Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to page 41 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress he has made on (a) identifying, (b) protecting and (c) cultivating other sovereign capabilities that are foundational to the UK’s (i) industrial base and (ii) long-term competitiveness.

The Defence Industrial Strategy (published on 8 September 2025) outlines a dynamic, defence and innovation-focused industrial base, emphasising the growing importance of ensuring UK sovereignty, operational advantage, and freedom of action. It sets out the Government’s commitment to strengthen the defence sectors that are essential for national security and supply chain resilience, as well as those with the greatest economic growth potential. The detail of these sectors is set out in section 1.3.3 of the Defence Industrial Strategy. The Defence Investment Plan will set out in more detail how we will support the UK’s long-term economic growth and competitiveness through our investment choices.

With reference to page 42 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, in what ways the defence industrial base will be redefined to include (a) academia, (b) dual-use civilian-military companies, (c) financial services, (d) technologists and (e) trade unions.

The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) (published on 8 September 2025) sets out our approach to redefining the defence industrial base. In order to adopt a whole of society approach to keeping the UK safe and boosting economic growth, our definition must reflect the deep range of partners and expertise both within our traditional defence sector and those in adjacent sectors. The DIS (section 1.3.2) therefore redefines the UK defence industrial base to include academic institutions (including dual-use civilian-military companies), UK-based companies, banks and other financial services companies, goods and services firms, technologists and technology firms, and trade unions and their members.

With reference to page 46 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress he has made on increasing the ability of the UK to pool defence capital with allies.

We are working with partners on a series of potential opportunities to pool defence capital with allies, including through multilateral initiatives, aggregating defence demand, increasing European interoperability and standardisation, enhancing cooperation through the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument and exploring other international mechanisms.

By when the (a) Defence Support and (b) Defence Digital will move to the National Armaments Director group.

Defence Support was integrated into the National Armament Director (NAD) Group as of 1 April 2025. Defence Digital moved into the (NAD) Group on 1 July 2025.

With reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, by when he plans to enable the annual publication of percentage availability of in-service programmes.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set out the need for external scrutiny of UK warfighting readiness through annual reporting of key data, as one of a number of possible measures in a wider Defence Readiness Bill. Given its potentially broad scope, a Defence Readiness Bill may be a legislative vehicle for wider Government, not just Defence. We are therefore working closely across Government through the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence programme to shape key requirements, and understand and identify the measures needed. This preliminary work will allow us introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows.

With reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, by when he plans to enable the annual publication of a summary of assessments on programme availability.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set out the need for external scrutiny of UK warfighting readiness through annual reporting of key data, as one of a number of possible measures in a wider Defence Readiness Bill. Given its potentially broad scope, a Defence Readiness Bill may be a legislative vehicle for wider Government, not just Defence. We are therefore working closely across Government through the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence programme to shape key requirements, and understand and identify the measures needed. This preliminary work will allow us introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows.

With reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, when he plans to introduce the Defence Readiness Bill.

We are developing proposals for inclusion in defence readiness legislation, including on potential military and civilian personnel requirements. That work will include consideration of the potential impacts of defence mobilisation in crisis or conflict on other areas. Any decisions on any future mobilisation will be taken in the context of the specific nature of the crisis and the circumstances applying at that time.

With reference to page 100 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what the full scope is of the National Endeavour approach to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

The National Endeavour covers all programmes and policies which contribute to the delivery of the nuclear deterrent. This includes investing in the infrastructure, capabilities, science, people, and places which are critical to the nuclear deterrent. Some aspects of this work are delivered directly by the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, as outlined in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise 2025 Annual Update to Parliament (available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-enterprise-2025-annual-update-to-parliament/). Other aspects are being driven forward by other Government Departments.

On what date the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement with the United States was last renewed.

The most recent renewal of the 1958 Mutual Defense Agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States entered into force on 14 November 2024. The agreement is now enduring in its entirety following the removal of the 10-yearly renewal provisions.

With reference to Box 12 page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what (a) uncrewed surface vessels and (b) uncrewed underwater vehicles are currently in operational service with the Royal Navy.

