Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 September 2024 to Question 2108 on Future Combat Air System, whether the £1.3 billion represents the full expected allocation for the (a) Global Combat Air Programme and (b) Future Combat Air System as at the start of this financial year.

The £1.3 billion figure provided on 19 September 2024 to Question 2106 accounts for the Government funding for Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme in the current financial year. All of the £1.3 billion of spend this financial year was planned in the last financial year. The £1.3 billion of spend this financial year is on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, the majority of which is for Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) activity. At the start of this financial year, it was expected that the Ministry of Defence would spend up to ~£1.46 billion on FCAS/GCAP. The forecast was reduced to £1.3 billion due to revised estimates of programme activity from industry throughout the year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 September 2024 to Question 2108 on Future Combat Air System, how much of the £1.3 billion was planned in a previous financial year to be spent this financial year.

The £1.3 billion figure provided on 19 September 2024 to Question 2106 accounts for the Government funding for Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme in the current financial year. All of the £1.3 billion of spend this financial year was planned in the last financial year. The £1.3 billion of spend this financial year is on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, the majority of which is for Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) activity. At the start of this financial year, it was expected that the Ministry of Defence would spend up to ~£1.46 billion on FCAS/GCAP. The forecast was reduced to £1.3 billion due to revised estimates of programme activity from industry throughout the year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 September 2024 to Question 2108 on Future Combat Air System, how much of the £1.3 billion is (a) Government and (b) private sector funded.

The £1.3 billion figure provided on 19 September 2024 to Question 2106 accounts for the Government funding for Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme in the current financial year. All of the £1.3 billion of spend this financial year was planned in the last financial year. The £1.3 billion of spend this financial year is on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, the majority of which is for Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) activity. At the start of this financial year, it was expected that the Ministry of Defence would spend up to ~£1.46 billion on FCAS/GCAP. The forecast was reduced to £1.3 billion due to revised estimates of programme activity from industry throughout the year.

If he will publish a list of the recruitment policies that he plans to scrap.

We are ambitious in our work to review and, where appropriate, challenge previous regulations for Armed Forces recruiting. As part of this work, a number of medical entry policy revisions have been published in Joint Service Publication 950, Armed Forces Medical Policy. Additional regulations concerning eligibility requirements, plus those supporting Armed Forces recruitment processes will be revised and promulgated once finalised.

What recent discussions he has had with representatives of (a) Airbus Defence and (b) Space UK on the launch of the SKYNET 6A satellite.

There have been no direct Secretary of State discussions with either Airbus Defence or Space X on the launch of the Skynet 6A satellite. However, the Skynet delivery team remain in regular contact with all parties involved to ensure that progress to a timely and successful launch remains on-track.

For what reason the period until the launch of the SKYNET 6A satellite has been extended.

The launch date for SKYNET 6A satellite has been adjusted on advice from Airbus Defence and Space due to a combination of factors including a key component quality control issue.

If he will make an estimate of the potential impact of the time taken to deliver SKYNET 6A's launch on the value of the Service Delivery Wrap PFI awarded to Team Aurora.

The single event integration costs for Skynet 6A are factored into the overall contract price for the Service Delivery Wrap and that is unaffected by any movement in the launch date.

How many people are employed by DSTL’s Cyber Security Programme.

Dstl delivers science and technology for its customers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and across Government, working with industry, academia and government to ensure the UK has the right capabilities for defence and security. An overview of Dstl’s Science and Technology (S&T) Programmes can be found on its website, highlighting the wide range of expertise within the organisation. This breadth of knowledge allows expertise to be diverted, as required, to support dedicated programme technical teams to deliver its S&T Programmes. Information relating to Dstl’s workforce is routinely published in its Annual Report and Accounts. The Programme’s title is Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Defence. Detailed staffing data in respect of Dstl’s CBR Defence programme cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

How many people are employed by DSTL’s Communications and Networks Programme.

Dstl delivers science and technology for its customers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and across Government, working with industry, academia and government to ensure the UK has the right capabilities for defence and security. An overview of Dstl’s Science and Technology (S&T) Programmes can be found on its website, highlighting the wide range of expertise within the organisation. This breadth of knowledge allows expertise to be diverted, as required, to support dedicated programme technical teams to deliver its S&T Programmes. Information relating to Dstl’s workforce is routinely published in its Annual Report and Accounts. The Programme’s title is Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Defence. Detailed staffing data in respect of Dstl’s CBR Defence programme cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

How many people are employed by DSTL’s Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Programme.

Dstl delivers science and technology for its customers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and across Government, working with industry, academia and government to ensure the UK has the right capabilities for defence and security. An overview of Dstl’s Science and Technology (S&T) Programmes can be found on its website, highlighting the wide range of expertise within the organisation. This breadth of knowledge allows expertise to be diverted, as required, to support dedicated programme technical teams to deliver its S&T Programmes. Information relating to Dstl’s workforce is routinely published in its Annual Report and Accounts. The Programme’s title is Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Defence. Detailed staffing data in respect of Dstl’s CBR Defence programme cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

What estimate he has made of how many UK-based supply chain jobs are supported by DSTL’s Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Programme.

