Written questions by Cartlidge.

What recent progress his Department has made on extending the range of radio frequency directed energy weapons.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has committed to developing and continuing to invest in UK Sovereign Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) technology, to provide cutting edge capability to the Armed Forces at pace.  Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon sare a new game-changing weapon that is under development for the UK's Armed Forces that uses radio waves to disable enemy electronics and take down multiple drones at once.The advanced technology is being developed by a joint team from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), working with UK industry. The MOD has committed to developing Radio Frequency DEW into operational capability to meet real world threats. Thus far, the system has been tested against a range of targets, proving to be highly effective. The system will be able to effect targets up to 1km away, with further development taking place to extending the range.

How much his Department plans to spend on consultancy fees in (a) the 2024-25 financial year and (b) each remaining financial year of the Parliament.

We have taken immediate action to stop all non-essential Government consultancy spending this financial year. Spend on consultancy in 2024-25 will be published in the Department’s annual report and accounts in due course. We have not yet set External Assistance budgets for future years, but we are committed to continuing to drive down unnecessary consultancy spend throughout this Parliament as part of wider productivity and reform activity.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2024 to Question 3741 on Defence: Expenditure, how many additional documents have been included for consideration in Ministerial boxes as a result of changed thresholds for ministerial budgetary sign off since July 2024.

Over the last four months, Ministers have reviewed all proposed Departmental spending that exceeds the approval thresholds. These decisions are consolidated into a holistic submission for Ministers, with an average of one a week.

How many (a) requests for quotation and (b) requests for proposal were issued by his Department for new capabilities for the armed forces since July 2024 that were not (i) initiated by the previous Government and (ii) related to procurements in progress before the general election.

The Department is not able to distinguish how many requests for quotation and requests for proposal that has been issued for the Armed Forces. The Department cannot define whether it was initiated by the previous Government. The Department can provide the Invitation to Tender (ITT) information. The Invitation to Tender sets out the requirements that tenderers must meet to submit a valid tender. It also contains the draft contract, further related documents and forms and sets out the Authority’s position with respect to the competition. There have been 419 Invitations to Tender (ITT) recorded by the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) system since the 04 July 2024 that have been both created and published since 04 July 2024. There have been 25 Invitations to Tender (ITT) recorded by the Ministry of Defence DSP system created before 04 July 2024 that have been published since 04 July 2024.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) radio frequency directed energy weapons, (b) DragonFire lasers and (c) other directed energy weapons for the protection of (i) UK and (ii) United States Visiting Forces military bases on the UK mainland.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has committed to accelerating the continued investment in UK Sovereign Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) technology to provide cutting edge capability to the Armed Forces swiftly. DEW technology mitigates against the increasing threat from direct attack or weapon drop drones by defeating them or discouraging attempts by significantly reducing their probability of success. The UK has trialled these systems, has access to data on other non-UK systems, and throughout their development we will ensure they're designed to counter the threats faced by our Armed Forces. This will allow our Armed Forces to operate more effectively against a changing and asymmetric threat landscape, demonstrating the MOD's approach to transitioning technology into capability meeting real world threats.Due to operational security, the MOD does not comment on the specific protection of military bases.

If he will make an estimate of the total number of heavy equipment transporters in service within the Army tabulated by those (a) currently available and (b) in maintenance.

The Army’s Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) capability is delivered through a service contract with KBR. The contract, which commenced in July 2024, provides the Army with 80 HET trains (consisting of tractor and trailer) and all maintenance activity and Sponsored Reserve personnel to operate them alongside the Regular Army. Under the contract, sufficient HET are maintained at specific readiness levels to enable the Army to conduct its operational and training activity. We do not routinely disclose information pertaining to the operational readiness of Defence’s capabilities, therefore a detailed breakdown has not been provided.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 November to Question 16232 on Global Combat Air Programme, whether his Department plans to separately ring-fence global combat air programme expenditure for (a) the core platform and (b) associated uncrewed platforms including directly related technology and software development.

The UK is committed to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), as the Prime Minister has stated. There are no plans to ringfence GCAP or associated systems, which will be managed in line with the Department's other non-ringfenced programmes.

Whether he has authorised any orders for Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles since the general election.

No, Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles remains one of the top priorities for the Army as it's critical to providing the Apache with the means to fight on the modern battlefield. In-Year Funding has been protected to ensure this procurement can proceed.

With reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 2 December 2024, Official Report, Column 27, if he will make an estimate of the cost to his Department of implementing the proposed UK-Mauritius treaty on the Chagos Islands excluding the Government-to-Government payment.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

With reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 2 December 2024, Official Report, Column 27, what the estimated cost to the US will be of the Chagos settlement excluding the Government-to-Government payment.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

When Ministers from his Department have met representatives of the Chagossian community since 4 July 2024; and which Minister met how many Chagossians on each such occasion.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is the lead Department for the international and community engagements in regards to the sovereignty negotiations. The Minister for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories has met with members of the Chagossian community twice since 4 July 2024. We always endeavour to invite all Chagossian groups and representatives with an interest to these meetings. Officials also routinely speak to Chagossians. Discussions covered a range of issues, including implementation of the agreement. There are a large number of Chagossian groups with a spectrum of views. We will continue efforts to engage the community.

When Ministers from his Department have met representatives of the Maldives Government to discuss the future of the Chagos Islands since 4 July 2024; and which Minister met which representative of the Maldives on each such occasion.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is the lead Department for the international and community engagements in regards to the sovereignty negotiations. The Foreign Secretary met Maldives Foreign Minister Khaleel at the Commonwealth Heads of Government on 25 October. They discussed a range of issues, including matters relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory. Minister West also spoke with Foreign Minister Khaleel virtually on 14 October and met with the Maldivian High Commissioner on 30 September.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 17024 on Defence Equipment and Support, whether he has instructed his Department to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.

The Department has not been told to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.

With reference to his oral Answer to the hon. Member for South Suffolk of 11 November 2024, Official Report, Column 505, whether he plans to provide information on the cost of (a) direct payments made to the government of Mauritius and (b) other aspects of the treaty with Mauritius when that treaty is debated in Parliament.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Whether he has instituted a freeze in his Department on new procurement to satisfy Urgent Capability Requirements.

The Department has not been told to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.

What the cost has been of (a) capital and (b) non-capital expenditure on (i) HMS Albion, (ii) HMS Bulwark, (iii) HMS Northumberland, (iv) RFA Wave Knight and (v) RFA Wave Ruler in each of the last five financial years.

A breakdown of the costs requested is set out in the attached table.

What the potential operational implications are of retiring HMS (a) Albion and (b) Bulwark in March 2025.

The retirement of HMS Albion and Bulwark will not impact the operational programme of the Royal Marines, who continue to deploy globally. Both are currently held at lower readiness having not been to sea since 2023 and 2017 respectively. This Government inherited a position where neither was due to go to sea again before their planned out of service dates of 2033 and 2034. The Royal Marines are supported by the three Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) and RFA ARGUS, which also provides aviation support and can act as a casualty receiving ship. These ships will continue to support amphibious capability until they are succeeded by planned Multi Role Support Ships.

When he plans to publish his Department’s pathway for reaching 2.5% of GDP being spent on Defence; and whether he has made any changes to that timetable since 1 November.

As the Prime Minister has confirmed the path to spending 2.5% of GDP on Defence will be set out in spring 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the retirement of HMS (a) Albion and (b) Bulwark on the capability of the armed forces.

The retirement of HMS Albion and Bulwark will not impact the operational programme of the Royal Marines, who continue to deploy globally. Both are currently held at lower readiness having not been to sea since 2023 and 2017 respectively. This Government inherited a position where neither was due to go to sea again before their planned out of service dates of 2033 and 2034. The Royal Marines are supported by the three Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) and RFA ARGUS, which also provides aviation support and can act as a casualty receiving ship. These ships will continue to support amphibious capability until they are succeeded by planned Multi Role Support Ships.

When he received the External Scrutiny Team Report 2024 into the Reserves as referred to in Section 113a of the Reserve Forces Act 1996; and whether he plans to publish his response.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence received the External Scrutiny Team’s 2024 report on 29 July 2024. We are most grateful to the team for their work. The Ministry of Defence will place their 2024 report in the Library of the House in the next few weeks and will provide a substantive response to the report at the same time.