As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025, Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing underwater threat posed by a modernising Russian submarine force. The UK’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities are central to European defence and vital to meeting the Alliance’s evolving needs.To support this, the Royal Navy will deploy a Type 26 ASW frigate force, designed to operate both uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). The Navy is accelerating the integration of these systems, building on its existing wide range of uncrewed capabilities.For operational security reasons, details of USVs and UUVs currently in active service are not publicly disclosed.

What is the out-of-service date of all Royal Navy Batch 1 OPVs.

The Royal Navy constantly reviews out-of-service dates to achieve maximum availability of its platforms for operational tasking. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out-of-service dates of individual platforms. The class out-of-service date for OPV Batch 1 is 2028. The Royal Navy continues to assess its future capability requirements in accordance with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of replacing the Royal Navy’s Batch 1 OPVs on retirement.

The Royal Navy constantly reviews out-of-service dates to achieve maximum availability of its platforms for operational tasking. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out-of-service dates of individual platforms. The class out-of-service date for OPV Batch 1 is 2028. The Royal Navy continues to assess its future capability requirements in accordance with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan.

What is the projected cost of Project Astrea in this Parliament.

Funding for the Astraea programme is included within the £15 billion investment in the sovereign nuclear warhead programme this Parliament, announced in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review. That investment also includes sustaining our current Mk4A warhead and modernising the associated infrastructure. However, I am withholding the projected cost of the Astraea programme in this Parliament for the purpose of safeguarding our national security.

With reference to page 112 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in improving the RAF’s (a) productivity, (b) agility and (c) adaptability.

The RAF has established, and is operating an approach which drives increased output, improved affordability and enhanced workforce effectiveness to deliver the recommendations set out in the Strategic Defence Review. Through delivery of prioritised and measured outcomes the RAF is committed to contribute to an increase in productivity, agility and adaptability. The Chief of the Air Staff's Optimise Directive is part of the RAF's productivity approach, which coheres initiatives aimed at delivering benefits across the Royal Air Force and ensuring the best use of resources.

With reference to page 114 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what the full scope is of Typhoon upgrades for (a) radar, (b) defensive aids, (c) avionics and (d) weapons.

An assessment of the planned Typhoon upgrades is currently underway. Further information regarding upgrades to the Typhoon's systems and equipment will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress has he made on increasing the UK's warfighting readiness.

The National Security Strategy sets out a hardening and sharpening of our approach to national security. Alongside this, the Government has accepted all of the recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review. We will deliver the largest sustained investment in our Armed Forces since the Cold War, with an emphasis on greater lethality, warfighting readiness, deeper stockpiles of munitions and innovation in, and adoption of, new technologies. The Defence Investment Plan, which will be published in the autumn, will ensure we have the capabilities we need to deliver a new design for a more lethal and agile Integrated Force, alongside investment in infrastructure and people - supporting in turn our warfighting readiness.

With reference to page 53 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what technology has been identified for the regional cluster at RAF Wyton.

RAF Wyton is a key site for Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) and UK Defence. Defence continues to invest in the site and is considering future options for RAF Wyton as a defence technology hub that could act as a catalyst for greater investment in the local area for associated industry and academia. This will be centred around the existing unique collaborative facility and reflects similar national and international technology hubs.

With reference to page 114 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in planning for the use of UK commercial airfields in times of crisis.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has robust plans for mobilising and deploying the Armed Forces in response to any number of events and crises, whether they take place at home and abroad. These plans are regularly reviewed, tested and exercised. As part of the planning process the MOD will identify civilian infrastructure which is deemed critical to enable and support military activity. This includes civilian airfields. The MOD routinely engages with commercial transport operators and industry associations and works closely with other Government Departments including the Department for Transport.

With reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on prepositioning (a) ammunition and (b) heavier equipment in appropriately dispersed storage facilities in Europe.

The British Army has equipment prepositioned in Germany and we continually review and adjust this position according to operational commitments. As the Army continues to progress through its modernisation programme, further work will be undertaken to explore potential future opportunities for prepositioning across Europe.

What progress has he made on exploring the use of the stratosphere with vehicles capable of carrying higher payloads for missions lasting over 6 months.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 September, to Question 76405. Options for exploring the use of the stratosphere with vehicles capable of carrying high payloads for extended period are being pursued through Project AETHER, which is in its trial phase. Following the completion of two initial trials, in September 2024 and March 2025, further opportunities in this area are subject to further trials and the continuation of planned funding for Project AETHER.