Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on ensuring that defence requirements are reflected in cross-Government efforts to deliver resilient space-based Positioning, Navigation and Timing systems.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a longstanding relationship and regular conversation with for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Staff engagement is regular and pre-dates the Strategic Defence Review.The MOD engages with colleagues in DSIT and other Government Departments on Positioning, Navigation and Timing spans requirements, capabilities, technical details and policy considerations. This is to ensure coherency between our department's work and wider Government investment plans.A military officer has been embedded in the DSIT National PNT Office since 2021 to aid this on a day-to-day basis and reflecting the importance of cross-departmental working.

If he will list the military capability projects within the Government Major Projects Portfolio rated as red.

The latest National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority's Annual Report for the Financial Year ending 31 March 2025 was published on 11 August 2025: NISTA Annual Report 2024-25 - GOV.UK.This fully digital report lists the full composition of the Government Major Programmes Portfolio by Department, Category and the Delivery Confidence Assessment at that time in the Section 3.3 headline figure suite of tables.

What the full scope is of Project AETHER.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 September, to Question 76405. Project AETHER is at the trial phase. Initial planning is underway for a further trial, following the completion of the project first two trials.

With reference to page 122 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a Spectrum Coordination Office.

A Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Organisation has been designed as part of the 2 star Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force Headquarters. Scope, scale, basing options and timetable are dependent on the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan.

What the outcome was of the high-altitude uncrewed balloon tests conducted in South Dakota, USA under Project Aether.

The trials in South Dakota were successful and achieved or surpassed all intended test objectives. The objectives included:Providing 24-hour Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage in high-latitude winter conditions at high-altitude;Locating, identifying, and tracking signals, and disseminating data over both Line of Sight and Satellite communications;Maintaining continuous endurance at high altitude;andEnabling airborne handover of ISR coverage between different platforms.

With reference to page 114 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the opportunities for cost-sharing with NATO Allies in procuring more E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 70763 on 8 September 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

With reference to page 47 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made on implementing the core digital platform for the warfighter.

The fundamental capabilities of the core common platform set out within the Strategic Defence Review already exist and are being used today; however, they are not at the scale or delivering the integrated and innovative capabilities at the speed required to support the Integrated Force model. Progress is continuously being made. In September 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Palantir (link) which will help the UK military develop the latest digital tools and harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to accelerate decision making, improve targeting and keep the nation safe from evolving threats. A contract with Google was also signed (link) to ensure that MOD has access to the latest technology developed by Google Cloud, including AI, data analytics, and cyber security, and will be used by defence intelligence and national security specialists to share secure information between our partners and outcompete our adversaries.

With reference to page 47 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made on developing the secret cloud.

A contract has been put in place with Google for the provision of Secret Cloud services to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for at least the next five years. Security delivered for working people as UK-US ties strengthened with new Google Cloud partnership for classified information sharing - GOV.UK The capability is being developed jointly by MOD and Google, with workload development and testing carried out over the next six months. The aim is to have the capability available for general use across MOD in 2026.

What progress he has made in migrating all SECRET Tier users to the new MODNET platform.

There are currently no plans to migrate SECRET Tier users to a new MODNET platform.

If he will list the disused (a) Royal Navy bases, (b) Army bases, (c) Royal Air Force bases, and (d) surplus land awaiting disposal.

A list of all Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites that are currently available for purchase can be found on the MOD’s disposals website via gov.uk. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report

What progress he has made on migrating all users to the new managed print service.

The Migration Phase of the new Managed Print Service is complete. The project has achieved Full Operating Capability.

What the in-service date is for the Royal Navy’s Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon.

The Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) requirements will be fulfilled by a “light” and “heavy” capability. FASGW (Light), also known as Martlet, achieved Initial Operating Capability in October 2021 and has been in operational service with the Royal Navy since then. The programme is progressing towards Full Operating Capability and achievement of this milestone is forecast for December 2025. FASGW (Heavy), also known as Sea Venom, reached Initial Operating Capability in May 2025 in time to be deployed on Operation HIGHMAST. Full Operating Capability is on-track to be delivered by 2029.

What discussions he has had with members of the Coalition of the Willing on the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.

Operational discussions continue with fellow Multi-National Force Ukraine nations, but we will not be drawn into detail on the specifics of UK Armed Forces deployments at the risk of operational security. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine.

How many fully deployable manoeuvre brigades does the British Army have.

The Army has five fully deployable manoeuvre brigades.

What the outcome was of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Gate 4 programme review of the Mechanised Infantry Programme.

The most recent National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) review outcome of the Mechanised Infantry Programme is reflected in the NISTA 2024-2025 annual report which is published online. The supporting data grades the Mechanised Infantry programme as AMBER. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nista-annual-report-2024-2025

With reference to recommendation 47 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on augmenting the existing fleet of A400M with (a) more A400M, (b) civilian charter and (c) sponsored service options.

A range of options to meet future air mobility requirements are being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan which will be published in due course.

With reference to recommendation 23 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which Ukrainian industries he has identified for potential post-conflict industrial collaboration with Ukraine.

Long term collaboration with Ukraine’s defence industrial base, which has evolved rapidly and become a recognised world leader in innovation and technology adoption, is a priority for the Ministry of Defence. Since Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, the UK has cooperated closely with Ukraine to deliver capabilities required by its armed forces, while bringing together the best of UK and Ukrainian industry. Trade missions, of which the government has led six into Ukraine, are helping build defence industrial relationships for the near term and for enduring, post-conflict industrial collaboration. Our future cooperation on battlefield technology, announced by the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy on 23 June, will deepen that collaboration through sharing of data and expertise between the UK and Ukraine, paving the way for our two countries to work long term on jointly-agreed priorities for the benefit of both our nations’ armed forces and defence industries.

With reference to recommendation 46 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of how a mix of F-35A and B models provide value for money.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to Question 64538 on 10 July 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge). The procurement of 12 F-35A rather than 12 F-35B is expected to deliver a saving of up to 25% per aircraft. Final prices will be identified during contract negotiation.

With reference to page 133 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in implementing the Defence Estate Optimisation programme.

The Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio was mobilised in 2016 and has completed, or is on construction on 22 projects having disposed of 30 surplus Ministry of Defence sites.

On what date did the UK sign the deal with Lockheed-Martin to procure 12 F-35A Lightning II jets.

Negotiations with the Joint Program Office are ongoing. Further information regarding the procurement of the 12 F-35A Lightning aircraft will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.