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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the UK's NATO Force Model contributions of the decision by the US of rightsizing its own contributions, as announced at NATO headquarters in Brussels on 22 May 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the UK's NATO Force Model contributions of the decision by the US of rightsizing its own contributions, as announced at NATO headquarters in Brussels on 22 May 2026.
We welcome the US’s briefing which enables NATO Allies to plan and sequence the shift as part of greater European burden sharing.
The UK is a fully committed Ally; we offer almost all our Armed Forces and significant capability contributions to NATO. Currently, the UK Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the North Atlantic and High North, working with NATO Allies to deter Russian threats.
We are working with the US to ensure all Allies are contributing fairly through NATO Force Sourcing processes, and we remain committed to working with Allies to strengthen NATO by ensuring Europe is more capable, more resilient, and better able to shoulder the Alliance’s shared security burdens.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, 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.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, 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.
While the conflict in Iran has resulted in changes to delivery schedules of some munitions, Ministry of Defence teams work continuously with US partners to assess and adapt procurement programmes to ensure support to operations. We cannot comment further on specific munitions or stockpile questions for security reasons.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the repayment terms for construction and maintenance work carried out to bases used by US forces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the repayment terms for construction and maintenance work carried out to bases used by US forces.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) initially meets all costs for construction and maintenance work on United States Visiting Forces (USVF) projects. The timing of payments to contractors depends on the terms agreed in each contract. Once the MOD has paid the contractor invoices, it raises recharge invoices to the USVF. These recharge invoices must be settled within 60 days.
Additionally, the USVF provides a contribution equal to 7.5% of the actual construction costs towards MOD overheads. This contribution is also payable within 60 days, in line with the recharge terms for construction and maintenance expenditure.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of collaborating with the US Navy on the F/A-XX programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of collaborating with the US Navy on the F/A-XX programme.
The UK continues to work closely with the United States Navy on future combat air capabilities. The UK is not a partner in the F/A-XX programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 112206, on Palantir: Contracts, whether communications were sent by Lord Mandelson in relation to the contract with Palantir.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 112206, on Palantir: Contracts, whether communications were sent by Lord Mandelson in relation to the contract with Palantir.
As the Secretary of State for Defence has previously set out, Lord Mandelson had no influence or involvement in the Defence Enterprise Agreement with Palantir. Based on the information held by the Ministry of Defence, the Department is not aware of any communications sent by Lord Mandelson in relation to the contract with Palantir.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met his counterparts from the USA and Australia to discuss potential national security threats posed by Chinese-made connected vehicles.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met his counterparts from the USA and Australia to discuss potential national security threats posed by Chinese-made connected vehicles.
The Defence Secretary speaks with his US and Australian counterparts regularly on a range of national security topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our nations. The Ministry of Defence is working with other government departments to mitigate any potential threats to national security from connected vehicles. Our policies and procedures take account of the potential threats from all types of vehicle, irrespective of origin, and we keep them under constant review.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 44689 on RAF Molesworth: Construction, if he will set out the payment terms for construction and maintenance work for United States Visiting Forces projects that are subsequently recharged to the United States...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 44689 on RAF Molesworth: Construction, if he will set out the payment terms for construction and maintenance work for United States Visiting Forces projects that are subsequently recharged to the United States...
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) initially meets all costs for construction and maintenance work on United States Visiting Forces (USVF) projects. The timing of payments to contractors depends on the terms agreed in each contract. Once the MOD has paid the contractor invoices, it raises recharge invoices to the USVF. These recharge invoices must be settled within 60 days.
Additionally, the USVF provides a contribution to cover MOD overheads. This contribution is also payable within 60 days, in line with the recharge terms for construction and maintenance expenditure.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any components manufactured in the UK have been supplied for use in the Tomahawk missiles used in US military operations against Iran since 28 February 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any components manufactured in the UK have been supplied for use in the Tomahawk missiles used in US military operations against Iran since 28 February 2026.
The UK works closely with the US on many defence priorities, and our supply chains are of course both complex and intertwined. As part of longstanding convention, we do not comment on military operational details.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions has he had with a) his US counterparts or b) Spektreworks, regarding the Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS).
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions has he had with a) his US counterparts or b) Spektreworks, regarding the Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS).
The Department has no records of formal engagement with US counterparts or SpektreWorks regarding the Low‑Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS).
