By when will the first phase of the Light Mobility Vehicle Project be completed.

The Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) sub programme is in its Concept Phase. On current plans, formal market engagement will commence in early 2026.

What steps he is taking to prevent industrial action from Royal Fleet Auxiliary a) ratings and b) officers.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a vital element of Defence, enabling the ability to deliver operational effect in conjunction with our allies around the world. We continue to engage constructively with the trade unions which represent RFA ratings and officers. It would not be appropriate to offer more detail of these engagements as discussions are ongoing.

What project milestone was achieved by General Dynamics on 23 July 2025.

All criteria for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) were met on 23 July 2025 and following a period of review, IOC was declared by the Army on 15 September 2025. I have put in place a Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme, which will assess how effective the Department has been at implementing the actions of previous reviews, and seeking anything further that is required regarding safety. It will be conducted by experts who are not part of the AJAX programme, including Malcolm Chalmers, to provide a more independent view. It will be overseen by me and report to the Defence Secretary. It will be conducted at pace, but it will not be rushed.

How many soldiers were hospitalised or received hearing-related injuries in relation to the Ajax programme since 23 July 2025.

Since 23 July 2025, centrally held electronic systems show fewer than five personnel have had a hospital admission recorded since their first use of Ajax. None of these were related to Ajax, hearing or vibration. In the same period, 27 personnel have had a hearing loss related read code entered into their electronic medical record since their first use of Ajax. However, the presence of read code does not imply either a long-term problem or that it has been caused by their use of Ajax. For any Service person their use of Ajax will be mixed with other potential sources of exposure. It is also possible that symptoms are not occupationally related.

How many vehicles have been purchased under the Boxer programme by variant.

623 vehicles have been contracted under the Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme. The table below shows the breakdown by variant: VariantQuantity PurchasedInfantry Carrier146Specialist Carrier200Command212Ambulance65

What discussions his Department has had with (a) General Dynamics, (b) the Senior Responsible Officer and (c) the British Army on the Ajax programme since 23 July 2025.

Since the incident during Exercise Titan Storm last month, I have been having regular discussions with key stakeholders from the Army and Ajax Programme team, and I met with General Dynamics on 9 December 2025. I have provided further details to the House via two Written Ministerial Statements and an Urgent Question reply in addition.

What the full scope is of Project Nightfall.

The scope of Project NIGHTFALL is to rapidly develop and produce, at scale, tactical ballistic missiles with a range of at least 500km, alongside associated mobile launchers.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System.

The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), has been considered as part of a suite of systems available for the AH-64E weapons load, providing the platform flexibility to engage a range of targets with a measured effect.The procurement for UK AH-64E is ongoing with the capability due to be integrated and introduced on UK AH-64E by 2027. The potential for use on other platforms remains under review and no final procurement decisions have been made for these.

What assessment has he made of the a) feasibility and b) potential merits of extending the out-of-service date of Warrior beyond 2027.

There are no plans to extend the out-of-service date for Warrior beyond 2027, and as such an extension is not under consideration. The focus remains on achieving the Strategic Defence Review's vision for a tenfold increase in British Army lethality over the next decade, with survivable and lethal platforms, such as armoured fighting vehicles, playing a central role alongside new layered systems of attritable and consumable platforms.

What will the training capacity shortfall be, and for how long, between the closure of ATR Winchester and opening of new facilities at ATR Pirbright.

There will be no shortfall in the training capacity between the closure of ATR Winchester and the opening of new facilities at ATR Pirbright. The Army has arranged for additional accommodation and other facilities to be made available for recruits at ATR Pirbright.

What progress has he made in identifying a replacement for FV433.

The Army’s FV433 self-propelled howitzer was replaced in the mid-1990s, by the AS90.

What assessment has he made of the quality of the a) workmanship and b) quality control on the Ajax production line at General Dynamics Merthyr Tydfil facility.

The Ajax programme has a Joint Acceptance Group; a collaborative team of British Army and General Dynamics Land Systems-UK personnel who work together to test, evaluate, and formally accept the new Ajax vehicles into service.

How many a) FV432 and b) FV433 vehicles are currently in service with the British Army, broken down by variant.

There are zero FV432 or FV433 vehicles in service with the British Army. None of the FV430 series of vehicles remain in service. These were modified under an Urgent Operational Requirement for operations in Iraq and subsequently re-designated as ‘BULLDOG’.

What the project stages and timeline are for the Challenger 3 programme.

Challenger 3 is currently undergoing demonstration phase trials to prove the performance of the tanks. Manufacturing will begin once the tank's performance is proven, rather than being tied to a specific deadline. The project team will review the timeline regularly to ensure alignment with delivery milestones, operational needs, and emerging technical risks.

What is the planned deadline for commencing the manufacturing phase of Challenger 3.

Challenger 3 is currently undergoing demonstration phase trials to prove the performance of the tanks. Manufacturing will begin once the tank's performance is proven, rather than being tied to a specific deadline. The project team will review the timeline regularly to ensure alignment with delivery milestones, operational needs, and emerging technical risks.