Written questions by Akehurst.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of an expanded role for the Joint Expeditionary Force in European security over the coming years.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the threat posed by hostile drone activity to UK critical national infrastructure, what steps his Department is taking to develop (a) drone jamming and (b) electronic signal disruption capabilities to counter that threat; and what steps his Department is taking to draw on lessons derived from Ukraine's operational experience in doing so.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure investment into the drone package for Ukraine helps generate sustained UK domestic industrial capacity.

Awaiting answer.

Whether any Ministry of Defence procurement has been adversely impacted by delays in the delivery of USA-manufactured weapons as a result of the conflict in Iran.

Awaiting answer.

What funding has been allocated from the up to £1 billion announced for UK air and missile defence specifically to counter-drone technologies; and what proportion of that funding is directed toward industry-led innovation.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the General Lighthouse Authorities in ensuring resilience in maritime security.

Awaiting answer.

What milestones and timelines will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan for the delivery of Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities, including counter-drone systems and electromagnetic warfare.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of whether the UK/EU–Ukraine Defence Innovation Corridor could help UK drone manufacturers benefiting from the Ukraine drone package to develop longer-term co-production and technology-sharing arrangements with Ukrainian industry.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 125978, what metrics his Department is using to assess the effectiveness of the learn and adapt cycle referenced in relation to lessons from Ukraine; and how frequently these assessments are reviewed by Ministers.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions his Department has had with UK (a) SMEs and (b) early-stage defence technology companies on developing (i) counter-drone and (ii) electronic warfare capabilities informed by lessons from Ukraine.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department plans to increase the proportion of Government ship-building contracts awarded to contractors manufacturing in UK shipyards.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to answer HL12150, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Procurement Act 2023 on increasing the volume of Ministry of Defence-related work for the UK ship-building sector.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the risk to national security of outsourcing sensitive defence infrastructure to private sub-contractors accused of breaching sanctions against Russia.

Awaiting answer.

If his Department will increase the proportion of domestic sub-contractors used by Ministry of Defence contractors.

Awaiting answer.

Whether subcontracting the construction of Royal Navy support vessels to a Dutch shipbuilder is consistent with the objectives of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department has taken to support UK shipyards to tender for defence procurement contracts.

Awaiting answer.

How his Department defines novel technologies, with regard to the commitment in the Strategic Defence Review that at least 10 per cent of equipment spending be allocated to such technologies.

The Government has set out its ambition for the Ministry of Defence to spend at least 10% of its equipment procurement budget on novel technologies, including areas such as uncrewed and autonomous systems and AI-enabled capabilities. Work is currently ongoing across the Department, to develop the policy arrangements underpinning this commitment in order to support effective prioritisation, reporting and delivery. The formal framework, including the definition of novel technologies, will be finalised as part of the Defence Investment Plan which will set out Defence’s approach to delivering against this ambition.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of neo-prime defence companies on returns on investment for defence procurement.

As outlined in the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Defence needs to look beyond traditional defence companies to redefine the industrial base, reflecting the deep range of partners and expertise both within our traditional defence sector but also those in adjacent sectors. To improve value for money, we are opening-up procurement to innovative, non traditional suppliers, accelerating delivery through spiral development, and strengthening competition — ensuring we deliver more capable outcomes to the front line at better value for the taxpayer.

What steps his Department is taking to improve access to defence research and development funding for small and medium‑sized businesses specialising in software, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) has been established to harness UK ingenuity and boost military technology, as part of the Government’s drive to turbocharge innovation in defence and deliver growth as part of the Plan for Change. UKDI will be fully operational by July 2026 and will have a ringfenced budget of at least £400 million from financial year 2025-26 with the ambition for this to rise as UKDI becomes established. The Ministry of Defence works closely with UK industry and academia, including Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME), to identify and invest in innovative technologies that address our most pressing capability challenges. This includes businesses specialising in software, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.

How his Department intends to evaluate progress towards increasing the proportion of defence spending directed towards emerging technologies during this Parliament.

The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) highlights the need for an innovative defence industry that adapts to changing warfare by utilising data, software, procurement, exports, innovation, and R&D to promote UK science and emerging technologies, including clean technology. Following on from the DIS and the Strategic Defence Review. UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) has been established to harness UK ingenuity and boost military technology, as part of the Government’s drive to turbocharge innovation in defence and deliver growth as part of the Plan for Change. UKDI will be fully operational by July 2026 and will have a ringfenced budget of at least £400 million from financial year 2025-26 with the ambition for this to rise as UKDI becomes established. The Ministry of Defence will evaluate progress by regularly reviewing defence spending data to measure the proportion allocated to emerging technologies, setting clear targets, and reporting on these metrics to ensure commitments made for this Parliament are met.