Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,861–1,880 of 3,162 · this parliament
What estimate he has made of the number of jobs that will be supported by the New Medium Helicopter contract in each of the next four financial years.
The New Medium Helicopter procurement remains commercially sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process needs to complete before further details, including estimates of the number of jobs it will support, can be confirmed.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 37237 on Defence: Procurement, what the other Departmental publications are that are working in parallel to the SME direct spend target.
The Ministry of Defence's SME direct spend target continues to be developed in parallel with and as part of the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. We intend to publish an updated SME Action Plan setting out how we will deliver on the target and take forward the broader commitments to SMEs set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy.
How many jobs will be supported by the Ajax contract during this Parliament.
The Armoured Cavalry (Ajax) Programme supports 4,100 jobs in the UK supply chain across 230 companies.
What estimate he has made of the number of jobs that will be supported by the Boxer contract during this Parliament.
The Mechanised Infantry (BOXER) programme supports a network of over 100 UK suppliers. It has created approximately 1,000 direct British jobs and sustains three times as many. 60% by value of the original BOXER production contract is planned to come from the UK.
How many jobs will be supported in defence rotary contracts during this Parliament.
This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
How many jobs will be supported by the New Medium Helicopter contract during this Parliament.
The New Medium Helicopter procurement remains commercially sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process needs to complete before further details, including estimates of the number of jobs it will support, can be confirmed.
How many jobs will be supported by the RCH 155 contract during this Parliament.
The Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) project is currently in the assessment phase with the intention of delivering the system within this decade, therefore, it is not possible to provide a total figure at present. The anticipated new Rheinmetall UK gun barrel factory, that will manufacture RCH 155 and Challenger 3 barrels, will support over 400 jobs.
What steps he is taking to expand signal jamming practice for armed forces personnel.
The Ministry of Defence is not taking any additional steps to ‘expand’ its ability to enable Armed Forces personnel to practice jamming signals, It is not appropriate to go into details for operational security reasons. I can confirm beyond the that there are extant procedures that exist to enable jamming for testing, training and exercising in the UK.
Whether he plans to procure any SG-1 Fathom underwater gliders.
The Royal Navy has begun industry engagement to understand how commercial systems could be used to conduct anti-submarine warfare in the Atlantic. Any acquisition of these capabilities would be subject to outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review, funding and open competition.
Whether he plans to procure the Lura-SG-1 artificial intelligence system.
The Royal Navy has begun industry engagement to understand how commercial systems could be used to conduct anti-submarine warfare in the Atlantic.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 May to Question 48490 on Brunei: Armed Forces, what mitigations are in place until the introduction of the H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopters.
I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the recently agreed trade agreement with India on Defence.
The landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a significant achievement which will strengthen the UK's economy. While the defence sector is not directly linked to the FTA, secondary benefits for Defence will include improved terms for advanced manufacturing, business mobility and stronger bilateral relations to drive forward a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
What recent progress he has made on implementing Project Grayburn.
I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave on 28 April 2025 to Question 45196. In alignment with the Land Industrial Strategy, recent analysis focussed on job creation in the UK manufacturing sector, project costs and the procurement thresholds necessary to encourage private investment from industry. I am withholding further detail relating to the conducted analysis due to reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Whether UK sovereign capability will be considered in the procurement of a replacement for the SA80 rifle.
Project GRAYBURN aims to replace the L85 family of rifles with a new weapon system fit for future warfare. This will be achieved in partnership with industry by growing UK sovereign manufacturing skills and infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence is committed to investing in our nation’s prosperity and supporting and developing our competitive industrial base through provision of education, skills and jobs. The Defence Industrial Strategy will articulate how best Defence can contribute to sovereign operational independence, including in the production of small arms.
How many Australian companies have been approved by the Australian Government to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community.
Australia currently has 344 members of its Authorised User Community. The reason that their membership numbers are higher than the UK is a result of Australia migrating their members from the Australia Approved Community (AC) which is under the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty (DTCT) 2012. The Australian DTCT was more widely used by Australia than the UK and therefore Australia had more AC members to migrate than the UK.
What steps he is taking to increase UK sovereign capability in small arms production.
Project GRAYBURN aims to replace the L85 family of rifles with a new weapon system fit for future warfare. This will be achieved in partnership with industry by growing UK sovereign manufacturing skills and infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence is committed to investing in our nation’s prosperity and supporting and developing our competitive industrial base through provision of education, skills and jobs. The Defence Industrial Strategy will articulate how best Defence can contribute to sovereign operational independence, including in the production of small arms.
How many UK companies have been approved to join the AUKUS Authorised User Community exemption from the U.S. International Traffic in Arms regulations.
98 entities have been approved with 171 entities currently going through the approval process.
What the average processing time is for UK applications for companies to join the Authorised User Community exemption from the U.S. International Traffic in Arms regulations.
The Ministry of Defence has only recently fully established the new Authorised User Community (AUC) joining process. Application timelines were not monitored while the process was being established. Data will be gathered over the next few months to provide indicative processing timelines. It is also worth noting that once the UK process has been completed, the US must then complete its own checks on the applicants prior to those entities being approved for membership of the AUC.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 April to Question 43148 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, whether artificial intelligence has been used to support (a) routine operations and (b) policy in relation to nuclear capability.
The delivery of defence capabilities enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) will be ambitious, safe and responsible. Research to identify, understand, and mitigate against risks of applying AI for sensitive defence affairs is underway. Routine nuclear deterrence operations continue to be conducted in accordance with the highest standards and controls. Regardless of any potential application of artificial intelligence in our strategic systems, we will ensure human political control of our nuclear weapons is maintained at all times. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that I will not comment further on the details as to do so would prejudice the capability, security and effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43148 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, whether his Department has used artificial intelligence to support (a) routine operations and (b) policy work for operational matters.
The provision of support to routine operations by artificial intelligence (AI) is ambitious, safe and responsible, in line with the Dependable AI Joint Service Publication 936. All capabilities, whether AI-enabled or not, are developed and used in line with existing rigorous processes to ensure safety, effectiveness and lawfulness. Adherence to the rule of law is central to the Ministry of Defence’s approach to and its conduct of military operations. Any operation supported by AI is subject to the same applicable laws. Military commanders remain responsible for their decisions at all times, including where these are enabled by AI.