Written questions by Holden.

What changes have been implemented by his Department as a result of operational lessons identified from the war in Ukraine, including (a) force structure and procurement priorities, (b) stockpiling and supply chain resilience for munitions and equipment and (c) integration of new technologies into frontline capability, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.

The UK's Armed Forces are learning much from the war in Ukraine, particularly the need for a much faster 'learn and adapt' cycle to accelerate developments in our capabilities, doctrine and tactics. More broadly, the Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by the UK to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century. The Defence Supply Chain Capability Programme is strengthening the resilience of our supply chain, and the Strategic Defence Review also confirmed that we will invest in "Always On" munitions production for our most critical ammunition types, and Ukraine lessons have been incorporated as we assess munitions choices across the force. The Strategic Defence Review also highlighted the importance of autonomous systems within the UK's Integrated Force. Decisions on our equipment requirements, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

How many and what proportion of contracts have been awarded by his Department in this Parliament under the terms of the Single Source Contract Regulations 2014 in each month since they came in to force; and with who the contracts were.

The total number of contracts which meet the requirements of the Single Source Contract Regulations 2014 placed in this Parliament is 100. This equates to 4.74% of all contracts placed on or since 4 July 2024.

Whether he has held discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart on cooperation relating to counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities; whether he has considered the deployment of Ukrainian counter-UAV (a) expertise and (b) interceptor drone systems to support the protection of UK (i) military bases and (ii) critical national infrastructure; and whether he has assessed the potential merits of interceptor drones as an alternative to missile-based air defence systems for countering Iranian-designed UAV threats.

Russia’s illegal invasion has resulted in Ukraine becoming a world leader in drone and electronic warfare technology. The Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart on this issue and is delighted that on the 17 March 2026 the UK signed an enhanced security and defence industrial declaration, which will strengthen collaboration between Ukrainian and British defence companies in these crucial sectors.

Whether procurement contracts issued by the Ministry of Defence must include provisions relating to (a) diversity, equality and inclusion and (b) climate change or sustainability targets or reporting requirements.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) mandates the inclusion of the Equality Defence Condition (DEFCON 516) in all its procurement contracts. This condition obligates suppliers to comply with the Equality Act 2010. The MOD request that industry provide a Carbon Reduction Plan at the Conditions of Participation stage in all procurements subject to the Procurement Act 2023 with an anticipated value of £5 million or above. This is consistent with the policy of the last government.

What estimate his Department has made of (a) the projected market price per litre of conventional aviation turbine fuel (Jet A-1) in each year from 2025 to 2040 and (b) the marginal cost difference per litre between conventional aviation turbine fuel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel in each of those years.

The Royal Air Force in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence Directorate Analytics are able to provide an estimated cost of the price per litre of both Conventional Aviation Turbine and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in each year from 2025-2040, and the marginal cost difference between them. However, the data in the below table is subject to change dependent on market fluctuation of fuel costs. The below forecasts are in United States Dollars (USD) per litre and will be subjected to currency conversion, which is changeable. Oil is generally bought and sold on the market in USD. YearEstimated cost in USD per litre for conventional aviation fuelEstimated cost in USD per litre for SAFEstimated cost difference between SAF and conventional aviation Fuel per litre20250.561.621.0620260.481.501.0220270.521.541.0220280.561.611.0520290.561.621.0620300.581.661.0720310.581.651.0720320.591.671.0720330.611.691.0820340.621.701.0920350.631.721.0920360.641.741.1020370.651.761.1020380.661.771.1120390.671.791.1220400.691.811.12

Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to Question 106742 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, whether the use of RAF CSAT aircraft includes use of military helicopters.

The hon. Member will recall that when this Government took office, we cancelled the VIP helicopter contract that had attracted so much criticism in previous years when used by the previous Government. The current RAF Command Support Air Transport fleet consists of two RAF Envoy IV fixed wing aircraft. The fleet is used for the rapid and efficient transport of small numbers of high priority passengers or freight to deliver critical diplomatic engagement and/or military output. These aircraft offer a flexibility of response unachievable by other means and avoids the use of larger, more expensive, and less discreet aircraft. The Cabinet Office has responsibility for organising Ministerial helicopter transport. There are no military helicopters in the Command Support Air Transport fleet.

Pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2025 to Question 66297 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, how many flights that includes.

The response to Question 66297 related to a total of 11 taskings.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to Question 106742 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, how many tasks there have been from RAF CSAT aircraft since July 2024.

It has been the practice of successive administrations not to publish granular information relating to the official movements of Ministers and those accompanying them within the United Kingdom.

What information their Department holds on (a) the proportion of tyres procured that were re-tread tyres for (i) Department-operated and (ii) commercially contracted heavy vehicle fleets, including lorries, buses and refuse vehicles and (b) the volume of tyres procured for those fleets that were single-use imported tyres in the last 12 months; and whether such information is held centrally or by individual contractors.