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role Lord Mandelson played while Ambassador to the United States on advising on the awarding of defence contracts to Palantir.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role Lord Mandelson played while Ambassador to the United States on advising on the awarding of defence contracts to Palantir.
Details of central Government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service. The details published online include whether each contract was let through competitive tendering or via direct award.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the scope is of the UK's participation in Project Convergence.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the scope is of the UK's participation in Project Convergence.
Project Convergence is a series of multinational experiments led by the United States Army Futures Command to test, integrate, and evaluate emerging technologies that enable faster, data driven decision making across domains.
The United Kingdom participates in Project Convergence as part of its long-standing cooperation with the United States Army on future force development, experimentation, and interoperability. The British Army’s participation ensures that it remains interoperable, digitally connected and prepared for the future demands of conflict.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision of the (a) US Marines to retain the M27 rifle and (b) US Army’s adoption of the M7 on the ability of UK forces to operate with US forces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision of the (a) US Marines to retain the M27 rifle and (b) US Army’s adoption of the M7 on the ability of UK forces to operate with US forces.
The UK and US share evidence on research and experimentation on the development of small arms. Enhancing interoperability with Allies remains an important consideration in any procurement of capability that the Department undertakes. This includes the British Army’s Project GRAYBURN which will deliver the replacement of the L85 rifle. The project is considering different calibres as part of wider interoperability considerations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussed his Government's Chagos Islands Treaty with his United States counterpart since 18 February 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussed his Government's Chagos Islands Treaty with his United States counterpart since 18 February 2026.
The Secretary of State for Defence speaks regularly with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on a wide range of issues, including Diego Garcia.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the speech by the Prime Minister at the Munich Security Conference on 14 February 2026, on which US capabilities he plans to decrease dependence.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the speech by the Prime Minister at the Munich Security Conference on 14 February 2026, on which US capabilities he plans to decrease dependence.
The forthcoming Defence Investment Plan will set out how the UK will deliver the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review, ensuring we are integrated into NATO force structures by design but capable of acting as an integrated sovereign force when needed. This includes consideration of enabling capabilities such as munitions stockpiles, cyber resilience, space assets, and critical industrial capacity.
While the UK-US defence relationship remains foundational to our defence and national security, and the UK derives great benefit from it, it is right that the UK continues to invest in a balanced mix of sovereign, bilateral and multilateral programmes. This ensures our Armed Forces can operate effectively with allies, lead when necessary, and maintain freedom of action in any future strategic environment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there was any communication between his Department and Global Counsel in relation to the visit by the Prime Minister to the Washington offices of Palantir.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there was any communication between his Department and Global Counsel in relation to the visit by the Prime Minister to the Washington offices of Palantir.
In line with the Humble Address motion agreed on 4 February, any information relevant to this and other questions regarding Mr Mandelson's appointment to, employment in, and withdrawal from, his posting as His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States will be published according to the process and provisions set out in the motion.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the local economic benefits to the United Kingdom of the United States military bases in Britain.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the local economic benefits to the United Kingdom of the United States military bases in Britain.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has not formally evaluated the economic benefit to the UK of the United States Visiting Forces (USVF) and therefore a verified financial estimate is not available. The continued presence of United States military forces in the UK forms an important part of the United States’ on-going wider commitment to NATO and the security of Europe.
The influence a USVF base will have on the economic development of nearby communities will depend on its location, base size, operational tempo and local context. The presence of a USVF base in the community creates both direct and indirect employment, and opportunities for local businesses and landlords to make commercial arrangements with members of the visiting forces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether financial benefits accrue to the United Kingdom from the US War Department’s ownership of sites such as land and buildings in Britain.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether financial benefits accrue to the United Kingdom from the US War Department’s ownership of sites such as land and buildings in Britain.
The continued presence of United States (US) military forces in the UK forms an important part of the US’ on-going wider commitment to NATO and the security of Europe. The US Department of War (DoW) does not own military sites, military land, or military buildings in Britian and therefore there is no associated financial benefit.
In accordance with the 1973 Cost Sharing Arrangement, the US DoW is responsible for bearing the cost for the operational running of the bases it occupies such as utilities, as well as any development in support of its forces at those locations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the sites the US War Department owns in the United Kingdom.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the sites the US War Department owns in the United Kingdom.
