Written questions by Downie.

If his Department will conduct an investigation of the potential national security threats posed by Chinese-made connected vehicles.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the security of defence assets and people very seriously, and has been working with other Government Departments to investigate any potential threats to national security and to ensure that policies and procedures take account of the potential threats from all types of vehicle, not just those made in China. Best practice guidance has been issued to staff clarifying appropriate behaviour for all drivers and passengers in vehicles to protect them from potential threats. The MOD is keeping this policy area under review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21725 on Ukraine: Humanitarian Aid, when he plans to make a decision on future funding for MOAS frontline medical evacuation services in Ukraine.

We have engaged with Defence staff in Kyiv and the Ukrainian Embassy in London and it does not appear that this is a prioritised and supported request from the Ukrainian Government. While we recognise the important work the charity undertakes in-country we are unable to meet MOAS' request.I regret the disappointment this will cause for the charity and the staff in Ukraine and recognise the impact this will have on MOAS' ability to continue to provide this capability. However, we must be led by the needs of the Ukrainian Government and ensure that UK taxpayers' money is appropriately allocated where Ukraine deems the need is greatest.

Whether he has offered support to Finland in protecting sub-sea cables in the Baltic Sea.

Following recent damage to the Estlink2 undersea cable in the Baltic sea, the UK – acting as framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) – has activated a JEF Response Option (JRO), known as NORDIC WARDEN, which will harness AI to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet, sending out real-time warnings of suspicious activity to JEF nations as well as NATO. This demonstrates both the UK and JEF nations’ commitment to assuring critical undersea infrastructure and responding to potential threats.

He last had discussions with NATO allies on protecting sub-sea cables in the (a) Baltic and (b) North Sea.

Recent incidents of damage to sub-sea cables underlines the importance of partners continuing to work together on shared challenges in the region. The Government regularly discusses strengthening NATO’s protection of critical undersea infrastructure in engagements with fellow Allies. The Defence Secretary directly engaged with affected Allies following reported damage to a major undersea cable in the Baltic Sea on 25 December 2024. The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) also activated a JEF Response Option (JRO), known as NORDIC WARDEN, which will harness AI to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet, sending out real-time warnings of suspicious activity to JEF nations as well as NATO. This JEF activity reinforces existing and planned NATO responses.

When he last had discussions with his Finnish counterpart on Russian shadow fleet aggression in the Baltic Sea.

The Secretary of State for Defence contacted his Finnish counterpart immediately following the incident damaging the Estlink 2 undersea cable between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. They also discussed the incident when they met at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base on 9 January. Acting as framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), we have activated a JEF Response Option, known as NORDIC WARDEN, which will harness AI to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet, sending out real-time warnings of suspicious activity to JEF nations as well as NATO. This JEF activity reinforces existing and planned NATO responses.

What steps NATO is taking to defend the High North.

As a leading European Ally in NATO, the UK will defend and support our High North and Arctic Allies should the need arise, and contest malign and destabilising behaviours and activity in the region which threatens our interests, the interests of our Allies, and the stability of the region. We work with regional Allies and partners – including through NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force, the Northern Group and the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable – to align policy, activity and capability where possible and across all domains. NATO is accelerating the Alliance’s ongoing military transformation to strengthen its collective deterrence and defence posture, with operational plans which cover every inch of Allied territory. This includes Allied territory in the High North. Allies will maintain a coherent Defence posture, presence and profile in the region.

What steps he is taking to help protect sub-sea cables in the North Sea from the Russian shadow fleet.

The UK Government constantly monitors and regularly assesses the security of critical national infrastructure, including energy and telecommunications assets. Following the incident damaging the Estlink 2 undersea cable between Finland and Estonia on 25 December, the UK – as framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) – activated NORDIC WARDEN which will harness AI to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and to monitor the movements of the Russian shadow fleet, sending out real-time warnings of suspicious activity to JEF nations and to NATO, in support of NATO activity to help protect critical undersea infrastructure. Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK and our interests. We have led the way in pursuing Russia's shadow fleet of vessels, sanctioning more oil tankers than any other nation and spearheading a 49-nation 'Call to Action' against the fleet.

