Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in establishing hybrid carrier airwings.

Hybrid Air Wings, underpinned by the Royal Navy’s approach to Maritime Aviation Transformation, represents the evolution of the Fleet Air Arm to a crewed-uncrewed mix of drones, fast jets, helicopters and one-way effectors that will deliver enhanced lethality and combat mass for North Atlantic Sea Control, Homeland Defence and Carrier and Littoral Strike. During the ongoing deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group (Operation HIGHMAST), Malloy T150 and Puma uncrewed air systems are operating alongside crewed helicopters and F-35B strike fighters, providing logistics and surveillance capabilities which release capacity of crewed aircraft to undertake more complex operational tasks. The investment decisions to support Strategic Defence Review recommendations are being developed by the Ministry of Defence and will be published in the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a refreshed veterans’ communications strategy.

A new cross-Government Veterans’ Strategy is due to be published later this year.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of changing the UK’s F-35B Lightning II force to use the AN/APG-85 radar.

All UK F-35 aircraft are fitted with the APG-81 radar. There is currently no plan to change to an alternative radar.

With reference to recommendation 35 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, when he will confirm the intended number of SSN attack submarines.

The final decision will be based on analysis of defence requirements through the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to recommendation 29 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a protected Defence AI Investment Fund.

Good progress has been made in establishing the AI components which will form the basis of the Defence AI Investment Fund. Working in close collaboration with other Government Departments and the Cabinet Office to ensure a joined-up approach, the scope of the Defence AI Investment Fund will be confirmed and announced as part of the Defence Investment Plan in Autumn 2025.

Which units fall under the umbrella of Special Operations Forces.

The Strategic Defence Review was clear that the current threat environment means Defence needs greater choice and resilience across the spectrum of military effects. Units such as the Army Rangers and the Commando Force will provide the special operations-capable forces required to improve the UK’s warfighting capabilities as well as helping fulfil our contribution to NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026.

With reference to page 27 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress he has made on meeting NATO's seven baseline requirements for resilience.

The UK sees national and collective resilience as an essential basis for credible deterrence and defence and is committed to NATO Article 3, which requires Allies to maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack. The Government's work to deliver against NATO's seven baseline requirements for resilience is being delivered through the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, in which Defence has a leading role. As set out in the National Security Strategy and the Resilience Action Plan, this coordinates civil and military preparations across the whole of government to ensure that all sectors are prepared for and able to respond to the most catastrophic risks.

With reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what the criteria are that determine Level (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 of NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026.

The criteria that determine Level (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 of NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026 are outlined in NATO's Minimum Capability Requirements, which are captured in the NATO Defence Planning Process. The Minimum Capability Requirements are held at NATO Confidential.

With reference to page 74 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on negotiating a new defence agreement with Norway.

Good progress has been made on negotiating a new defence agreement with Norway, which we plan to sign before the end of the year. This agreement will mark the start of a new strategic partnership with Norway which will build on the deal the UK secured in August to supply the Royal Norwegian Navy with at least five Type-26 frigates. It will bring the UK and Norway ever closer and strengthen both countries' national security. As members of NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force, the agreement will complement our mutual commitment to the defence of the Euro-Atlantic.

When he expects the (a) concept and (b) assessment phase of the Future Combat Air System programme to commence.

The Concept and Assessment phase began in 2021 and it is on course to be completed in 2027.

With reference to recommendation 21 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on co-ordinating with other Government (a) departments and (b) agencies to prioritise the use of the defence instrument in support of (i) UK defence and (ii) wider foreign policy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State (Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry) (Mr Pollard) on 6 September 2025 to Question 70727 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).To progress the development of the strategy, the Ministry of Defence is actively engaging with all relevant Government departments. The Department is working to complete the strategy by the end of the year.This work is being led by Minister of State (Minister for the House of Lords) who is responsible for international relations and defence diplomacy.

What progress he has made on the Phase 4 Enhancement to the Typhoon aircraft.

The four-Nation Phase 4 Enhancement (P4E) upgrade programme is in the System Definition de-risking phase of activity, following the signature of the System Definition Contract in 2024. Over the coming months, the four nations will agree on the final P4E capability package, which will then move into the Design, Development and Demonstration phase. Additionally, Nations have agreed to begin early design work on long lead activities, ensuring that critical path activities for P4E capability are protected.

What assessment has he made of whether the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme will meet all extant key user requirements.

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme is moving towards its Full Business Case approval in 2026 where the Key User Requirements will be formally set. The programme continues to assess how best it can meet and exceed user requirements which stretch well beyond current requirements and capabilities to meet future threat needs.

How many RAF Chinook (a) HC5, (b) HC6 and (c) HC6A variants are in service.

There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service. I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.

What recent progress he has made on implementing the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme.

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme continues to progress with our European partners and has recently entered the development phase.

If he will set out the remaining lifespan of each RAF Chinook airframe in service.

There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service. I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.

With reference to page 136 of his Department's document entitled Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in ensuring that infrastructure requirements are fully integrated into (a) capability development and (b) investment decisions.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will cohere current capabilities and future Strategic Defence Review deliverables, this includes the infrastructure which supports or enables the capability. Those capabilities and deliverables will be prioritised against force plans and published within the DIP.

With reference to page 136 of his Department's document entitled Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress his Department has made in appointing a board member with responsibility for infrastructure to all Front Line Command boards.

Each Front-Line Command contains a director level post who represents infrastructure both on their board, and within the central Ministry of Defence senior infrastructure board. As part of defence reform, the infrastructure operating model and senior boards composition, will be examined to ensure they meet the Strategic Defence Review commitments.

With reference to page 134 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in identifying where operational infrastructure does not meet requirements under force development plans.

Defence maintains risk registers and capability assessments across all defence lines of development, this includes infrastructure. The defence investment plan will cohere current capabilities and future Strategic Defence Review deliverables, Those capabilities and deliverables will be prioritised against force plans the prioritisation of the above includes examination of both risk and capability assessments.

With reference to his Department's press notice entitled UK and Türkiye agree big step towards multi-billion-pound export of Typhoon fighter jets, published on 23 July 2025, what the timeline is for the Typhoon upgrade programme over the next 15 years.

Information regarding upgrades to the Typhoon's systems and equipment will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.