I can confirm the US War Department does not own any Defence sites in the United Kingdom.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry in the urgent question on 10 February 2026, if he will publish his Department's list of deliverables prior to the state visit conducted by the President of the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry in the urgent question on 10 February 2026, if he will publish his Department's list of deliverables prior to the state visit conducted by the President of the...
The deliverables for the State Visit were developed and negotiated through a comprehensive cross-Government process. Press releases detailing those deliverables can be found on gov.uk.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he had with Peter Mandelson, whilst he was the UK Ambassador to the United States, on Palantir, prior to the awarding of the contract with the Ministry of Defence.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he had with Peter Mandelson, whilst he was the UK Ambassador to the United States, on Palantir, prior to the awarding of the contract with the Ministry of Defence.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Jobs boost as UK set to build military aircraft for United States for first time in over fifty years, published on 18 September 2025, whether he can confirm that a firm contract has been...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Jobs boost as UK set to build military aircraft for United States for first time in over fifty years, published on 18 September 2025, whether he can confirm that a firm contract has been...
STS Aviation based at Birmingham airport are under contract from Boeing to undertake initial conversion of the first two USAF E-7 Wedgetail aircraft.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of adopting the US military’s business operators for national defence scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of adopting the US military’s business operators for national defence scheme.
The Ministry of Defence has no plans to recruit a dedicated cadre of former defence industry executives.
Nevertheless, the Department is conscious of the value that those with private sector experience can bring. This can be seen in the appointment in October last year of Rupert Pearce as the UK National Armaments Director (NAD), bringing over 40 years of experience across law, technology, telecommunications, energy, and venture capital. His track record of managing large-scale organisations, driving innovation and building international partnerships make him ideally suited to lead the transformation of how defence works with industry to deliver for the UK Armed Forces.
The commitment to recruiting individuals with a breadth of experience can also be seen in the current competition for a new Director General UK Defence Innovation, in which the Department is accepting applications from both within and outside the Civil Service.
Whether he is taking steps to increase the UK's level of military independence from the US.
Whether he is taking steps to increase the UK's level of military independence from the US.
The US remains the UK’s principal defence and security partner, and our co-operation on defence, nuclear capability and intelligence remains as close and effective as any anywhere in the world, keeping Britain safe in an increasingly dangerous environment. As close friends, we are not afraid to have difficult conversations when we need to. Friends turn up for each other, as we did for the US in Afghanistan, and friends are also honest with each other, as the Prime Minister has set out.
The US remains the UK’s principal defence and security partner, and our co-operation on defence, nuclear capability and intelligence remains as close and effective as any anywhere in the world, keeping Britain safe in an increasingly dangerous environment. As close friends, we are not afraid to have difficult conversations when we need to. Friends turn up for each other, as we did for the US in Afghanistan, and friends are also honest with each other, as the Prime Minister has set out.
The US remains the UK’s principal defence and security partner, and our co-operation on defence, nuclear capability and intelligence remains as close and effective as any anywhere in the world, keeping Britain safe in an increasingly dangerous environment. As close friends, we are not afraid to have difficult conversations when we need to. Friends turn up for each other, as we did for the US in Afghanistan, and friends are also honest with each other, as the Prime Minister has set out.
Whether he is taking steps to increase the UK's level of military independence from the US.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question; it comes from a point of view that is different from that of many people in this House and in the wider public. Our nuclear deterrent is operationally independent; the only person who can authorise its firing is the Prime Minister. It is a part of our security apparatus, which keeps us safe every single day, and has done for decades. As a Government, we are continuing to invest in our nuclear deterrent, just as we are investing in jobs and skills right across the country that keep us safe every single day. Our relationship with the United States is a key part of that, but we will also continue to invest in our relationships with our other allies, especially around Europe.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question; it comes from a point of view that is different from that of many people in this House and in the wider public. Our nuclear deterrent is operationally independent; the only person who can authorise its firing is the Prime Minister. It is a part of our security apparatus, which keeps us safe every single day, and has done for decades. As a Government, we are continuing to invest in our nuclear deterrent, just as we are investing in jobs and skills right across the country that keep us safe every single day. Our relationship with the United States is a key part of that, but we will also continue to invest in our relationships with our other allies, especially around Europe.
