Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

How does StormShroud function autonomously as part of the RAF’s Autonomous Collaborative Platforms.

StormShroud supports RAF F-35B Lightning and Typhoon pilots by jamming enemy radars, which increases the survivability and operational effectiveness of our crewed aircraft. As StormShroud is the first Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) introduced into RAF service it does not currently function autonomously with other ACP as it is the first platform and no other ACPs exist yet to collaborate with yet. StormShroud may be directly controlled from a ground station or operate autonomously at range, where it confuses or jams adversary radar. However, I am withholding the exact nature of the autonomous behaviour as it would harm the security or effectiveness of the Armed Forces.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the result of the trial drone against drone engagement using the APKWS precision-guided rocket conducted by BAE Systems Falconworks unit.

The trial referenced by the hon. Member was conducted by BAE Systems for a multi-rotor Uncrewed Air System (UAS) and the information on the trial can be found on the open internet.The UK Armed Forces remain steadfast in their commitment to advancing their already strong capabilities. They continuously explore the potential adoption of new equipment, including drones, to ensure they remain at the forefront of operational effectiveness.This Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence. We are delivering our commitment to spend 2.6% of GDP on defence, accelerating it to 2027, and we have set the ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament.A key part of the SDR's vision for UK defence is innovation driven by lessons from Ukraine - harnessing drones, data, and digital warfare to make our Armed Forces stronger and safer. The SDR recommends that the Royal Air Force should shift towards the greater use of uncrewed systems as an immediate priority.As part of this transformation, uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Royal Air Force through a broad mix of capabilities to enhance operational effectiveness. This Government is investing an additional £2 billion this Parliament into autonomous systems, including drones, and will establish a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre at initial operating capability by February 2026.The exact types of uncrewed systems to be procured and the associated investment will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

What is the full scope of Project EVE.

Project EVE is an innovative Communications & Information Systems (CIS) network which digitally connects front-line Commando Forces and supporting elements within 3 Cdo Brigade to globally dispersed Command and Control (C2) elements. EVE will be fielded by the Army’s Very High Readiness forces under Project CAIN for 16X.

When he plans to replace the remaining in-service Tranche 1 Typhoons.

The remaining in-service Tranche 1 Typhoons have a planned out of Service date of 2027. Upon Tranche 1 retirement, Typhoon will continue to serve as the backbone of the UK's Combat Air Force until at least the 2040s. To ensure it remains at the cutting edge of capability, the UK is planning significant investment in the Typhoon through-life equipment programme. This includes the delivery and integration of the advanced European Common Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk2) radar, which will enhance the aircraft's operational effectiveness.

What recent progress has been made on the delivery of the future air superiority effectors programme.

The Future Air Superiority Effectors programme is currently in pre-concept phase, and work is actively underway to establish a concept phase.

How many Afghans housed in Service Families Accommodation under Operation Lazurite were brought to the UK under the Afghan Response Route.

We are committed to honouring the promise made to those Afghans who supported the UK mission in Afghanistan, often at great personal risk.As of 4 September 2025, there are 97 Afghan Response Route (ARR) eligible families residing in Settled Service Family Accommodation (SSFA). MOD does not hold data on the specific number of individuals in each SSFA. There are 293 ARR eligible persons residing in temporary accommodation on the Defence Estate which includes transitional SFA and barrack block style accommodation.The Afghan Resettlement Programme provides our Afghan friends and allies with the opportunity to begin new lives in the UK. Each arrival is entitled to nine months transitional accommodation – allowing them time to orient themselves to the UK, establish roots and integrate into communities to begin the path to self-sufficiency.

With reference to the Answer of 24 July 2025 to Question HL9397 on Typhoon Aircraft: Factories, what proportion of the funding for Combat Air will be spent on the (a) Typhoon, (b) F-35 and (c) Global Combat Air Programme.

Future spending on Combat Air programmes will be determined through the Defence Investment Plan. No decisions have yet been made on either the amount to be spent on Combat Air or the proportion that will be spent on Typhoon, F-35 and the Global Combat Air Programme.

With reference to the Answer of 24 July 2025 to Question HL9397 on Typhoon Aircraft: Factories, on what evidential basis his Department calculated that Combat Air would support 40,000 long-term, high-quality UK manufacturing jobs.

The figure related to an estimate of the number of jobs sustained across the Combat Air sector and its supply chains by the additional investment announced in the Strategic Defence Review over the next ten years. The estimate was based on internal analysis and some open-source data from the wider Combat Air industrial base.

What the full scope is of Project Mercury.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation. Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

What the full scope is of Project Brynja.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation. Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

What the full scope is of Project Wessex.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation. Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

What the full scope is of Project Sword.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation. Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

What the full scope is of Project Gibraltar.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation. Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

What is the full scope is of Project Wagon.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation. Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

What the full scope is of Project Sabre.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation. Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

What the full scope is of Project Hunter.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation. Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

What the full scope is of Project Cypher.

These projects are not formal projects within a broader programme. It is activity conducted by the Field Army that codifies ‘bottom-up’ efforts to improve how a modernised armoured battlegroup fights, through experimentation and innovation. Any outputs will inform adjustments to the design of the future Army and how it trains, what equipment it uses and how, optimised structures, and better threat analysis.

What weapons systems are compatible with the Ares Remote Weapon Station.

The ARES Remote Weapon Station (RWS) is used with the General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), Heavy Machine Gun (HMG), and Grenade Machine Gun (GMG).

What ammunition natures are compatible with the Ajax Case Telescoped 40mm Cannon.

The CTA International 40mm Cannon is compatible with the following ammunition: Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot-Tracer (APFSDS-T)Kinetic Energy Airburst (KE-AB)General Purpose Round – Airburst – Tracer (GPR-AB-T)General Purpose Round – Point Detonating – Tracer (GPR-PD-T)General Purpose Round – Kinetic Energy – Tracer (GPR-KE-T)Target Practice – Tracer (TP-T)Target Practice Reduced Range – Tracer (TPRR-T) Of the seven ammunitions, only the APFSDS-T, GPR-PD-T, and TP-T have been procured for use on Ajax.

How many Ares armoured vehicles were accepted in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025 to date.

I can confirm that in 2024, 22 ARES vehicles were accepted and delivered to the British Army. As at 31 July 2025, six ARES vehicles have been accepted and delivered to the Army in 2025.