Written questions by Campbell.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December to Question 16717 on Armed Forces: Cadets, what external organisations other than (a) existing cadets and (b) adult volunteers he is consulting to help expand numbers.

A discussion held in December 2024 canvassed opinion from a wide range of existing cadet advocates, including senior military leaders, Honorary Colonels, Lord Lieutenants, council leaders and representatives from education and academia, as to what activity and governance would be required to enable the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to expand cadets. Representation included all branches of MOD cadets (Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force) as expansion was considered for all. I, myself met with Honorary Colonels before Christmas, and just last week with a leading academic in this field, who led the team who published the University of Northampton study on the social and economic benefit of cadets. We have discussed how to work together to best advocate for our cadets, and I am committed to their expansion.

Which Army Reserve Centres are envisaged to require armed guarding in Northern Ireland after 2028.

Following a review of the guarding of Army Reserve Centres (ARCs) in Northern Ireland, we have concluded that an armed guard for 13 of the 15 ARCs is no longer appropriate to the current threat and does not align with the normalisation of the Army’s presence in Northern Ireland. As such, the Army is working to implement a change, via consultation, to the guarding levels of the identified 13 ARCs from armed guarding to enhanced physical security measures. The safety of personnel remains the top priority, and no sites will transition from armed guarding to physical security measures unless deemed safe to do so and with the necessary infrastructure in place. The initial phase of this work will see the first sites set to transition to the physical security guarding level by September 2025, once infrastructure enhancements are complete, with an intent to complete all sites by 2028. The two sites set to continue with armed guarding are Caw Camp and Dunmore. A briefing to interested parliamentarians will be scheduled shortly to provide further details and to answer any questions about these changes.

When he plans to launch the Global Combat Air Programme development phase of the next generation fighter aircraft.

Work is ongoing with our GCAP Partners Japan and Italy to establish the core platform concept and set up the structures needed, ready to launch the Development Phase in 2025.

What the total cost is of the Spearfish heavy weight torpedo programme.

The total funds allocated for the Spearfish torpedo programme are approximately £1154 million which incorporates the cost of the through life management of the programme.

What information his Department holds on the reasons for recent drone activity near (a) RAF Lakenheath, (b) RAF Mildenhall and (c) RAF Feltwell.

We take these matters seriously and the Ministry of Defence is working in partnership with our allies and the appropriate civilian authorities as they investigate this matter. The use of uncrewed aerial systems around protected areas in the UK causes a ri...

If he will make an estimate of the projected number of army cadets for each year of the remainder of this Parliament.

There are currently c. 75,000 cadets and c. 11,000 cadet force adult volunteers involved in the Army Cadets. Work is currently underway to understand opportunities for expansion across Ministry of Defence Cadets. Although it is too early to make an accura...

Whether he expects all F-35 aircraft to be delivered by the end of 2025.

The Prime Contractor of the F35, Lockheed Martin, has confirmed its intention to deliver the 48 UK aircraft ordered so far (Tranche 1) by the end of 2025.

How many HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards have been issued in Northern Ireland since January 2024.

As of 24 October, 4,687 Veteran Cards have been issued to recipients in Northern Ireland since January 2024.

Whether he plans to create a welfare services governance board for veterans' issues in Northern Ireland.

The Government is committed to ensuring that veterans are able to access the appropriate support they require wherever they live in the UK and will be seeking to more effectively coordinate and cohere the support that is available. This will build on the ...

What estimate he has made of the number of Chinook CH-47 aircraft that will be delivered during this Parliament.

14 new build Chinook H-47(ER) aircraft are estimated to be delivered between July 2024 and July 2029.