How often Royal Navy vessels have been tasked to shadow Russian navy ships near the UK in each of the last five years.

The Royal Navy continuously monitor UK waters and are ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. Specific detail cannot be confirmed for reasons of safeguading national security.

What forces are committed to defending the High North.

The UK is committed to maintaining a coherent Defence posture, presence, and profile in the High North region. The Royal Marines have conducted annual exercises with Norway for over 50 years to hone their extreme cold weather warfighting skills, supported by assets from Joint Aviation Command. In the last 18 months, P8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers, have all operated in the region. During Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER, the Royal Navy was at the heart of this maritime exercise with HMS Prince of Wales, demonstrating the importance of interoperability. The UK also conducted Icelandic Air Policing with F-35 jets. In 2025, the UK will continue to develop our already close relationships with our Allies and partners in the High North, as part of NATO, Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and bilaterally. Furthermore, we will continue our profile in the region with Air, Maritime and Land assets operating under NATO and Sovereign command.

When he last had discussions with his NATO counterparts on protecting the High North.

Engagement with NATO Allies is central to our approach to defend and deter in the Arctic and High North. Secretary of State for Defence and Defence Ministers regularly engage with their NATO counterparts, including High North countries to discuss how to strengthen deterrence and defence in the region, through NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and bilaterally.

How much funding he has allocated to the submarine dismantling programme for each of the next five years.

The Department does not release spending profiles for individual programmes. However, I can confirm the latest Whole Life Cost for the Submarine Dismantling Project, as published in the Department’s 2023 Government Major Projects Portfolio data, is £298 m...

How many quick reaction alert launches there have been from RAF (a) Conningsby and (b) Lossiemouth in each month in 2024.

Quick Reaction Alert from either RAF Coningsby or RAF Lossiemouth were launched on the following number of days in each month of 2024 up to the end of November: January0February2March1April0May0June0July0August0September2October1November1

How many quick reaction alert launches there were from RAF (a) Conningsby and (b) RAF Lossiemouth in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Quick Reaction Alert from either RAF Coningsby or RAF Lossiemouth were launched on six days in 2022 and on nine days in 2023.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of (a) crew accommodation and (b) crewing levels in the Fleet Solid Support Ships contract following the principal contractor’s completion of the Preliminary Design R

Navantia UK, the prime contractor for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme, is responsible for delivering the Design and Manufacture contract. The successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review marks the first major milestone in the progra...

What oversight his Department has had in the preliminary design review of the Fleet Solid Support Ships programme.

Navantia UK, the prime contractor for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme, is responsible for delivering the Design and Manufacture contract. The successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review marks the first major milestone in the progra...

What the annual cost is of maintaining decommissioned nuclear submarines at (a) Rosyth and (b) Devonport.

The annual cost for maintaining decommissioned submarines varies each year depending on the respective maintenance requirements. In financial year 2023-24, £1.711 million was spent at Rosyth and £7.056 million at Devonport.

When his Department will publish a Contract Notice for Submarine Disposal following the Market Interest Day held on 6 July 2023.

The Submarine Disposal Capability project was established in 2022 to identify an enduring disposal solution. The project is in its Concept Phase and market engagements were undertaken in July 2023 and June 2024 to inform the optimum way ahead.The next pha...

Whether he plans to hold discussions with his AUKUS counterparts on including the Submarine Dismantling Project in that partnership.

As part of the AUKUS partnership, Australia will be responsible for the disposal of its own conventionally-armed, nuclear powered submarines. While there are no plans to include the Submarine Dismantling Project as part of AUKUS, the UK Government continu...

What discussions he has held with international (a) allies and (b) partners on the Submarine Dismantling Project.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to engage with industry partners to ensure we can deliver an optimised submarine dismantling programme. The Swiftsure demonstrator project serves as a proof of concept and benchmark against which market testing of f...

What locations are being considered for the (a) build and (b) assembly of the fleet solid support ships.

Successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) Ships project remains a priority. On current plans, the three FSS ships will be assembled from blocks which are expected to be built in Harland & Wolff (H&W) shipyards in Belfast and Appledore i...