Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether the Pumas in use in Brunei (a) only provide a support to jungle training function and (b) are used for (i) search and rescue and (ii) other operational purposes.

The primary role of the Puma aircraft in Brunei is to provide search and rescue cover in support of operational training. Defence has taken measures to ensure continued output of operational training in the interim period before Puma's replacement, H145, enters service from 2026. Key Defence tasks will continue to be fulfilled.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of retiring Watchkeeper Mk 1 on the personnel of 47th Regiment Royal Artillery.

The Army will procure a modern Land Tactical Deep Find (LTDF) capability to replace the 14 years old Watchkeeper Mk 1 capability following its retirement from March 2025. This procurement will leverage lessons from Ukraine and emerging technologies to deliver a capability direct to NATO’s front line. Plans currently identify that 47 Regiment Royal Artillery will continue to deliver the Army’s Deep Find capability by turning their skills and experience from Watchkeeper Mk 1 to lead on fielding the new Deep Find capability. Plans for the Watchkeeper capability following its phased withdrawal from service are in development.

With reference to his statement of 20 November 2024 on Defence Programmes Developments, Official Report columns 287 to 289, whether he had discussions on military capability retirements with his US counterpart before that statement.

The UK and US enjoy a close relationship across a range of Defence matters, and our senior officials and military keep one another informed on important developments and decisions in a timely manner, which occurred ahead of this statement as a matter of course.

What the potential operational implications are of providing a military solution to alternative jungle training helicopter capability in Brunei.

The primary role of the Puma aircraft in Brunei is to provide search and rescue cover in support of operational training. Defence has taken measures to ensure continued output of operational training in the interim period before Puma's replacement, H145, enters service from 2026. Key Defence tasks will continue to be fulfilled.

What the status is of the planned multi-role support ships.

The Muti Role Support Ships programme is in the concept phase and aims to deliver the first of class by 2033.

What the potential operational implications are of retiring Watchkeeper Mk 1 in March 2025.

The Army will procure a modern Land Tactical Deep Find (LTDF) capability to replace the 14 years old Watchkeeper Mk 1 capability following its retirement from March 2025. This procurement will leverage lessons from Ukraine and emerging technologies to deliver a capability direct to NATO’s front line. Plans currently identify that 47 Regiment Royal Artillery will continue to deliver the Army’s Deep Find capability by turning their skills and experience from Watchkeeper Mk 1 to lead on fielding the new Deep Find capability. Plans for the Watchkeeper capability following its phased withdrawal from service are in development.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the retirement of Watchkeeper Mk 1 on the capability of the armed forces.

The Army will procure a modern Land Tactical Deep Find (LTDF) capability to replace the 14 years old Watchkeeper Mk 1 capability following its retirement from March 2025. This procurement will leverage lessons from Ukraine and emerging technologies to deliver a capability direct to NATO’s front line. Plans currently identify that 47 Regiment Royal Artillery will continue to deliver the Army’s Deep Find capability by turning their skills and experience from Watchkeeper Mk 1 to lead on fielding the new Deep Find capability. Plans for the Watchkeeper capability following its phased withdrawal from service are in development.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the removal of Watchkeeper Mk 1 on the 47th Regiment Royal Artillery.

The Army will procure a modern Land Tactical Deep Find (LTDF) capability to replace the 14 years old Watchkeeper Mk 1 capability following its retirement from March 2025. This procurement will leverage lessons from Ukraine and emerging technologies to deliver a capability direct to NATO’s front line. Plans currently identify that 47 Regiment Royal Artillery will continue to deliver the Army’s Deep Find capability by turning their skills and experience from Watchkeeper Mk 1 to lead on fielding the new Deep Find capability. Plans for the Watchkeeper capability following its phased withdrawal from service are in development.

With reference to his oral statement on Defence Programmes Developments of 20 November 2024, Official Report, column 287, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of gifting the (a) 14 Chinook and (b) Puma helicopters to Ukraine.

Further decisions on Puma and Chinook will be made in due course and be communicated in the usual way. We continue to assess the feasibility and utility of Granting-in-Kind different capabilities to Ukraine.

With reference to his oral statement on Defence Programmes Developments of 20 November 2024, Official Report, column 287, whether he had discussions with (a) Lord Robertson and (b) other members of the Strategic Defence Review expert team on the decommissioning of capabilities before 20 November 2024.

As the Secretary of State for Defence explained in his oral statement these decisions were "all backed by the Chiefs and taken in consultation with the SDR Reviewers."

Where and when (a) Watchkeeper Mk 1, (b) Puma, (c) the 14 Chinook helicopters that are being retired, (d) HMS Northumberland, (e) HMS Albion, (f) HMS Bulwark, (g) RFA Wave Knight and (h) RFA Wave Ruler were last used on operations.

Defence has taken the decision to retire some ageing equipment, as we transition to new capabilities and make our Armed Forces fit for the future. HMS BULWARK was last operation in 2017; HMS NORTHUMBERLAND in 2022; HMS ALBION in 2023; RFA WAVE RULER in 2017; and RFA WAVE KNIGHT in 2022. A Watchkeeper Mk1 battery deployed Estonia in August 2024 as part of Exercise ATHENA SHIELD. Puma HC2 is deployed now in Cyprus and Brunei and will continue to provide operational support until retirement on 31 Mar 25. The 14 Chinooks being retired continue to provide operational output as part of the forward fleet – the available fleet available for operations. They will remain in service until their flying hours reach the next deep maintenance requirement period. Defence is considering a range of options to replace these platforms – this includes the commitment to numerous next generation capabilities such as Type 26 and 31 Frigates, and the Extended Range version of the Chinook helicopter.