Will the Minister and the Secretary of State consider diverting defence spending away from programmes that do not truly protect the British people? Our nuclear deterrent now consumes nearly a third of the defence budget through Trident, a system that cannot be launched without US approval. In pursuing nuclear deterrence and mutually assured destruction, we have drained funding from conventional forces and neglected the diplomacy and development that actually prevents conflicts. Does the Minister believe that prioritising nuclear defence over reducing tensions, ending conflicts and promoting peace genuinely delivers security for our people, and if so, can he explain why?
There are thousands of US personnel stationed in Britain. Their presence here helps keep us safe, as well as protecting American interests. We will continue to work closely with our US allies—it is important to do so—and will continue to invest in deepening the security partnership with personnel based in the United Kingdom, to keep us safe in these more dangerous times.
There are thousands of US personnel stationed in Britain. Their presence here helps keep us safe, as well as protecting American interests. We will continue to work closely with our US allies—it is important to do so—and will continue to invest in deepening the security partnership with personnel based in the United Kingdom, to keep us safe in these more dangerous times.
In Bury St Edmunds, we have many US servicemen from Lakenheath who are living off-base. They are a huge asset and greatly welcome. Does the Minister agree that the US remains our most essential ally, and will he join me in expressing gratitude for the service of those brave US servicemen and women, who are so important for our security?
I am sorry that the shadow Minister missed my concluding remarks at the end of the Opposition day debate on the subject last week. Not once did he say why his Government started that deal; nor did he give details of the preparatory work that his Government were supposed to do to answer his own question. This deal secures the future of that UK-US base. We will continue working closely with our American allies to progress the deal, and will continue those conversations, but I am afraid that all the shadow Minister is asking for is more uncertainty. We are securing the future of that base; he is just talking it down.
I am sorry that the shadow Minister missed my concluding remarks at the end of the Opposition day debate on the subject last week. Not once did he say why his Government started that deal; nor did he give details of the preparatory work that his Government were supposed to do to answer his own question. This deal secures the future of that UK-US base. We will continue working closely with our American allies to progress the deal, and will continue those conversations, but I am afraid that all the shadow Minister is asking for is more uncertainty. We are securing the future of that base; he is just talking it down.
The Government now admit that they cannot ratify the Chagos treaty without first amending the UK-US agreement on Diego Garcia. Currently, that binding agreement requires Chagos to remain under UK sovereignty until at least 2036. Can the Minister confirm that if the United States does not agree to amend that agreement, the UK would be in breach of international law? More importantly, does this not mean that the Chagos giveaway deal is now dead in the water?
Sixteenth opposition day debate (part one). Motion that this House is opposed to the United Kingdom ceding sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory; believes that the United Kingdom should not give £34.7 billion to Mauritius when that money could be spent on the armed forces; further believes that the Diego Garcia British Military Base and Indian Ocean Territory Bill breaches the Exchange of notes constituting an agreement concerning the availability for defence purposes of the British Indian Ocean Territory, London, 30 December 1966 with the United States, as does the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, and therefore that the Government should not proceed with the Bill; and also believes that Parliament must approve any changes to the 1966 Exchange of notes through the process set out under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. Negatived on division (103 to 284).
Sixteenth opposition day debate (part one). Motion that this House is opposed to the United Kingdom ceding sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory; believes that the United Kingdom should not give £34.7 billion to Mauritius when that money could be spent on the armed forces; further believes that the...
What a terrible example of collective amnesia. In the entire debate, not a single Tory MP could say why they started the negotiations.
What a terrible example of collective amnesia. In the entire debate, not a single Tory MP could say why they started the negotiations.
I am happy to take interventions if Conservative MPs can start their intervention with the reason why their Government started the negotiations. If it is true, as the shadow Defence Secretary says, that this is a crazy deal, why did the Conservatives start it? If it is true that it...
I am happy to take interventions if Conservative MPs can start their intervention with the reason why their Government started the negotiations. If it is true, as the shadow Defence Secretary says, that this is a crazy deal, why did the Conservatives start it? If it is true that it...
It is a curious position to hold: the previous Conservative Government started negotiations because they wanted to act like a trade union. I think that is a poor example.
I was asked a number of important questions in the debate, and I am happy to reply to some of them, but...
It is a curious position to hold: the previous Conservative Government started negotiations because they wanted to act like a trade union. I think that is a poor example.