It is for bidders to submit compliant solutions to meet requirements. In accordance with the safety cases in place for our vehicles, the tyres in use are those approved by the design authority or original equipment manufacturer, which enables us to meet our obligations to ensure that the appropriate measures and controls are in place to make sure that our vehicles are safe to operate.

What estimate the RAF has made of the cost of the incremental move to being 22% sustainable aviation fuel by 2040 in each year individual year for which figures are available.

The RAF is able to provide an estimated cost of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Power to Liquid (PtL) fuel in accordance with the SAF mandate for each year up to 2040; however, these figures are subject to fluctuation. Costs are currently based on the trading of SAF certificates which are, at market average, £3.30 per litre for conventional SAF and estimated at approximately £4.00 per litre for PtL when the PtL Obligation is introduced in 2028. The below figures are based on an annual fuel consumption of 250 million litres per annum. This does not include operational flying activity which is dependent on operational tempo and external factors that are difficult to accurately predict. The estimated market cost sits below the buyout ceiling, which is the per-litre penalty cost at which non-compliance with the mandate is charged. Therefore, column F is indicative of the overall cost of fuel purchase under the SAF mandate inclusive of penalty costs were the RAF unable to meet the mandate targets. Department for Transport analysis predicts that by 2040, the domestic SAF position will have matured and there is potential for SAF to be purchased at £1.20 per litre. Should this be the case, the figures in the above table would be greatly reduced. ABCDEFYearTotal Oblig. (%)PtL Sub-target (%)Main SAF Target (%)Est. Market Cost (£) Buy-out Ceiling (£)20252.00%-2.00%£16,500,000£23,500,00020263.60%-3.60%£29,700,000£42,300,00020275.20%-5.20%£42,900,000£61,100,00020286.80%0.20%6.60%£56,450,000£80,050,00020298.40%0.20%8.20%£69,650,000£98,850,000203010.00%0.50%9.50%£83,375,000£117,625,000203110.75%0.50%10.25%£89,562,500£126,687,500203211.75%0.75%11.00%£98,250,000£138,750,000203312.75%1.00%11.75%£106,937,500£150,812,500203413.75%1.25%12.50%£115,625,000£162,875,000203515.00%1.50%13.50%£126,375,000£177,375,000203616.40%1.90%14.50%£138,625,000£194,412,500203717.80%2.30%15.50%£150,875,000£210,875,000203819.20%2.70%16.50%£163,125,000£227,625,000203920.60%3.10%17.50%£175,375,000£244,375,000204022.00%3.50%18.50%£187,625,000£261,125,000

What estimate he has made of the additional cost to the public purse of the Royal Air Force transitioning to 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel by 2040; and whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the long-term fiscal implications of sustainable or synthetic aviation fuel prices for Defence aviation.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) procures its aviation fuel in the UK from commercial suppliers at market rates. As a result, this makes accurate long-term cost forecasting challenging. The price of aviation fuel, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), is subject to market fluctuations, and the level of RAF fuel consumption varies due to numerous factors. The RAF has not committed to transitioning to 100% SAF by 2040. The RAF will follow the incremental transition to sustainable aviation fuel as set out in the UK Government's SAF mandate, which requires aviation fuel to contain 22% SAF by 2040. This date aligns with the RAF's aim to become a net-zero air force.

What the net zero targets for the Ministry of Defence and its arm’s-length bodies are; and what guidance has been issued on adopting net zero targets earlier than 2050.

The Net Zero target in the Climate Change Act 2008, is a target for the whole of the UK, not individual departments or arms-length bodies. Greening Government Commitments are the central framework setting out the actions UK Government departments and their agencies will take to reduce their impacts on the environment, including setting targets to reduce emissions. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are reviewing the Greening Government Commitments to ensure that they remain aligned with Government priorities. For the Ministry of Defence, guidance was published by the last Government in the 2021 Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach which set a target of reducing emissions from its built estate by at least 30% by 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2025 to Question 93956 on Driving Tests, what the marginal cost charged to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency by the Ministry of Defence is for the deployment of defence driving examiners.

I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my answer to Question 95727 which answered this same question.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-01/95727

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2025 to Question 93956 on Driving Tests, what is the estimated total cost of the Ministry of Defence charges to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency for the use of 36 defence driving examiners for one day per week over a 12-month period.

In response to a Military Aid to the Civil Authorities request from the Department for Transport, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has agreed to provide 36 defence driving examiners (DDE) to conduct driving tests for one day a week for 12 months. This support will seek to reduce current civilian driving test wait times. Actual costs will be calculated and charged following the completion of this support, the estimated cost is approximately £100,000. The MOD has agreed to charge marginal costs, rather than full costs, in line with HM Treasury guidelines as set out in JDP 02 UK Operations: the Defence Contribution to Resilience.

