Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Whether he had made recent progress on integrating Brimstone 3 onto the Protector platform.

Brimstone 3 remains in the Demonstration and Manufacture phase. Assurance testing of operational software for use on Protector is now underway.

With reference to page 22 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what the composition is of the Joint Expeditionary Force.

The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is a coalition of ten like-minded NATO nations: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK, which acts as Framework Nation. The JEF is a high-readiness multinational defence framework designed to respond rapidly to crises, particularly in the High North, North Atlantic, and the Baltic Sea Region. It operates flexibly, with no standing force elements, instead drawing national contributions on a case-by-case basis.

With reference to page 120 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on fusing CyberEM activity in pursuit of (a) sovereign and (b) NATO operations.

The Ministry of Defence works closely with allies and partners on shared mission sets in preparing for future operational scenarios. The newly established 2 star Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (within Cyber and Specialist Operations Command) will drive the fusion of these efforts, with a particular emphasis on electromagnetic operations. This approach aims to ensure that insights from the Ukraine conflict are applied to both present and future sovereign and NATO strategy development and operational planning.

With reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he he made on building on UK membership of (a) minilateral groupings and (b) the Combined Space Operations initiative to help ensure that NATO has an effective space policy.

The United Kingdom remains firmly committed to collaborating with international partners and allies through a range of fora, including the Combined Space Operations (CSpO) initiative. Through these partnerships, we are building a shared understanding of evolving space threats, integrating space more effectively into defence operations, and pursuing interoperability and resilience across our defence space capabilities. As NATO continues to implement its space policy, the United Kingdom is actively contributing to these efforts by leveraging the expertise and insights gained through wider collaboration with international partners, many of whom are also NATO members. In doing so, the United Kingdom helps to shape discussions and drive progress on NATO’s space policy, strengthening the Alliance’s ability to address emerging challenges in an increasingly contested space environment.

What progress he has made on dismantling HMS Swiftsure.

To date almost 550 tonnes of conventional waste have been removed and recycled from Swiftsure, with 90% of her total weight expected to be recycled in due course. In June 2025, Swiftsure’s fin was cut and removed, marking a key project milestone. This unique project is providing a safe, environmentally responsible and cost-effective solution for the recycling of the UK’s decommissioned nuclear fleet and supports 200 highly-skilled jobs in Rosyth.

With reference to page 127 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, which aspects of defence intelligence capabilities his Department has assessed as (a) underpowered and (b) fragmented.

The Ministry of Defence keeps all areas of its capability under review to ensure we are ready to meet the threat posed by adversaries and to protect the UK, but we do not comment in detail on aspects of Defence capability that could be useful to adversaries.

With reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on mapping reservists’ (a) locations and (b) skills.

In support of the Strategic Defence Review recommendation to step-up engagement with the Strategic Reserve, the Military Strategic Headquarters, in partnership with the Military Commands, is leading work to gather and assure the relevant information on ex-Regular Service personnel who still hold a Strategic Reserve liability. This includes gathering updated contact and location details, and in future, skills information. We are improving our assurance of this information, such as through the UK exercise programme in coming years.

With reference to page 71 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made on exploring options to support home ownership by service personnel.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) remains committed to supporting home ownership amongst Service personnel, and through the Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) Scheme, has already supported thousands of personnel, and their families, to get on the property ladder. The Scheme has been intentionally designed to work with the inherent mobility of Service and already supports personnel transferring the outstanding FHTB balance to a new qualifying property on assignment, along with financial support for the legal costs of moving house. It also permits personnel to let out their property after an initial qualifying period when assigned to a location too far away to commute on a daily basis. FHTB enables Service personnel to borrow up to 50 per cent of their salary, up to a maximum of £25,000 interest-free, towards the purchase of a property. As the FHTB is a loan scheme, it is essentially self-funding, meaning that payments are funded from repayments. With regards to the Strategic Defence Review, Defence is still considering options to further support home ownership, in addition to potential enhancements to the FHTB scheme.

With reference to page 79 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what steps he is taking to uphold the Antarctic Treaty system.

Defence plays an important role in safeguarding UK interests in Antarctica, including the British Antarctic Territory and supporting UK roles and responsibilities to the Antarctic Treaty. The Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol Ship, HMS PROTECTOR, routinely deploys to the Antarctic Peninsula. Activities include: undertaking hydrographic surveys to improve the safety of navigation; facilitating inspections under the Antarctic Treaty; and assistance to the British Antarctic Survey and UK Antarctic Heritage Trust. RAF transport aircraft periodically deliver logistics to British Antarctic Survey through airdrops. The MOD is supporting the FCDO’s work to publish a UK Antarctic strategy by the end of the year, which will set the Government’s aims and ambitions for Antarctica for the next 10 years.