I was asked a number of important questions in the debate, and I am happy to reply to some of them, but...
The right hon. Gentleman nearly got to why the Conservatives started the negotiations. It did not quite hit my bar for an intervention, but I appreciate him giving it a good go.
The right hon. Gentleman nearly got to why the Conservatives started the negotiations. It did not quite hit my bar for an intervention, but I appreciate him giving it a good go.
Let me see if the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) can do any better.
Let me see if the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) can do any better.
Again, the hon. Gentleman did not quite hit my bar, but I am sure I will get a parliamentary question from him about it.
The Conservatives started the negotiations, I am afraid, and they want everyone to forget it. They want the public to forget it; they want their own MPs...
Again, the hon. Gentleman did not quite hit my bar, but I am sure I will get a parliamentary question from him about it.
The Conservatives started the negotiations, I am afraid, and they want everyone to forget it. They want the public to forget it; they want their own MPs...
Madam Deputy Speaker, I have been asked to finish early so that the shadow Cabinet can sit. I do want to ensure that I can get through as many questions as I can before those on the shadow Front Bench need to go and busy themselves in a meeting.
I will...
Madam Deputy Speaker, I have been asked to finish early so that the shadow Cabinet can sit. I do want to ensure that I can get through as many questions as I can before those on the shadow Front Bench need to go and busy themselves in a meeting.
I will...
No, I will not. The hon. Gentleman has a meeting to get to and I am trying to help him get there. [Interruption.] I think he should sit down and prepare for his next meeting.
The right hon. Member for Wetherby and Easingwold (Sir Alec Shelbrooke) was a good voice in...
No, I will not. The hon. Gentleman has a meeting to get to and I am trying to help him get there. [Interruption.] I think he should sit down and prepare for his next meeting.
The right hon. Member for Wetherby and Easingwold (Sir Alec Shelbrooke) was a good voice in...
I am very pro-Lukes generally speaking, but the hon. Member had 20 minutes in which to speak, and a few more interventions will not correct the quality of his speech.
I am very pro-Lukes generally speaking, but the hon. Member had 20 minutes in which to speak, and a few more interventions will not correct the quality of his speech.
To help the Front-Bench team get to their shadow Cabinet meeting, I will not read out the same points again. [Interruption.] The shadow Minister invites me to do that, so I will. We are talking about the unrestricted ability to
“control the storage of all goods, including but not limited to...
To help the Front-Bench team get to their shadow Cabinet meeting, I will not read out the same points again. [Interruption.] The shadow Minister invites me to do that, so I will. We are talking about the unrestricted ability to
“control the storage of all goods, including but not limited to...
Oh, go on then. The shadow Defence Secretary can be late for his meeting.
Oh, go on then. The shadow Defence Secretary can be late for his meeting.
I feel like I have to read out the point for a third time. It is no wonder the Conservatives could not conclude the deal. Annex 1 says that it is unrestricted ability to
“control the storage of all goods, including but not limited to fuels, weapons and other hazardous materials.”
We...
I feel like I have to read out the point for a third time. It is no wonder the Conservatives could not conclude the deal. Annex 1 says that it is unrestricted ability to
“control the storage of all goods, including but not limited to fuels, weapons and other hazardous materials.”
We...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on running costs for RAF (a) Menwith Hill, (b) Lakenheath and (c) Croughton in each of the last three years; and how much of the cost for each year has been reimbursed by the United States.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on running costs for RAF (a) Menwith Hill, (b) Lakenheath and (c) Croughton in each of the last three years; and how much of the cost for each year has been reimbursed by the United States.
The information requested is not centrally held, and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost. There is no one identified budget for three sites, the officials would have to go into each individual item of expenditure.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 45840 on RAF Lakenheath: Nuclear Weapons, when it first became policy for his Department to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at United States military bases in the United...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 45840 on RAF Lakenheath: Nuclear Weapons, when it first became policy for his Department to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at United States military bases in the United...
It has been UK policy for decades to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether agreements between the United States and United Kingdom on the presence of US military forces in Britain place restrictions on the ability of the US to deploy nuclear weapons in Britain.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether agreements between the United States and United Kingdom on the presence of US military forces in Britain place restrictions on the ability of the US to deploy nuclear weapons in Britain.