How many Royal Navy vessels are deployed in the Middle East, including the types of vessels deployed, for each of the last ten years for which the latest data is available; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of this presence given regional security threats.

The number of ships that have been deployed to the Middle East region (which includes the Gulf and the Eastern mediterranean) for the past ten years shown in the table below: Year20152016201720182019202020212022202320242025Number of Ships17141416131518118118 The number of deployments to the Middle East region will vary over time for many reasons, such as support for specific operations (for example, delivering humanitarian aid, non-combatant evacuation operations); changes to operating concepts and transiting through the region enroute to another area of operations. I am unable to provide specific detail on the type of vessels deployed to protect the operational security of the fleet. The Ministry of Defence keeps its force posture in the Middle East under continual review to safeguard the UK’s national security interests and operational requirements. We remain committed to working with our partners across the region.

If he will set out the current operational status of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, including which (a) frigates and (b) destroyers are (i) ready for deployment, (ii) at sea, (iii) in refit, (iv) in extended maintenance, and (v) expected to be unavailable for operational tasking for more than six months.

For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose elements of the Fleet's long-term schedule and readiness profiles. The Ministry of Defence continues to ensure that it has sufficient assets available to deliver our highest priority operational outputs. Currently the Royal Navy has 53 Surface Ships in service, at varying states of operational availability and readiness. The RFA has 10. It is important to see availability as a constant cycle as ships move through maintenance, training, and deployment and recovery phases, with around 50% of the fleet at high readiness or above at any one time. The Royal Navy continues to modernise its Fleet through careful management of a surface fleet transition plan to ensure the highest priority outputs are maintained through this decade and the next. We are replacing our Type 23 Frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 Frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 Frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence on the global stage. More information on Readiness Days can be found here: Committees.parliament.uk/publications/49894/documents/267958/default/

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of recent changes to the UK’s amphibious capability, including a) the decommissioning or reduced availability of amphibious platforms, b) the effect on the UK’s ability to conduct independent or NATO amphibious operations, and c) any change in doctrine arising from these reductions on the UK's military capabilities.

The Royal Marines and UK Commando Forces (UKCF) are being transformed through the Littoral Strike/Commando Force programme which is tailored to UK and NATO requirements. The decommissioning of amphibious platforms reflects a planned transition towards a new generation of amphibious capabilities. Our focus is on delivering these new capabilities which are currently being considered through the Defence Investment Plan, and we do not anticipate any impact on the planned operational programme of UKCF during this time. The UK retains the ability to conduct independent operations and our commitment to NATO remains unchanged. Recent adjustments to amphibious capability have not altered the UK's doctrinal commitment to amphibious operations.

If he will list the current status of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) fleet, including which vessels are (a) in service, (b) operational, (c) laid up and (d) awaiting repair; and if he will set out the expected in-service dates for (i) replacement and (ii) new-build RFA vessels.

For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose elements of the Fleet's long-term schedule and readiness profiles. The Ministry of Defence continues to ensure that it has sufficient assets available to deliver our highest priority operational outputs. Currently the Royal Navy has 53 Surface Ships in service, at varying states of operational availability and readiness. The RFA has 10. It is important to see availability as a constant cycle as ships move through maintenance, training, and deployment and recovery phases, with around 50% of the fleet at high readiness or above at any one time. The Royal Navy continues to modernise its Fleet through careful management of a surface fleet transition plan to ensure the highest priority outputs are maintained through this decade and the next. We are replacing our Type 23 Frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 Frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 Frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence on the global stage. More information on Readiness Days can be found here: Committees.parliament.uk/publications/49894/documents/267958/default/

If he will publish a timeline for the introduction of (a) future frigate classes, (b) autonomous systems and drones, and (c) AUKUS-related submarine capabilities; and if he will set out which of these will be available before 2030.

Future capability plans for the Royal Navy are being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan. However, the first of the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates are scheduled to be ready for operations by the end of the decade, with further uncrewed and autonomous systems scheduled to be introduced over the next five years. By 2030, AUKUS partners will establish a rotational SSN presence in Australia, embed advanced technologies through Pillar II, and build industrial and workforce capacity.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the level of readiness of the (a) Army and (b) RAF to respond to a high-intensity conflict, including (i) levels of critical munitions, (ii) levels of personnel and (iii) equipment availability rates.

The Armed Forces readiness is directed by the Armed Forces Plan, in which the Chief of the Defence Staff directs his Military Command Chiefs to hold a variety of Force Elements at varying levels of readiness. This readiness in aligned to our NATO Force Model along with our Sovereign defence and our ability to respond to crisis.Defence continues to focus on ensuring its readiness, including for a high-intensity conflict, in line with the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The SDR is already being implemented, and the Defence Investment Plan will further shape our priorities to ensure we can continue to meet the threats we face.