Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What additional support from the Global F-35 programme has the Royal Navy received in order to meet Full Operational Capability for the recent deployment of the Carrier Strike Group.

I am withholding the specific criteria for achieving Full Operating Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The declaration of Full Operating Capability remains on track. The decision will be based on objective criteria and the subjective assessment of the Senior Responsible Owner, following detailed and rigorous analysis, which will be captured in the Full Operating Capability acceptance case report.

When the next meeting is of the Defence growth board; and how regularly does it meet.

The Defence Growth Board last met on 3 November 2025, and the next meeting will be after the Budget.

Who the members of the Defence Growth Board are.

The members of the Defence Growth Board include the Secretary of State for Defence, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State for Business.

With reference to page 23 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, what progress he has made on determining which banks will form part of the defence industrial base.

Banks and other financial services companies, whose capital and expertise we need to invest and grow the defence sector, are being engaged in the development of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy through the Defence Investors Advisory Group. This engagement informs both Government, industry and the investor community on what types of opportunity are appropriate, and how barriers to investment in defence can be removed while making the sector more attractive for private investment. This includes venture capital, private equity, banks and pension funds. This will deliver growth and strengthen the UK defence industrial base. The Defence Finance and Investment Strategy will set this out and is due to be published in early 2026.

What discussions has he held with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space on the potential merits of enhanced UK-EU cooperation under Security Action for Europe.

The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU. We are working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes taking forward discussions on a bilateral participation agreement for enhanced cooperation under the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Defence Secretary continues to work constructively with all of our European allies, including with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, to enhance Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and to deliver the critical capabilities to support Ukraine. We will not pre-empt the outcome of discussions with our European partners, this Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value to the UK and UK industry.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of levels of (a) noise and (b) vibration on the (i) Ajax, (ii) Ares and (iii) Athena vehicles on the health of service personnel.

As safety of our personnel is the top priority for the Ministerial Team, prior to Ajax Initial Operating Capability being announced, I sought assurances in writing from the Chief of the Defence Staff and the National Armaments Director that the system was safe to operate, which I received.. As such, following the recent incident where noise and vibration symptoms were reported by some personnel operating Ajax, and out of an abundance of caution, I directed a pause on the use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out. The Defence Accident Investigation Board are working with the Army Safety Investigation Team and General Dynamics at pace to conduct an investigation into the incident.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2025 to Question 69517 on Typhoon Aircraft: Decommissioning, what planned block upgrades there are to the Typhoon programme after 2035.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 October 2025 to Question 79721.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 79460 on UK Space Command, what the (a) name and (b) scope is of the project for new detection technology.

In order to maintain operational security and protect our assets, we are unable to provide detailed information on specific technical characteristics or on the scope and deployment of the project's systems. For this reason, we are also unable to provide the name of the project.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 79617 on Military Bases, what disused bases are earmarked for disposal in this Parliament.

The list of sites that have been identified for disposal are published on Gov.uk and can be found via the following link: Disposal database: House of Commons report - GOV.UK

How the stealth characteristics of the UK's F-35 aircraft are measured.

A revised Business Case for a Sovereign Low Observable Verification Facility will be submitted in 2027. We do not comment on the stealth characteristics of individual aircraft for very obvious operational reasons.

With reference to paragraph 11 of the Fifty-First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts, entitled The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC 1232, for what reason the UK F-35 fleet achieved approximately one-third of the target for the time it was able to fly all its required missions in 2024.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not release availability data for operational security reasons; the National Audit Office (NAO) reporting of this metric was also appropriately redacted for this reason. The standard availability metric used by the NAO assumes that the assets are available 24/7; which skews the metric when calculating MOD capability usage, particularly Combat Air, as we do not keep the assets airborne 24/7.There were a range of factors in the reported October 2024-January 2025 period including Force regeneration as part of standard Force Readiness cycles, and periods of planned personnel leave. This included a period when both Squadrons were deployed to a Carrier for an Exercise, routine post exercise regeneration with personnel leave and scheduled aircraft maintenance for many of the aircraft, and the Christmas and New Year leave period.

