Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on creating a shared understanding of (a) current capacity, (b) current and potential future need and (c) shared plans for delivery.

There is a strong foundation of cross-Government working between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), including planning to meet the demands of warfighting and other strategic health emergencies. A series of workshops involving both the MOD and DHSC are exploring the UK’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties. The MOD is also participating in DHSC’s cross-Government Exercise PEGASUS, the national tier 1 pandemic preparedness exercise set to assess the UK’s ability to respond to a pandemic. Both activities focus on understanding system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery.

With reference to page 131 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 20025, what progress he has made in ensuring Defence Medical Services share expertise and skills with (a) the NHS and (b) private healthcare providers.

There is a strong foundation of cross-Government working between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), including planning to meet the demands of warfighting and other strategic health emergencies. A series of workshops involving both the MOD and DHSC are exploring the UK’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties. The MOD is also participating in DHSC’s cross-Government Exercise PEGASUS, the national tier 1 pandemic preparedness exercise set to assess the UK’s ability to respond to a pandemic. Both activities focus on understanding system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery.

With reference to page 131 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on aligning with the NHS on (a) pay, (b) benefits and (c) terms and conditions.

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review vision and recommendations is underway, including to ensure that pay and benefits for military medical personnel are competitive with civilian healthcare roles. The Ministry of Defence has worked to align benefits with those offered by the NHS, including pension schemes, allowances, and access to professional development opportunities. Defence personnel will benefit from unique offerings, such as subsidised accommodation, access to military facilities, and opportunities for operational experience. On terms and conditions, work is progressing to modernise terms and conditions to reflect NHS standards where appropriate. This includes exploring greater flexibility in working arrangements, improved leave policies, and support for work-life balance.

With reference to recommendation 34 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in determining what the post-Dreadnought nuclear deterrent would be.

This Government is fully committed to the United Kingdom’s independent nuclear deterrent, underpinned by our triple lock commitment to continue to build the four new Dreadnought Class submarines, maintain our continuous at sea deterrent and deliver all the required upgrades, including the replacement warhead. The Government has accepted all of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations, including the need to start to define the requirement for the post-Dreadnought nuclear deterrent within this Parliament, and is currently working to progress this.

How many fully deployable divisional headquarters does the British Army have.

The British Army has two deployable divisions: 1 (UK) Division and 3 (UK) Division. Both have their own divisional headquarters.

With reference to recommendation 45 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, which battalion group of the Parachute Regiment will airborne parachute (a) capability and (b) capacity be focused on.

Recommendation 45 of the Strategic Defence Review is a planning assumption to inform equipment, training, and workforce readiness. The Battalion Group will be formed from across 16 Air Assault Brigade – predominantly 2 PARA and 3 PARA.

With reference to recommendation 41 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in modernising the (a) two divisions and (b) Corps HQ that the British Army provides to NATO’s strategic reserve corps.

The delivery of the Army’s modernisation programme is ongoing and subject to review as part of the Defence Investment Plan. Early steps that have already been made include: the elevation of key capabilities to the Corps level (Engineers, Air Defence, Aviation, Medical, Military Policing); the re-establishment of Armoured Infantry capability for 3 (UK) Division; the establishment of a new Reconnaissance Strike Brigade for 1 (UK) Division. We have also grown capabilities in a number of areas including Counter-Intelligence, Close Support Engineering, and Land Targeting. The headmark for the delivery of the associated capability modernisation and transformation programmes remains 2035.

With reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in exploring alternative approaches for the Royal Navy to deliver a (a) balanced and (b) cost-effective fleet.

The First Sea Lord has outlined a bold new vision for a ‘Hybrid Navy’ as demanded by the Strategic Defence Review. This paradigm shift proposes far greater use of autonomous systems, digitisation, and Artificial Intelligence to create a fleet of crewed and uncrewed systems, increasing the mass and lethality of future Naval Task Groups. The plan also includes a re-imagined industrial and organisational model to accelerate delivery of cutting-edge technology to the frontline, supporting both operational advantage and UK industry. These proposals are being considered alongside other requirements as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to recommendation 53 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a strong training offer that nurtures critical specialist skills.

The Defence Intelligence Academy was established in October 2025 by Commander Cyber and Specialist Operations Command and the Chief of Defence Intelligence as part of Defence’s efforts to ensure a strong training offer. The programme to do so has focussed on the higher-level Command structures, while delivering several new and innovative training courses focussed on enhancing critical specialist skills. It will cohere delivery across the Military Intelligence Services. The Defence Intelligence Academy is also optimising its courses for future intelligence requirements and technology, improve training delivery methods, and emphasising career-long education.

With reference to page 113 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what air-to-air refuelling capability does the RAF contribute to NATO plans in the Euro-Atlantic.