Dstl has not made an assessment of the UK-based supply chain jobs supported (either exclusively or in part) by the Chemical Biological and Radiological Defence Programme delivered through Dstl. Over recent years, Dstl has significantly increased the value of science and technology research delivered externally through its diverse supplier base within UK industry and academia.

What estimate he has made of how many UK-based supply chain jobs are supported by DSTL’s Communications and Networks Programme.

Dstl has not made an assessment of the UK-based supply chain jobs supported (either exclusively or in part) by the Communications and Networks Programme delivered through Dstl. Over recent years, Dstl has significantly increased the value of science and technology research delivered externally through its diverse supplier base within UK industry and academia.

Which procurement programmes are affected by the Joint Declaration on Enhanced Defence Cooperation between Germany and the United Kingdom, signed on 24 July 2024.

The Joint Declaration, which Minister Pistorius and the Defence Secretary signed in Berlin on 24 July, sets out the UK and Germany’s joint commitment to improve and further enhance bilateral defence cooperation, including by strengthening our defence industries. The Declaration does not directly impact specific programmes; we are currently exploring opportunities to deepen industrial cooperation, including exploring potential new bilateral programmes.

What steps he is taking to mitigate the potential impact of Royal Fleet Auxiliary strike action.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to engage with the Maritime Trade Unions, who represent members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), to discuss a resolution to the on-going RFA pay dispute.While the pay dispute is the immediate concern, we are committed to improving the RFA "offer" to ensure it remains competitive in the long-term. The RFA are highly valued, specialist personnel. We are committed to listening to their concerns and keeping a continued dialogue to address the issues they have raised.The MOD operates a whole force model, bringing military, civilian and contracted staff together to deliver its defence outcomes; we continue to proactively collaborate with our stakeholders and partners to sustain outputs whilst discussions with the Maritime Trade Unions remain ongoing.

What his policy is on cooperation with the EU on defence procurement; and if he will list PESCO agreements with which the UK (i) is currently cooperating and (ii) has indicated in meetings an interest in reviewing potential engagement or participation.

The UK is an intrinsic part of the European industrial base and is vital to developing the capabilities Europe needs, as well as ensuring resilient, strengthened European supply chains that also benefit UK security and industry. We enjoy extensive capability collaboration with our European neighbours, and expanding this is priority for this Government. The UK is seeking an ambitious new UK-EU security pact to strengthen cooperation on the threats we face and enshrining a new geopolitical partnership. We continue to progress the UK’s application to join the PESCO Military Mobility project whilst also exploring other projects which align with UK interests on a project-by-project basis.

What estimate he has made of how many UK-based supply chain jobs are supported by DSTL’s Air Systems Programme.

Dstl has not made an assessment of the UK-based supply chain jobs supported (either exclusively or in part) by the Air Systems Programme delivered through Dstl. Over recent years, Dstl has significantly increased the value of science and technology research delivered externally through its diverse supplier base within UK industry and academia.

With reference to his oral Statement of 10 September 2024 on Ukraine, if he will provide an itemised breakdown of the £1 billion spent on UK replenishment including (a) when each order was placed and (b) the nature and cost of the item ordered.

As the hon. Menber will understand from his time in the Ministry of Defence, for reasons of operational security, details of replenishment and stockpiles are highly classified, and I am withholding this information. However, I can confirm that several contracts have been let to replenish UK stockpiles in order to replace material granted to Ukraine.

What recent progress the Royal Air Force has made on the ECRS Mk2 E-Scan radar procurement.

The European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 programme has achieved several positive milestones in the past four months, notably passing the production radar system Critical Design Review (CDR) in June 2024 and the completion of prototype ground testing on a Typhoon trials aircraft in July 2024. Teams across the Ministry of Defence and industry are working to meet the major milestone of a first flight of ECRS Mk2 over the coming weeks.

Whether he has a target for increasing the use of UK steel in defence.

The UK steel industry is an important strategic national asset, vital for our security and our economy. Steel used in our major Defence programmes is sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers, as Defence programmes may often have requirements for specialist steel which cannot be sourced in the UK. The future pipeline for steel requirements is published to enable UK steel manufacturers to better plan and bid for Government contracts. As part of the Strategic Defence Review, this Government is committed to developing a defence industrial base that is able to better support our own and allies security while also helping to drive economic growth. We will ensure a strong defence sector and resilient supply chains, including steel, across the whole of the UK.

Which (a) agencies and (b) departments are authorised to manage defence research and development projects.

Defence invests in research and development (R&D) from across the Defence enterprise. Defence’s core R&D budgets are held in Head Office. The rest of Defence’s R&D investment comes mainly from the Capability Portfolios of each Top Level Budget and is delivered through Defence Equipment and Support, Defence Digital, the Atomic Weapons Establishment and the Submarine Delivery Agency, as well as the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and the Defence and Security Accelerator.