The terms, conditions and jurisdiction considerations that govern the US – and any other visiting NATO force permanently based in the UK – are enshrined in the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (1951), which is embedded into UK law by the Visiting Forces Act (1952). This is publicly available. It is longstanding UK policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether any...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether any...
As reiterated by the Prime Minister, we have seen excellent progress in US-led negotiations in recent weeks.
At the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris on 6 January, Leaders committed to work together to provide robust security guarantees and economic recovery support measures for Ukraine as part of any peace agreement. We are working closely with our US allies on the nature of these guarantees, and discussions remain ongoing.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the addition of the Grok chatbot alongside Google’s generative AI engine on every unclassified and classified network throughout the US Department of War on joint US-UK operations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the addition of the Grok chatbot alongside Google’s generative AI engine on every unclassified and classified network throughout the US Department of War on joint US-UK operations.
The US and UK remain steadfast allies and will continue to closely cooperate on a range of defence and security issues. But how the US Department of War manages the use of technology in their systems is a matter for them. The UK’s Defence AI Strategy recognises AI systems must be adopted to avoid falling behind adversaries, whilst mandating robust cybersecurity and safety measures for these systems. The MOD’s Joint Service Publication 936 mandates that AI systems deployed in UK defence environments must be safe, robust, and secure, must pass relevant assurance checks, and comply with the Government Cyber Security Standard and Secure By Design principles.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK’s ground-based air defence capability in the event of the UK having to operate without direct United States support.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK’s ground-based air defence capability in the event of the UK having to operate without direct United States support.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to modernising the UK's air and missile defence capabilities, including ground-based systems such as Sky Sabre, to ensure robust national resilience as highlighted in the Strategic Defence Review. UK capabilities provide sovereign nation capability and support interoperability with NATO allies and partners. These capabilities, integrated with NATO Allies defend our homeland and contribute to the strength of the NATO Alliance.
The Government has committed £1 billion to Integrated Air and Missile Defence in line with the Strategic Defence Review, ensuring investment is prioritised against evolving threats as part of the future Integrated Force. The allocation of investment and timelines for Integrated Air and Missile Defence spending will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
It would not be appropriate to state stockpile levels of munitions for reasons of national security, but these remain under continuous review to maintain operational readiness.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2025, to Question 98492, on F-35 Aircraft: Nuclear Weapons, whether a decision to (a) launch a US sovereign nuclear weapon from the UK's F-35A planes whilst on a particular NATO mission, or to (b) participate...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2025, to Question 98492, on F-35 Aircraft: Nuclear Weapons, whether a decision to (a) launch a US sovereign nuclear weapon from the UK's F-35A planes whilst on a particular NATO mission, or to (b) participate...
As with the answer given to the hon. Member on 15 December 2025 to Question 98492, I refer him to the answers I gave on 8 September and 11 November 2025 to Questions 70471 and 87345 respectively.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-08-29/70471
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-03/87345
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the viability of the purchase of F-35As as an expansion of the UK nuclear deterrent in the context of the US National Security Strategy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the viability of the purchase of F-35As as an expansion of the UK nuclear deterrent in the context of the US National Security Strategy.
The United Kingdom is purchasing at least 12 F-35A aircraft. The aircraft will allow the UK to participate in NATO's Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) nuclear mission. The nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO DCA nuclear mission are United States (US) nuclear weapons and the US retains control and custody over them.
NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept states that the strategic nuclear forces of the Alliance, particularly those of the US, are the supreme guarantee of the security of the Alliance.
The Government has no plans to expand the UK nuclear deterrent beyond our existing submarine-based system but continues to keep its nuclear posture under constant review in light of the international security environment and the actions of potential adversaries.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met his US counterpart to discuss the progress of the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met his US counterpart to discuss the progress of the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail programme.
The Secretary of State for Defence regularly speaks with his US counterpart to discuss critical bilateral topics. Defence ministers, service chiefs, and officials frequently engage with their US counterparts on the E-7 programme. Most recently, the Chief of the Air Staff discussed it with his US counterpart in November 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on UK defence companies working with the Office of Strategic Capital.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on UK defence companies working with the Office of Strategic Capital.
Defence Officials, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence, have engaged with US counterparts from the Office of Strategic Capital regarding strategic partnering, most recently in September 2025. Officials have discussed a number of topics, including UK defence industry, Trusted Capital, and opportunities for engagement.