Written questions by Johnson.

What is the operational (a) status and (b) future of RFA Fort Victoria.

Awaiting answer.

If he will provide a timeline for the (a) design, (b) tendering and (c) award of contracts for (i) dry-dock maintenance and (ii) berthing of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet from 2028.

Awaiting answer.

What recent assessment he has made of the progress the Royal Fleet Auxiliary has made in recruiting and retaining civilian seafarer staff since July 2024.

Awaiting answer.

What progress the Ministry of Defence has made in reaching agreements with commercial shipping operators to enable Royal Fleet Auxiliary (a) apprentices, (b) cadets (c) qualified Ratings and (d) qualified Officer

Awaiting answer.

What assessment has been made of the additional crewing required to bring the RFA Fort Victoria back into operational service.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department distinguishes between legal basis relied upon for support to allied military operations and the general criteria used to determine whether a proposed activity falls within the Government’s

Awaiting answer.

Whether Government authorisation is required for refuelling, staging, maintenance, intelligence support and overflight, in addition to aircraft launching from UK territory.

Permissions to utilise UK military bases are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decision to grant permission is dependent on the nature and purpose of their activity. This includes consideration of the applicable legal and policy frameworks.

Whether missions supported from UK bases are approved on a case-by-case basis.

Permissions to utilise UK military bases are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decision to grant permission is dependent on the nature and purpose of their activity. This includes consideration of the applicable legal and policy frameworks.

What UK locations, including civilian airports, have been used to support United States aircraft transiting to operations in the Middle East since the start of the Iran conflict in February 2026.

For operational security reasons, we will not comment further on foreign nations’ military aircraft movements.

What legal basis under international law underpins the Government’s definition of “defensive operations” in relation to support for United States military activity.

As stated by the Prime Minister on 2 March 2026, our action is rooted in the principle of collective self‑defence of regional partners and in the protection of British lives. We have published a summary of our legal position, which sets this out clearly. ...

What definition he uses for defensive operations in relation to United States use of UK bases and airspace.

The UK Government’s legal position on defensive action in respect of Iranian regional attacks can be found here: Summary of the UK Government legal position: The legality of defensive action in respect of Iranian regional attacks - GOV.UK

Whether he reviews target-level information before approving United States missions supported from UK bases.

As announced by the Prime Minister on 1 March 2026, the Government agreed to a US request to use UK bases for specific and limited defensive purposes against facilities in Iran which are involved in launching strikes at regional allies. All UK support to ...

With reference to the Answer of 13 July 2020 to Question 68798 on Yemen: Military Intervention, whether his Department maintains its Tracker database of alleged instances of breaches or violations of International Humanitarian Law with regards to arms sales to the United Arab Emirates.

The UK maintained a database of alleged instances of breaches or violations of International Humanitarian Law by members of the Saudi Led Coalition in Yemen, including the United Arab Emirates. As the Coalition no longer operates in Yemen and there have been no new allegations, I can confirm this record is no longer maintained.

How much his Department has spent with Straight Flight Nevada Commercial Leasing LLC since October 2023.

The Ministry of Defence has been conducting unarmed surveillance flights over Gaza for the sole purpose of locating hostages. The UK controls what information is passed on to Israeli authorities and only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authority, and only when we believe it will be used in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. I cannot comment on these matters further for reasons of operational security.

Whether his Department holds contracts with Straight Flight Nevada Commercial Leasing LLC.

As the hon. Member will recall from the previous answer. I cannot comment on these matters for reasons of operational security.

Whether his Department holds contracts with Straight Flight Nevada Commercial Leasing LLC.

I cannot comment on these matters for reasons of operational security.

What is the the cost of the RAF's surveillance flights over Gaza, for each month from October 2023 .

The Ministry of Defence has been conducting unarmed surveillance flights over Gaza for the sole purpose of locating hostages.While I am unable to disclose these costs for reasons of operational security and as a matter of policy, Defence operational spend in relation to the Israel-Gaza conflict for 2023/24 has been published in its Annual Reports and Accounts for that financial year online. The Department's accounts for 2024-25 will be published in due course.

What is the cost of using RAF (a) personnel and (b) equipment to prepare Straight Flight Nevada Commercial Leasing LLC for surveillance flights over Gaza, for each month from October 2023.

The Ministry of Defence has been conducting unarmed surveillance flights over Gaza for the sole purpose of locating hostages.While I am unable to disclose these costs for reasons of operational security and as a matter of policy, Defence operational spend in relation to the Israel-Gaza conflict for 2023/24 has been published in its Annual Reports and Accounts for that financial year online. The Department's accounts for 2024-25 will be published in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of procuring Multi-Role Strike Ships rather than Multi-Role Support Ships on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

The Multi-Role Strike Ship programme is in its Concept Phase during which the requirements, including appropriate crewing models are determined.The name change from Multi-Role Support Ship to Multi-Role Strike Ship better reflects the platform’s function and does not indicate any change of requirement.

What the operational status is of RFA Argus.

RFA ARGUS is maintained at a state of readiness for tasks including serving as an Aviation Support Ship for the UK’s Littoral Response Group (LRG), and as a Primary Casualty Receiving Facility. During periods when it is not needed for LRG or medical operations, ARGUS is utilised as an Aviation Training Ship, offering a platform for the training and qualification of UK MOD pilots. I visited RFA ARGUS recently alongside in Falmouth and can report I met with very capable members of the RFA on board who stand ready to deliver defence tasks with professionalism and courage.