With reference to recommendation 55 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a government-wide review of handling processes for intelligence material.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State (Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry) on 6 September 2025 to question 70782.

With reference to page 128 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on aligning (a) architecture and (b) standards with the (i) defence-wide digital network, (ii) platforms and (iii) services held at above secret.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not comment on the detail of networks operating at Secret or above for reasons of national security. While the Strategic Defence Review 2025 outlines our ambition to align architecture and standards across defence digital capabilities, it would be inappropriate to disclose specific progress or integration details relating to Secret and Above Secret systems, platforms or services. In terms of standards, Defence Developer Services (D2S) is a containerised platform hosted on MODCloud which can be used to build, test, and deploy applications that can be a mix of own code, open-source and off-the-shelf solutions.

What recent progress he has made on implementing a new non-tidal maintenance berth as part of the Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future project.

The Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future (SWIF) programme will provide facilities to locations such as Devenport that include a new non-tidal maintenance berth in 5 Basin, a refurbished 10 Dock, and supporting buildings and services. Significant planning has been undertaken in preparation for build, including working with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and de-risking the site for construction. The construction phase of the berth has commenced, with the excavation of more than 18,000 cubic metres of material, which will form the 280-metre-long tunnel that will carry electrical, water, communications and air services vital to the nuclear safety and maintenance of berthed submarines. The berth wall will be formed from a series of precast concrete reinforced sections secured by rock anchor to provide the required stability; as a precursor to this work four trial anchors are currently under construction. Progress against 10 dock refurbishment includes trial build activity and the fabrication of a dockyard concrete batching plant, which will support the pace required during main dock construction. Significant volumes of concrete were also poured in the Spring this year, the biggest single pour in 20 years at the dockyard, to form the base of the caisson which seals the dock. The next phase of caisson construction activity is due to commence in the coming days.

With reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on reinvigorating the strategic reserve.

The Military Strategic Headquarters, in partnership with the Military Commands, is leading work to plan the reinvigoration of the Strategic Reserve. This includes scoping how to increase engagement through annual training opportunities, exercises and exploring a digitised approach to Reserves management.

With reference to page 118 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on re-establishing a Cabinet sub‑Committee or equivalent ministerial group to set the UK’s strategic approach to space.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard) on 6 September 2025 to Questions 70660, 70661, 70682 and 70659 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) and on 23 July 2025 to Question 68516 to the hon. Member for Solihull West and Shirley (Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst).

With reference to page 122 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on empowering each of the services to develop their own electromagnetic warfare capabilities.

The capacity to operate within the electromagnetic spectrum is a critical component of contemporary warfare, as evidenced by ongoing events in Ukraine. By the end of the year, the newly established 2 star Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force will assume responsibility for developing and coordinating Electromagnetic Operations strategy and force development, including setting standards and architectures. Meanwhile, each Single Service will continue to advance their own tactical capabilities to ensure preparedness against emerging threats and effective operation within their respective domain.

With reference to page 120 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, how enterprise-wide operational defence priorities for activities in the cyber domain will be deconflicted with the National Cyber Force’s priorities.

We do not routinely comment on operational matters or the operational prioritisation of the National Cyber Force (NCF) due to reasons of national security.

With reference to page 120 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a new CyberEM Command.

The design and implementation planning process is well underway. The 4 star Cyber ans Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) was officially launched on 1 September 2025. The 2 star Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force, previously referred to as the CyberEM Command, which operates within CSOC, is set to be established by the end of the year.

With reference to page 120 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what change is required within the CyberEM domain to achieve a tech-enabled Integrated Force.

The aim to achieve a tech-enabled Integrated Force was a central tenet of the SDR and will require change across all domains. The Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) will drive the change, with the National Armaments Director Group (NADG) responsible for delivering a strong and secure digital backbone. Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) will continue to be the 4 star Command responsible for the protection of Defence networks, platforms and infrastructure, in partnership with the Single Services, industry and partners across government. The newly established 2 star Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force, as part of CSOC, will ensure the authorities are in place to respond rapidly to both threats and opportunities in the CyberEM domain.

With reference to page 90 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on exploring the development of a new force modelled on the reserves which connects local communities with defence.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 September 2025 to Question 70739 to the hon. Member for Gravesham (James Cartlidge).

With reference to page 110 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on ensuring the Army’s contribution has kept pace with innovation in electromagnetic warfare.

For reasons of safeguarding operational security, I am unable to provide details relating to electromagnetic warfare.