Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to page 18 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, which back-office functions will be transferred to front-line roles.

The Government is endorsing the vision and accepting the Strategic Defence Reviews's 62 recommendations, including the recommendation that the MOD should seek to release all Regular personnel from administrative into front-line roles and should automate at least 20% of Human Resources, Finance, and Commercial functions by July 2028. Military personnel in administrative roles perform them with pride and skill. As we return to rebuilding warfighting readiness, it is important that we are using our highly trained and highly skilled military personnel for the roles only they can do. The Strategic Defence Review sets the vision; more detailed workforce planning will now be conducted within the department to make these changes in a deliberate, phased way.

With reference to page 18 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what information his Department holds on when it will receive funding to increase the number of active reserves by 20%.

Our Reserve Forces help the UK Armed Forces meet the threats we face at home and overseas, with the scale, skills, agility and connection to society that we need, in a cost-effective way. The diversity of knowledge, skills, experience, and behaviours that Reserves bring from their outside jobs are an invaluable strength. We have received the recommendation and are looking at how to undertake this in due course.

With reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, what the cost of establishing the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation will be.

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation. The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology. The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

With reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, who will command the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation.

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation. The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology. The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

With reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how many staff will be employed as part of the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation.

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation. The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology. The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

With reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, when the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation will be established.

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation. The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology. The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

What is timetable is for the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Defence Investment Plan will be published in the Autumn.

When he plans to publish the Defence Industrial Strategy.

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. The Defence Industrial Strategy will be published in the coming months.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how many crew are required to staff the announced production of up to 12 submarines.

The SSNA Programme is currently in the detailed design phase, which includes determining crew numbers. The aim is to deliver the first UK submarines into service in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-Class vessels.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, when he plans to produce the first attack submarine.

The SSNA Programme is currently in the detailed design phase, which includes determining crew numbers. The aim is to deliver the first UK submarines into service in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-Class vessels.

What the in service date for the effector resulting from the European Long-Range Strike Approach programme is.

The European Long Range Strike Arrangement (ELSA) is exploring national requirements around several systems and effectors to achieve various capabilities and ranges. The longest-range systems under consideration have in-service dates from 2030 onwards.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025 in which year the new £11bn Invest annual budget will commence.

Under Defence Reform, the Department's investment funding has been brought together in one place under the National Armaments Director Group from this financial year. Further details of this invest budget will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan this autumn.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, in which year the £1.5bn always on pipeline will commence.

Defence is investing £6 billion in munitions this Parliament, including an extra £1.5 billion in an 'always on' pipeline for munitions and building at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK, generating over 1,000 jobs, and boosting export potential.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how many years will be covered by the £1.5bn always on pipeline for munitions.

Defence is investing £6 billion in munitions this Parliament, including an extra £1.5 billion in an 'always on' pipeline for munitions and building at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK, generating over 1,000 jobs, and boosting export potential.

What steps he is taking to ensure that critical components of military drones manufactured in the UK and supplied to Ukraine are sourced from UK suppliers.

Where the UK’s drone industry can meet Ukraine’s drone requirements, Task Force KINDRED try to source from UK industry. This has been reaffirmed by the Defence Secretary’s announcement at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 4 June 2025, where he pledged £350 million investment into drones this financial year, with the majority of the spend to be with British companies. The UK’s military support to Ukraine is based upon Ukraine’s needs, prioritising speed of delivery for equipment. When drone production or their performance is constrained by supply of components, the Ministry of Defence has worked with UK companies to develop and produce new components.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19731 on Poland: Guided Weapons, what the planned in service date is for the Future Common Missile.

We are continuing to work with Poland to develop our plans for future Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities. The planned in-service dates of those capabilities will be determined in due course.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how much of the £6bn announced for munitions this Parliament has been accounted for in his Department’s budget.

We will develop a new Defence Investment Plan to deliver the Strategic Defence Review’s vision. We will ensure the Plan is deliverable and affordable, considers infrastructure alongside capabilities, enables flexibility to seize new technology opportunities, and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy. This will supersede the old-style Defence Equipment Plan. This will deliver the best kit and technology into the hands of our front-line forces at speed and, importantly, invest in and grow the UK economy. The plan will highlight how the Government's historic investment in defence will deliver warfighting readiness to deter increasing threats and drive defence as an engine for jobs and growth. The Defence Investment Plan will be published later this year.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how many years will be covered by the £11bn Invest annual budget.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence.We will develop a new Defence Investment Plan to deliver the SDR’s vision. We will ensure the Plan is deliverable and affordable, considers infrastructure alongside capabilities, enables flexibility to seize new technology opportunities, and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy. This will supersede the old-style Defence Equipment Plan. This will deliver the best kit and technology into the hands of our front-line forces at speed and, importantly, invest in and grow the UK economy. The Defence Investment Plan will be completed later this year. The plan will highlight how the Government's historic investment in defence will deliver warfighting readiness to deter increasing threats and drive defence as an engine for jobs and growth.

With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of submarine docking availability, in the context of his Department’s announcement to produce up to 12 attack submarines.

The Government is committed to ensuring the availability of submarine berths to support all submarine operations. We are focussed on the long-term infrastructure development of His Majesty's Naval Bases Clyde and Devonport to support the United Kingdom's future fleet of submarines.For reasons of operational security, further details on specific berths cannot be disclosed.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the design of the Chagos Islands flag will change following the ratification of the Chagos treaty.

A British flag will continue to be flown at the UK-US Base on Diego Garcia as it has always done.The British Indian Ocean Territory will cease to exist as a British Overseas Territory upon ratification of the treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius.No decision has yet been taken on any future use or adaptation of the current BIOT flag.