What the potential implications of retiring 14 Chinook helicopters early are on the ability of (a) Joint Helicopter Command, (b) the Chief of Joint Operations, (c) 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, (d) 16 Air Manoeuvre Task Force, (e) the Global Response Force, (f) the Army and (g) the RAF to deliver defence outputs.

The phased retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will not negatively impact the delivery of current Defence operational outputs, as these retirements will be synchronised with the delivery of replacement state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 (Extended Range) from 2027 onwards, maintaining our fleet number. A phased transition will see the old aircraft retired from service at the point they are due to enter into costly maintenance packages; ensure that we retain the necessary aircraft to cover operational commitments; and that engineers and pilots are available to transition onto the new H-47(ER) aircraft. H-47(ER) is a modern capability that will allow us to operate even closer with partner nations, including the US. This decision will allow greater efficiency within the maintenance cycles and better enable the transition process to the new aircraft.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the retirement of 14 Chinook helicopters on the capability of the armed forces.

The phased retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will not negatively impact the delivery of current Defence operational outputs, as these retirements will be synchronised with the delivery of replacement state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 (Extended Range) from 2027 onwards, maintaining our fleet number. A phased transition will see the old aircraft retired from service at the point they are due to enter into costly maintenance packages; ensure that we retain the necessary aircraft to cover operational commitments; and that engineers and pilots are available to transition onto the new H-47(ER) aircraft. H-47(ER) is a modern capability that will allow us to operate even closer with partner nations, including the US. This decision will allow greater efficiency within the maintenance cycles and better enable the transition process to the new aircraft.

Whether the Pumas in use in Cyprus (a) only provide a firefighting function and (b) are used for (i) search and rescue and (ii) other operational purposes.

The Puma helicopters based in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) on Cyprus are used for a range of activities, including aerial firefighting across the island.

Whether he plans to support armed forces personnel who do not receive Continuity of Educational Allowance with the increase in the cost of private school fees arising from the introduction of VAT on such fees.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) provides Continuity of Education Allowance to Service Personnel to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by Service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. Their circumstances must fit within specific regulations as laid out in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 752, Chapter 14, especially around accompanied Service and family mobility. Where a Service Person does not meet the eligibility criteria as laid out in JSP 752 and has made a personal choice to use a private school for their child’s education, the MOD is not involved.

What estimate he has made of the cost of fixing the structural issues with HMS Northumberland.

The estimated costs for the repair of HMS Northumberland were at least £120 million, with the work anticipated to take over four years.

What estimate he has made of the size of the (a) Regular Army, (b) RAF, (c) Royal Navy, (d) Royal Marines (e) Army Reserve, (f) RAF Reserve, (g) Royal Navy Reserve and (h) Royal Marines Reserve in 2029.

The Government is taking decisive action to tackle the long-term decline in Armed Forces numbers and renew the nation’s contract with those who serve, having inherited a recruitment and retention crisis - with targets missed every year for the past fourteen years. The purpose of the SDR is three-fold. We will establish the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. The Reviewers will consider all aspects of Defence, including the approach to recruiting, educating, training and retaining the people needed for One Defence, including Regular, Reserve, Civil Service and industry. This is to include how Service life can be improved for those who commit to serve their country in uniform.

With reference to his statement of 20 November 2024 on Defence Programmes Developments, Official Report columns 287 to 289, what capabilities he plans to prioritise for the reinvestment of the forecast £150m of savings.

As the Secretary of State outlined in his statement of 20 November, we inherited significant financial pressures in the defence budget from the last government. The capability retirements announced will deliver better value for money and ensure we are in a better position to modernise and strengthen UK defence. Future capability decisions will be subject to the findings of the Strategic Defence Review.

What plans he has for (a) HMS Albion, (b) HMS Bulwark, (c) RFA Wave Knight and (d) RFA Wave Ruler after they leave service.

As yet, no further decisions have been made regarding disposal plans for HMS Albion, HMS Bulwark, RFA Wave Knight, and RFA Wave Ruler. As with all decommissioned ships, a full suite of options is being assessed to ensure that the disposal achieves value for money and is policy compliant (safety, environmental and security).

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of a reduction in the number of Chinook helicopters on air assault operations.

The phased retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will not negatively impact the delivery of current Defence operational outputs, as these retirements will be synchronised with the delivery of replacement state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 (Extended Range) from 2027 onwards, maintaining our fleet number. A phased transition will see the old aircraft retired from service at the point they are due to enter into costly maintenance packages; ensure that we retain the necessary aircraft to cover operational commitments; and that engineers and pilots are available to transition onto the new H-47(ER) aircraft. H-47(ER) is a modern capability that will allow us to operate even closer with partner nations, including the US. This decision will allow greater efficiency within the maintenance cycles and better enable the transition process to the new aircraft.