Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to recommendation 52 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 8 July 2025, what progress has he made on ensuring Permanent Joint Headquarters is more resilient to (a) physical and (b) cyber attack.

PJHQ's critical role in UK operations is recognised, and its resilience is constantly undergoing review in light of evolving threats. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that for operational security reasons I cannot comment on specific measures or assessments.

With reference to page 35 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress the Chief of Joint Operations has made on establishing a single view of operational requirements for the defence of the UK.

A considered and detailed analysis has been conducted in relation to the matter raised. I hope that the Hon. Gentleman will understand that for operational security reasons I cannot comment on specific measures or assessments.

With reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which (a) units and (b) formations comprise the UK contribution to NATO’s Strategic Reserve Corps.

The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps provides the UK’s Strategic Reserve Corps Command HQ with associated Corps level enablers and subordinate formations. This includes, HQ 3 (UK) Division, HQ 1 (UK) Division, 1st Aviation Brigade, 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, 7 Light Mechanised Brigade and an armoured Brigade. The Army’s modernisation programme is in the process of delivering and enabling a growth trajectory that is being communicated with NATO.

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 the NATO Alliance-wide resilience objectives.

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 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on developing Space Domain Awareness.

A key mission for UK Space Command is to develop capability to enable Space Domain Awareness (SDA) to safeguard our capability and understand potential adversary intent. UK Space Command has worked with the UK Space Agency and Met Office to establish an integrated military and civilian National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC). The NSpOC coordinates SDA capabilities, across multiple sites. UK Space Command is also the regional coordinator of the Meridian Cell as part of the Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) Initiative, which brings together partner nations, industry, commercial and civil to support global SDA collection. UK Space Command also includes command of the No 1 Space Operations Squadron, which monitor’s the space domain to protect on-orbit assets of the UK and its allies, as well as No 2 Space Warning Squadron, at RAF Fylingdales, which provides world-leading Missile Warning and Space Surveillance and Tracking to allies and partners. Most recently, a £65 million deal with CGI UK will deliver the Borealis command, control and data processing system will help the UK military and the UK Space Agency to better monitor and protect satellites, through new software which compiles and processes data from multiple sources, more quickly, to monitor space. The Government have also partnered with the United States and Australia in delivering the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability programme, a set of three global radar sites which will enable detection, identification, and tracking of objects in deep space.

With reference to page 125 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of relocating PJHQ to avoid unnecessary risks to the assured command of future UK military operations.

PJHQ's critical role in UK operations is recognised, and its resilience is constantly undergoing review in light of evolving threats. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that for operational security reasons I cannot comment on specific measures or assessments.

With reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in integrating the Royal Marines Commando Force into the UK-led Strategic Reserve Corps.

The Royal Marines Commando Force continues to make significant progress in integrating into the UK-led Strategic Reserve Corps, in line with the Strategic Defence Review 2025. This integration enhances the UK’s ability to provide rapid, agile, and scalable response options across the Euro-Atlantic region. Recent activity includes participation in Exercise VENTUROUS WARRIOR, which demonstrated the Commando Force’s ability to operate as part of the UK Contribution Force within NATO’s Regional Plan North-West. The exercise showcased improved interoperability, joint operational planning, and readiness to deploy rapidly in support of NATO’s strategic objectives. This progress reflects our commitment to ensuring the Royal Marines remain at the forefront of amphibious advance force operations, supporting both national and allied defence priorities.

With reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what (a) units and (b) formations comprise the UK contribution to the Advanced Reaction force.

Advanced Forces are forces already in place around the world that provide positional advantage. These include the UK’s contribution to Forward Land Forces in Estonia and Poland, Land Special Operations Forces deployed as part of our global network, the Brunei Task Force, and Cyprus Resident Battalions. Reaction Forces are designed for speed, to react quickly to crisis. These include Defence’s Global Response Force, 16 Air Assault Brigade, and the NATO Allied Reaction Force (Land).

With reference to recommendation 53 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a cross-government national security workforce strategy.

Developing a future-ready, purpose-driven, agile, and resilient workforce will be essential to meet the complex national security environment of tomorrow. Aligned with the Strategic Defence Review vision, Defence will work in conjunction with partners across Government to develop a strategy which ensures we have an ideal workforce with an innovative culture to tackle current and future challenges.

With reference to page 53 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, how many meetings of the Defence Growth Board he has chaired in 2025.

The Defence Growth Board met on 30 July 2025. It was attended by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Business, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Permanent Secretary, the MOD interim National Armaments Director and other senior officials from Departments, and will continue to meet on a regular basis.

With reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, if he will publish the complex integration challenge faced by the Royal Navy’s Type 31 programme.

The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programme is experiencing inflationary pressures which are understood and remain in line with the latest plans and forecasts. The reported challenges to the T31 programme reflect this impact.

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.

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.

With reference to recommendation 22 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, with which NATO allies he is seeking to strengthen bilateral relations.

The UK is committed to deepening our relationship with a broad range of Allies. Pages 73-75 as well as 82 - 84 of the Strategic Defence Review provide a clear list of allies with which the UK should develop closer ties. These are: the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Poland Estonia, Norway, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithunua, The Netherlands, Romania, and Greece. This is not exhaustive; the Ministry of Defence maintains close links with all Allies in NATO.

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 recommendation 35 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress has he made on delivering a National Endeavour public communications campaign.

The ‘National Endeavour’ communications campaign is an enduring strategic communications campaign which aims to highlight and improve understanding of the work of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), its importance to our national security, and its contribution to our economy. This year, national and regional media coverage has included the commissioning event for HMS Agamemnon and steel cut for Dreadnought Boat 4, the launch of Team Plymouth as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, attendance by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence at HMNB Clyde to welcome submariners home from a deterrent patrol, and the first media visit to AWE Aldermaston in over a decade. We also published the DNE 2025 Annual Update to Parliament, and ‘The UK’s Nuclear Deterrent: the National Endeavour Explained’. These are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-enterprise-2025-annual-update-to-parliament/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nuclear-deterrence-factsheet/

What level of (a) cooperation, (b) coordination and (c) deconfliction takes place between UK Space Command and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

There are several cross-Government forums where capability roadmaps are discussed and developed between UK Space Command and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Most notably, this includes the new ‘One Government’ approach to Space, which looks to support the alignment of UK priorities for the Space domain. UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency (part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) have daily cooperation, coordination, and deconfliction as part of the National Space Operations Centre, a joint military and civilian organisation which coordinates civilian and military Space Domain Awareness capabilities, across multiple sites. As part of the UK Space Agency’s Unlocking Space for Government programme, which aims to harness space to improve UK public service and strengthen national security, UK Space Command and UK Space Agency recently announced funding of £500,000 towards the development of a project for new detection technology to spot lasers that adversaries may use to dazzle satellites and intercept communications.