Written questions by MacCleary.

What progress his Department has made on the Type 83 design process; and whether it will be completed by 2038.

I refer the hon. Member to my response to question 106653 on 27 January 2026.

What progress he has made on (a) Project Beehive, (b) MMCM program (Marine Mine Counter Measures), (c) SeaCat and (d) the repairs to HMS Bangor.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

(a) when he expects the Ministry of Defence to respond to Freedom of Information request FOI2026/00636, submitted by my office on the 9th January 2026, and (b) what the reasons are for the delay in issuing a response.

It has taken more time than expected to collate the information in scope of this request. I apologise for the delay and will aim to provide a substantive response as soon as possible.

For what reason were urgent repairs requested for Service Family Accommodation from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

Between 23 March and 6 April 2026, a total of 1,639 requests were logged as urgent repair requests for Service Family Accommodation properties across the UK Defence estate. A report that is detailing the breakdown of urgent repairs by their reason can be seen in the table below. CategoryNumber of requestsBRICKLAYER WORKS2ELECTRICAL ENGINEER288GROUNDWORKS4HANDYMAN5HEAT/AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP WORKS5HEATING REPRESSURISE SYSTEM WORKS3GAS ENGINEER WORKS622HEAT AND OIL WORKS8JOINER WORKS181MOULD TREATMENT WORKS3PEST CONTROL WORKS15PLUMBING WORKS471ROOFER WORKS28SPECIALIST WORKS4Grand Total1,639

How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by Pinnacle Service Families from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.

What plans his Department has for the provision of simulation and training infrastructure to support the New Medium Helicopter programme.

The New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract includes the provision of four Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs). These will be housed at RAF Benson, along with associated training infrastructure.

How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by Amey from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

This information is not held in the format requested for Amey and VIVO. Complaints from families are received and managed by Pinnacle’s National Service Centre. Amey and VIVO do not record or manage these complaints from families. Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.

How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by VIVO from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

This information is not held in the format requested for Amey and VIVO. Complaints from families are received and managed by Pinnacle’s National Service Centre. Amey and VIVO do not record or manage these complaints from families. Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of using defence bonds as a way to finance capital-intensive commitments in the Strategic Defence Review.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

How many urgent repairs were requested for Service Family Accommodation from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

Between 23 March and 6 April 2026, a total of 1,639 requests were logged as urgent repair requests for Service Family Accommodation properties across the UK Defence estate. A report that is detailing the breakdown of urgent repairs by their reason can be seen in the table below. CategoryNumber of requestsBRICKLAYER WORKS2ELECTRICAL ENGINEER288GROUNDWORKS4HANDYMAN5HEAT/AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP WORKS5HEATING REPRESSURISE SYSTEM WORKS3GAS ENGINEER WORKS622HEAT AND OIL WORKS8JOINER WORKS181MOULD TREATMENT WORKS3PEST CONTROL WORKS15PLUMBING WORKS471ROOFER WORKS28SPECIALIST WORKS4Grand Total1,639

Whether his Department has considered replacing the mark 1 30mm cannon on the Type 45 with the DS30M mark 2.

The Ministry of Defence keeps the capabilities of all Royal Navy platforms under regular review to ensure they remain aligned with operational requirements. The Type 45 Destroyers are equipped with a range of layered defensive systems that continue to meet current operational needs.Any future consideration of alternative weapon systems would be assessed against cost, capability need, platform integration requirements, crew impacts, and overall value for money in the context of the developing Defence Investment Plan.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 115740 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, for what reason DEFCON 514 was excluded from his Department’s contract with General Dynamics UK for the supply of Ajax-family vehicles.

DEFCON 514 did not exist at the point the Ajax contract was placed. However, the narrative conditions included in the Ajax contract are at least as favourable to the Authority as DEFCON 514. If General Dynamics UK are determined to be in Material Breach of its obligations under the contract, the Authority has a range of remedies available to them to secure the successful delivery of the vehicles, including but not limited to, step in rights, demand recovery plans, or terminate.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 115740 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what remedies his Department has available should General Dynamics UK be in material breach of its obligations under the contract to supply Ajax-family vehicles.

DEFCON 514 did not exist at the point the Ajax contract was placed. However, the narrative conditions included in the Ajax contract are at least as favourable to the Authority as DEFCON 514. If General Dynamics UK are determined to be in Material Breach of its obligations under the contract, the Authority has a range of remedies available to them to secure the successful delivery of the vehicles, including but not limited to, step in rights, demand recovery plans, or terminate.

Whether his department updated the Leonardo contract for new medium helicopters (NMH) in line with inflation.

Tenderers were required to hold their price for the duration of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) procurement process, and there has been no change to the contract price from the received tender. As I noted in my Written Statement to the House of 3 March 2026, this contract will supply our military with 23 modern helicopters, built in the UK, directly sustaining 3,300 British jobs at Leonardo Yeovil, and enables the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade.

What is the number of staff dedicated to preparing the Defence Investment Plan over the last twelve months.

The Defence Investment Plan has been supported by a flexible cross‑Defence team, with personnel allocated at the right level to reflect the complexity of the work and ensure progress to publication.

How many Type 31 Frigates will have Mk.41 VLS added during the Capability Insertion Period.

We intend to fit the Type 31 frigate with the Mark 41 vertical launch system. Working closely with the US Navy, we are progressing the next steps of the Mk41 procurement, including assessment of all installation and integration options. At this stage, as I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand, it would be inappropriate to provide any further information whilst this commercially sensitive work is ongoing.

How many Type 31 Frigates will have Mk.41 VLS incorporated during construction and prior to launch.

We intend to fit the Type 31 frigate with the Mark 41 vertical launch system. Working closely with the US Navy, we are progressing the next steps of the Mk41 procurement, including assessment of all installation and integration options. At this stage, as I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand, it would be inappropriate to provide any further information whilst this commercially sensitive work is ongoing.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2026 to Question 108465 on Ammunition: Factories, when the construction of the planned new munitions factories is expected to (a) begin and (b) be completed.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 3 February to Question 108465.

How much and what proportion of his Department’s Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit is committed and accounted for (a) by contracts already in place and (b) other existing spending commitments in (i) 2026-27, (ii) 2027-28 and (iii) 2028-29 financial years.

The Department does not routinely put forecast figures into the public domain. The Ministry of Defence's forward spending plans are being considered as part of work on the Defence Investment Plan.

Whether DEFCON 514 is applicable to the contract between his Department and General Dynamics UK for the supply of Ajax-family vehicles.

DEFCON 514 is not applicable to the Ajax contract with General Dynamics UK, however similar provisions are included.