Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to page 128 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on driving improvements to (a) intelligence capability and (b) shared services within Military Intelligence Services.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), work to establish a single defence intelligence enterprise under the banner of 'Military Intelligence Services' (MIS) is continuing. Key stakeholders across Defence have been consulted, and draft proposals have been developed. This work has been executed through the existing structures of the Intelligence Function, which has already delivered enhanced coherence across several activities. The SDR sets out the requirement for further integration under the MIS, and the enterprise continues to develop as planned. Work on the Defence Intelligence Charter is ongoing, and Defence is aiming to publish the Charter by the end of 2025 however its publication will be coordinated with a wide range of Defence Reform activity and SDR delivery and thus is subject to change with dependencies across both. The Ministry of Defence's existing intelligence capabilities, incorporating Defence Intelligence (DI), PJHQ Joint Intelligence (J2), UK Special Forces J2, and Royal Navy, Army, RAF and Space Command intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance organisations) will operate under MIS with functional leadership provided by DI.

With reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review, what progress he has made in developing long-range precision missiles capable of being fired from a carrier deck.

Project VANTAGE has recently been established as the maritime element of the UK’s One Way Effectors (OWE) programme, which are long-range uncrewed systems. VANTAGE is an iterative programme, with the first phase focussed on demonstrating OWE launch from a Royal Navy vessel. If successful, VANTAGE will look to exploit the demonstration in a core programme from a range of Royal Navy Vessels, including the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers. Subsequent phases of VANTAGE will focus on spiral development of the capability, keeping pace with evolving threats and counter OWE systems, as well as the potential of a modular construct, with interchangeable launchers, effectors, munitions and sensor packages which would require minimal change to shipping to accommodate OWE.

With reference to page 127 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on increasing funding for into Defence Intelligence to build its (a) capability and (b) capacity.

Defence is taking forward a large range of projects and programmes aimed at improving defence intelligence capability. While we do not comment in detail on aspects of Defence capability that could be useful to adversaries, I can say that Defence is increasing the digitisation of the intelligence cycle and the information, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) process. It is also increasing digital integration of the intelligence cycle to allow the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to better meet both today’s threats and optimise our capabilities for modern war fighting. The MOD continues to focus on integration across Government and with international partners to make us better aligned to address state threats and nontraditional actors which facilitates a renewed focus on warfare capability development. We continue to invest in intelligence hubs which bring together a range of centralised intelligence capabilities, allowing for the faster, more agile passage of intelligence. Defence is also implementing the new Military Intelligence Services, which will maximise existing intelligence capabilities across the MOD.

With reference to page 127 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on improving defence intelligence capabilities to (a) better meet today’s threats and (b) optimise for warfighting.

Defence is taking forward a large range of projects and programmes aimed at improving defence intelligence capability. While we do not comment in detail on aspects of Defence capability that could be useful to adversaries, I can say that Defence is increasing the digitisation of the intelligence cycle and the information, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) process. It is also increasing digital integration of the intelligence cycle to allow the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to better meet both today’s threats and optimise our capabilities for modern war fighting. The MOD continues to focus on integration across Government and with international partners to make us better aligned to address state threats and nontraditional actors which facilitates a renewed focus on warfare capability development. We continue to invest in intelligence hubs which bring together a range of centralised intelligence capabilities, allowing for the faster, more agile passage of intelligence. Defence is also implementing the new Military Intelligence Services, which will maximise existing intelligence capabilities across the MOD.

With reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, whether the UK contribution to the Strategic Reserve Corps is capable of deploying anywhere in Europe.

The Strategic Reserve Corps (SRC) are Supreme Allied Command Europe’s (SACEUR) most credible warfighting land forces, useable in competition, crisis or conflict. They can be deployed anywhere in Europe in support of NATO plans and to enact SACEUR’s prudent planning options.

What assessment he has made of the future (a) structure, (b) role and (c) responsibilities of the Veterans’ Advisory and Pensions Committees.

We are reviewing the functions and activities of the Veterans Advisory Pension Commission in relation to wider departmental priorities for the Armed Forces Community. This includes the new VALOUR initiative and the Covenant Legal Duty Extension. The review aims to enhance and simplify the support provided to all members of the community.

With reference to page 113 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what (a) airborne early warning and (b) control capability does the RAF contribute to NATO plans in the Euro-Atlantic.

The UK will contribute the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft once operational. The Wedgetail is an airborne early warning and control aircraft that will deliver cutting-edge capabilities and strengthen the Alliance.

With reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on seeking partners with which to develop the overhead, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability needed for effective Integrated Air and Missile Defence in the Euro-Atlantic.

The Ministry of Defence regularly engages with our Euro-Atlantic partners to discuss air and missile threats. The development of an Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability set will be pursued both on a sovereign basis and through partner nation collaboration. The associated investment will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on all aspects of the Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

With reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Fund, updated on 8 July 2025, what modifications would be required to aircraft carriers in order to facilitate long-range precision missiles capable of being fired from the carrier deck.

Project VANTAGE has recently been established as the maritime element of the UK’s One Way Effectors (OWE) programme, which are long-range uncrewed systems. VANTAGE is an iterative programme, with the first phase focussed on demonstrating OWE launch from a Royal Navy vessel. If successful, VANTAGE will look to exploit the demonstration in a core programme from a range of Royal Navy Vessels, including the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers. Subsequent phases of VANTAGE will focus on spiral development of the capability, keeping pace with evolving threats and counter OWE systems, as well as the potential of a modular construct, with interchangeable launchers, effectors, munitions and sensor packages which would require minimal change to shipping to accommodate OWE.

With reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the defence dividend on Huntingdon constituency.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring the increased investment in defence translates into more British jobs, increased skills and a stronger and more resilient defence industrial base, supported by major procurement reforms. We hope that all constituencies will benefit from increased defence investment including Huntington Investment decisions will be set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy which will be published later this year.

With reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what the Defence Medical Services pressures are that have been caused by fragility of the global supply chain.

As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, workforce shortages and the fragility of global supply chains are pressures for both Defence Medical Services and the National Health Service (NHS). The Ministry of Defence (MOD) regularly reviews its critical supply chains to identify and mitigate risks to defence capability. Work is ongoing between the MOD and the NHS to understand system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery to meet Defence medical needs. Increasing resilience of UK medicines supply chains remains a priority for the Government.

With reference to page 36 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, whether he has made recent progress on developing capability under the defence partnership with India.

Defence Partnership India was formally launched in India at Aero India in February 2025. Since its inauguration there have been advancements in a range of capability areas across the air, maritime and land domains, as can be seen through the recent announcements from the Prime Minister’s visit to India earlier this month. For example, the Indian Army will procure THALES Lightweight Multirole Missiles through a Government-to-Government arrangement between our countries and both Prime Ministers were pleased to confirm the intent to finalise the Inter-Governmental agreement on cooperation in developing maritime electric propulsion systems to Indian Naval Platforms.

With reference to page 34 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what the themes will be of each of the next three six-monthly foreign and security policy dialogues.

The Government pledged in its manifesto to pursue a new relationship with the EU to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO. The recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR) further reiterates this commitment and recognises that international partnerships are crucial for the UK’s security and prosperity. The Government delivered on this commitment at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May where we agreed a new and ambitious Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). Implementation of the SDP is a joint effort with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and is progressing. Since May, my Rt Hon Friend, Defence Secretary John Healey has held discussions with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, where they discussed their ambition to explore the potential for enhanced UK-EU cooperation under SAFE. In October, the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary will both meet with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, for the first UK/EU foreign and security policy dialogue under the SDP. In addition, Ministers and officials from across Government have held consultations with their EU counterparts on a range of issues, including but not limited to, tackling irregular migration and hybrid threats. We continue to work with EU counterparts to strengthen dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation across the range of issues covered in the SDP, including maritime and space security. As the Defence Secretary has previously said to this House, this Government will ensure that any UK commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value for the UK taxpayer and supports our defence goals. We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this government’s NATO First defence policy.

With reference to page 31 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, whether he made progress on enhancing the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force with France at the France-UK summit in July 2025.

The July 2025 UK-France summit saw a complete overhaul of the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) into the Combined Joint Force (CJF) with significant changes to structure, focus, coordination mechanisms and leadership. This is outlined in the Lancaster House 2.0: Declaration on Modernising UK-French Defence and Security Cooperation press release of 10 July 2025.

With reference to recommendation 22 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on strengthening Europe’s collective industrial base.

The UK recently launched its Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) which reaffirms our belief that close cooperation with our European allies is essential. We remain clear that, in order to effectively deter and defence against increased aggression, we need to strengthen our shared defence industrial base to ensure Europe is able to secure the critical capabilities needed at the necessary speed, scale and value for money. As part of these efforts, we have set out our ambition to explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the EU’s SAFE instrument. We have also re-set our bilateral relationships with France, helping to strengthen the European complex weapons industrial base through Lancaster House 2.0, and with Germany, strengthening the land combat industrial sector, through the Trinity House agreement. While the new UK-Norway defence partnership, including the Type 26 procurement, will sustain 4.000 jobs in the UK.

With reference to page 43 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, which projects are in scope of the £4 billion funding for autonomous systems.

A wide breadth of autonomous systems are under consideration for autonomous funding as described in the National Security Strategy and will be subject to prioritisation to ensure optimum operational benefit. The projects to be included within the £4 billion funding for autonomous systems will form part of the Defence Investment Plan in Autumn 2025.

With reference to page 110 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what funding he has provided for (a) attack drones, (b) surveillance drones and (c) counter-drone-systems.

Drones and counter drone systems are integral to the modern way of warfighting, exemplified in the lessons gleaned from the war in Ukraine. The Strategic Defence Review announced an increase in autonomy investment of £2 billion in this Parliament, taking total Defence investment in autonomy to circa £4 billion. The funding provided for attack drones, surveillance drones and counter-drone systems will be announced as part of the Defence Investment Plan in Autumn 2025.

With reference to page 90 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, when plans for home defence were last fully updated.

The Ministry of Defence routinely plans against a range of potential threats to ensure the UK remains prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any threat, including an armed attack on the UK. While we keep these plans under regular review, we are taking the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review forward, working closely with the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme.

With reference to recommendation 37 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in developing an autonomous air dominance system capable of integrating with (a) directed energy weapons and (b) connectivity with integrated air and missile defence system assets.

Integrated Air and Missile Defence investments will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

With reference to page 78 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, who the UK’s regional partners are in the South China Sea.

The UK's regional partners listed in the Strategic Defence Review include Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The UK also has a long-standing partnership with Brunei, where we have recently renewed our agreement to maintain the Garison, which is home to a battalion from the Royal Gurkha Regiment. Alongside New Zealand and Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, the UK is a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, which promotes cooperation and interoperability in the region. The UK also regularly collaborate with our remaining Five Eyes partners Canada and the United States.