What was the availability of the F-35 fleet in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not release availability data for operational security reasons; the National Audit Office (NAO) reporting of this metric was also appropriately redacted for this reason. The standard availability metric used by the NAO assumes that the assets are available 24/7; which skews the metric when calculating MOD capability usage, particularly Combat Air, as we do not keep the assets airborne 24/7.There were a range of factors in the reported October 2024-January 2025 period including Force regeneration as part of standard Force Readiness cycles, and periods of planned personnel leave. This included a period when both Squadrons were deployed to a Carrier for an Exercise, routine post exercise regeneration with personnel leave and scheduled aircraft maintenance for many of the aircraft, and the Christmas and New Year leave period.

What progress he has made on including a UK weapon in the F-35 Joint Programme Office digital accelerator.

The UK continues to work closely with the F-35 Joint Program Office and our suppliers to progress UK weapons in the digital accelerator. The value of the digital accelerator in driving out cost and reducing timelines is well recognised and the UK is working to exploit the opportunity.

With reference to paragraph 11 of the Fifty-First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts, entitled The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC 1232, for what reason the UK F-35 fleet achieved two-fifths of the level of availability of the global F-35B fleet between October 2024 and January 2025.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not release availability data for operational security reasons; the National Audit Office (NAO) reporting of this metric was also appropriately redacted for this reason. The standard availability metric used by the NAO assumes that the assets are available 24/7; which skews the metric when calculating MOD capability usage, particularly Combat Air, as we do not keep the assets airborne 24/7.There were a range of factors in the reported October 2024-January 2025 period including Force regeneration as part of standard Force Readiness cycles, and periods of planned personnel leave. This included a period when both Squadrons were deployed to a Carrier for an Exercise, routine post exercise regeneration with personnel leave and scheduled aircraft maintenance for many of the aircraft, and the Christmas and New Year leave period.

How many planes was the F-35 training squadron reduced by in order to facilitate the recent deployment of the Carrier Strike Group.

The Lightning Fleet operates as a total Force, individual airframes are not permanently allocated to units. They are allocated on a day-to-day basis to meet daily tasking requirements of each unit. Throughout the period of the Carrier Strike Group deployment the Operational Conversion Unit 207 Squadron has operated sufficient airframes to meet all its planned training and course output requirements.

What the timeline is for completion of new service accommodation at RAF Marham.

Four new Single Living Accommodation blocks are under construction at RAF Marham. The first block is scheduled for completion and handover for occupation on 4 December 2025, with two further blocks due for completion by February 2026. The final block is planned for completion in April 2027.There are no plans for the construction of new Service Family Accommodation at RAF Marham.

With reference to paragraph 13 of the Fifty-First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2024-26 on The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC1232, published on 31 October 2025, what progress he has made in identifying other weapons to purchase for the F-35 which are already available and integrated.

The F-35B Lightning's fifth-generation capabilities are transforming its operational effectiveness. The Lightning uses advanced stealth low observable capabilities and unparalleled sensor fusion and threat detection. When combined with the Lightning Electronic Warfare, Jamming and Electronic Attack capabilities, it provides the capability to dominate a highly contested battlespace.In parallel, its sensor fusion and advanced secure datalinks enable it to share threat and advanced targeting information with other UK offensive assets and those of Allies in real time to coordinate with a wide range of other stand-off weapon systems across maritime, land and air-based systems to achieve a wider decisive Joint Fires effect.The future F-35B munitions strategy is being addressed through the Defence Investment Plan.

When he will set out a timetable for the purchase of the remaining 90 F-35 aircraft his Department committed to purchasing.

The recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review are being taken forward in the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to the Fifty First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2024-26 on The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC 1232, published on 31 October 2025, what steps is he taking to address the lack of a standoff weapon to attack ground-based targets from a safe distance.

The F-35B Lightning's fifth-generation capabilities are transforming its operational effectiveness. The Lightning uses advanced stealth low observable capabilities and unparalleled sensor fusion and threat detection. When combined with the Lightning Electronic Warfare, Jamming and Electronic Attack capabilities, it provides the capability to dominate a highly contested battlespace.In parallel, its sensor fusion and advanced secure datalinks enable it to share threat and advanced targeting information with other UK offensive assets and those of Allies in real time to coordinate with a wide range of other stand-off weapon systems across maritime, land and air-based systems to achieve a wider decisive Joint Fires effect.The future F-35B munitions strategy is being addressed through the Defence Investment Plan.

What progress he has made in building the sovereign Air Signature Assessment Facility.

A revised Business Case for a Sovereign Low Observable Verification Facility will be submitted in 2027. We do not comment on the stealth characteristics of individual aircraft for very obvious operational reasons.