Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What his Department's projected completion date is for Project Morpheus.

Following the closure of the Evolve to Open Transition Partner Contract in 2023, the Army has sought to achieve the objectives of MORPHEUS through iterative and incremental delivery. The Army has already demonstrated some of these capability goals through Project ASGARD. The Army continues to deliver tactical communications updates and upgrades across Defence and therefore the objectives of Project MORPHEUS remain ongoing under the revised Land Domain C4 sub-portfolio.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 74146 on Defence: Huntingdon, (a) what and (b) where those two projects are.

I hope the hon. Member will understand that I cannot place all the details in the public domain at this time, but the two projects potentially eligible for fast-track planning in Huntingdon are still under consideration. No final decision has been made with respect to the location of the projects, their design or timescales for operational readiness.

What the total cost was of the Armoured Cavalry 2025 Programme.

The Approved Budget Level (ABL) for the Armoured Cavalry (Ajax) Programme is £6.3 billion. This has not changed since 2014. The estimated cost of the programme against this approval is £6.2 billion. The programme cost is estimated in real terms with inflation factored in.

What assessment he has made of the capability of the United States Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray aerial refuelling drone.

This Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which set out the pathway for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence. 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 discussions his Department has had with the former UK Ambassador to the US on the purchase of defence equipment from the US.

The UK Ambassador to the United States, met routinely with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on technology partnership, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 73562 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what his Department's definition is of specialist troops.

The Department does not formally define the term ‘specialist troops’. In the context of Ajax, as per the pursuant Parliamentary Question, the term ‘specialist troops’ is used informally, and in this context refers to Anti -Tank Javelin Teams, Snipers and Support Troops.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the test flights of the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat (Block 1) for the Royal Australian Air Force.

This Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which set out the pathway for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence. 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 assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the test flight of the General Atomics YFQ-42 drone.

This Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which set out the pathway for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence. 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.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 73562 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how his Department defines specialist troops in this context.

The ARES variant is the common base for all the Ajax variants and will be used to deliver and support specialist troops across the battlefield. The term ‘specialist troops’ is used informally, and in this context refers to Anti -Tank Javelin Teams, Snipers and Support Troops.

When the RAF’s dual-capable aircraft programme will be delivered.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to Question 63225 on 7 July 2025 to the hon. Member for Poole (Neil Duncan-Jordan). https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-06-26/63225

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the IFV variant of the General Dynamics Ajax.

There are no current plans to procure an IFV variant of Ajax.

What progress he has made in developing lighter-than-air platforms designed for extended loiter times.

Cyber and Specialist Operations Command has sponsored two extended-duration lighter-than-air trials under Project AETHER. Payload testing on the first extended-duration trial was successful and validated the plans to achieve extended loiter times. The second trial used an alternative approach with multiple, smaller stratospheric balloons operating collaboratively in sequence and demonstrating near-continuous Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance coverage for an extended duration.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73614 on Challenger Tanks: Supply Chains, when trials for Challenger 3 are due to be completed ahead of acceptance of the final build standard.

The Challenger 3 trials are currently planned to conclude by the end of 2026. This timeline is subject to ongoing review by the project team to ensure it remains aligned with delivery milestones, operational requirements, and any emerging technical risk.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 71981 on Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the outcome of Project Hunter ahead of the commencement of Project Grayburn.

Project HUNTER was established to select a new weapon system to be employed in the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB) specialist role. Project GRAYBURN was commissioned to replace the L85 (SA80) rifle. Though two different weapons, lessons learned from Project HUNTER are being used on Project GRAYBURN to influence training, ergonomics, maintenance, sight systems, safety, suppressors, ammunition, cleaning, equipment, personnel, information, doctrine, organisation, infrastructure, and logistics.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 72215 on Navigation: Satellites, what Alternative Position, Navigation and Timing technologies are being further investigated by the DE&S Space Delivery Team.

To ensure that Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) capabilities are resilient when satellite systems are unavailable or have been compromised, the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) DE&S Space Delivery Team is focused on developing four initial key technology innovations, these include: developing Enhanced Long-Range Navigation (eLoran) capabilities, exploring and utilising Satellite Signals of Opportunity (SATSOO), investigating Chip Scale Atomic Clocks (CSAC) and exploring the applications of Data Fusion. Additional specific technologies will also be identified for investment at a later point in the programme but options for these remain unscoped at this time. Due to the risk of compromising operational security, it would be inappropriate for us to provide any further details on the specific investigations that the Department is undertaking.

What comparative assessment he has made of the suitability of the (a) Ares vehicle platform for offensive infantry operations and (b) the Ajax Infantry Fighting Vehicle variant.

The Army continues to undergo a combined programme of work to ensure our Land Forces will have the lethality, protection and mobility to fight and win against any adversary. The ARES variant of Ajax is designed for mounted close combat and is being delivered to the Field Army. The decision to field ARES with Infantry Battalions was taken after a considerable assessment programme. There is currently no Ajax Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) variant and whilst there is a concept demonstrator, this is not a prototype IFV. The Army continually assesses the requirements to deliver the Armoured Infantry Capability.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 71983 on Army: Rifles, what upgrades were made to the L129 rifle as part of the upgrade to A2 configuration.

Upgrades made include a new monolithic upper receiver with an M-LOK handguard that is more comfortable and allows the attachment of ancillaries. The butt stock has been replaced to allow users to adjust for their size and equipment. The new L129A2 rifles also include an improved safety catch, a new flash eliminator that enables the future fitment of signature reduction devices.

What the full scope is of Project Keyes.

Project KEYES is a pre-concept plan to replace the L115 and L121 Sniper rifles in the early 2030s and will consider requirements as it progresses.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 72212 on F-35 Aircraft: Nuclear Weapons, what progress he has made on integration of (a) Meteor and (b) SPEAR 3 via the F-35 Joint Program Office.

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer my predecessor gave to him on 9 June 2025 to Question 52037, and I gave to him on 8 September to Question 73567.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 72208 on Unmanned Air Systems: Military Aid, on what dates were the 13 Military Aid to Civil Authority requests from 2022 to 2 September 2025 fulfilled by 2 C-UAS Wing; in what locations; and for which organisations.

I can provide some of the detail requested, however as the requests related to nationally significant events and other discreet tasks, I am withholding some information where its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. Date Location Organisation supported 24 July - 10 August 2022 Birmingham Birmingham Police 9 - 14 September 2022 Edinburgh Police Scotland 13 - 20 September 2022 London Thames Valley Police 3 - 8 May 2023 RAF Northolt Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police 8 - 14 May 2023 Liverpool Liverpool Police 15 - 17 June 2023 London Metropolitan Police 20 - 23 June 2023 London Metropolitan Police 3 - 6 June 2024 Portsmouth Hampshire Police 15 - 29 July 2024 Blenheim Palace Thames Valley Police