The RAF Voyager Force contributes to NATO Integrated Air Defence and NATO Enhanced Air Policing. In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the answer the right hon. Member for Liverpool Garston (Maria Eagle) gave to him on 4 July 2025 to Question 63066.

With reference to recommendation 35 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made on developing mechanisms for the enhanced parliamentary scrutiny of the UK’s nuclear deterrent spending.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 September 2025 to Question 70759 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

With reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the use of commercial vessels to augment the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fleet Solid Support Ships in non-contested environments.

The Ministry of Defence continues to assess options for augmenting Fleet Solid Support capabilities in non-contested environments. Commercial vessels are being considered for low-risk logistical roles, offering potential benefits in cost and flexibility. Work is underway to establish assured access to UK-based shipping through strategic frameworks, supported by industry engagement via the Shipping Defence Advisory Council. These efforts aim to ensure readiness through identified vessels, trained crews, and secure communications infrastructure.

With reference to page 112 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the level of challenge to the primacy of crewed aircraft.

The safety of aircrew and the survivability of crewed platforms remain paramount. The Strategic Defence Review sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government endorses the Review's vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. The implementation of the Review's recommendations is underway; this will be priority business and will be executed through a whole of UK Defence effort. Our Defence Investment Plan (DIP) which will be published in due course, will set out how we intend to deliver the Review's recommendations. The DIP will be affordable, consider infrastructure and people, alongside capabilities and enable flexibility to seize new technological opportunities maximising the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy.

With reference to page 113 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in increasing RAF reserves by 50%.

The RAF continues to make positive progress toward increasing its Reserves by 50% by focusing on recruitment activity, structural reform and strategic alignment. The RAF is prioritising the growth of the Part Time Volunteer Reserves, who are the reserve of first choice for operational support, while also enhancing the management and training of the Strategic Reserve to maximise the skills and experience of ex-Regular personnel.

What recent progress he has made on migrating official tier users to the new MODNET platform.

16,000 devices (approx. 8%) have been enrolled to the new MODNET platform as at week commencing 6 October 2025. A site-by-site device migration is currently underway.

With reference to page 88 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on organising public engagement days.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 September 2025 to Question 70737 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr James Cartlidge).

With reference to page 22 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what changes have been made to Royal Navy rules of engagement to track vessels suspected of (a) spying and (b) sabotage.

The Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence continuously assess its Rules of Engagement to ensure our Armed Forces can act appropriately against malign activities and future threats. For reasons of national security, I am not able to disclose specific rules of engagement, nor can I indicate when a review of our profiles was conducted and any potential changes that followed.

With reference to box 12 page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in developing acoustic detection systems (a) powered by artificial intelligence and (b) integrated into the digital targeting web.

Atlantic Bastion is a portfolio of programmes to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and in support of NATO against a range of underwater threats. It will develop a range of capabilities that enhance existing systems and deploy new platforms into the North Atlantic. It is separate from Baltic Sentry, which is a NATO led activity in the Baltic Sea to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure. The Royal Navy will be able to learn from Baltic Sentry and be able to share lessons from Bastion programmes with NATO allies. Through AUKUS Pillar 2, the nations are working together on an algorithm to support Maritime Patrol Aircraft processing systems. This work will inform future capability development of Bastion systems powered by AI to enhance acoustic detection. Capability options under Atlantic Bastion are submitted for consideration in the Defence Investment Plan. Options for capabilities that would be deployable from the Type 26 Frigate Force are included in these options.

With reference to page 71 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Education to help tackle barriers to education for people within his Department.

Defence officials continue to work closely with colleagues in the Department for Education to ensure consistency of educational frameworks, standards and outcomes. We work hard to remove barriers to learning for our personnel and provide tailored support for those with Specific Learning Differences. Support is provided through English and Maths Functional Skills training, promotion of GCSE attainment, industry-recognised apprenticeships that accredit trade training, and schemes like Standard and Enhanced Learning Credits. Our leadership and management development programmes, using professional partners, as well as allowances for further and higher education, also provide opportunities for continued learning and development.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment he has made of the feasibility of participating in the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile export market.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD), working closely with MBDA UK and the Meteor partner nations, supports the export of the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile which is a strategically important capability manufactured and assembled in the UK. Currently, Meteor is integrated on the Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen and Rafale combat air platforms and is operated by/on contract with 14 countries including the UK. The UK and Italy are working to integrate Meteor on F-35, which will be the most widely procured combat air platform in history. Additionally, the MOD is playing a key role in supporting Republic of Korea’s integration of Meteor on to its KF-21 aircraft. This resulted in a significant export sale of Meteor in 2023. All future UK BVRAAM development will be conducted with exportability as a fundamental requirement.