James Cartlidge MP: written questions 2025
2176 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Guided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100908More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his proposed timetable is for issuing contracts for Project Brakestop.
Answer: Multiple contracts have already been placed to develop prototype one-way effectors to meet Project BRAKESTOP's requirements.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100497More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many drones his Department plans to buy in (a) 2027, (b) 2028 and (c) 2029.
Answer: Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so it would be inappropriate t...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100496More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December, what percentage of the fundin
Answer: Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so it would be inappropriate t...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100495More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December, whether his Department has pl
Answer: This Government is investing in Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) to accelerate these capabilities into service, developing sovereign technology and systems to put the UK at the forefront of an emerging market and be an engine for growth. Directed energy was ...
Answered 24 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100494More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December, whether Defence Intelligence will be (a) absorbed, (b)
Answer: Defence Intelligence (DI) continues to exist as an organisation in its own right. DI, underpinned by a new charter will lead, cohere and improve the capabilities and activities of Military Intelligence Services.
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge, published on 12 December, when the new Military Intelligence Services will be ful
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has a current estimate for the Military Intelligence Services to reach Full Operating Capability during quarter 3 of 2026.
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Department has ownership of the Office for Small Business Growth.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 December 2025 to Question 96235. The Office will be owned by the National Armaments Director.
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the drones due to be bought by his Department in 2026 will be (a) reconnaissance, (b) logistics, (c) First-Person View and (d) long-range one-way attack drones.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100490More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of the drones his Department plans to buy in 2026 will be made by British companies.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100489More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many drones have been bought in 2025.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100488More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the drones bought by his Department in 2024 were (a) reconnaissance, (b) logistics, (c) First-Person View and (d) long-range one-way attack drones.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100487More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, what percentage of the 5,400 drones bought in 2024 were bought for use by the British armed
Answer: Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so it would be inappropriate t...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: UkraineMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100486More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of the drones bought by his Department in 2024 were supplied to Ukraine.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100485More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, what percentage of the 5,400 drones bought in 2024 were made by British companies.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100484More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, how many of the 5,400 drones bought in 2024 were bought after 5 July 2024.
Answer: Due to operational security considerations, it is important to guard against the threat of adversary data aggregation regarding the specific detailed breakdown of UK military capability, including platform numbers and types, so it would be inappropriate t...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100483More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, when he plans to launch the drone uncrewed centre of excellence.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100482More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, how many new staff will be employed as part of the drone uncrewed centre of excellence.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100481More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, where will the drone uncrewed centre of excellence be based.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100480More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, who will lead the drone uncrewed centre of excellence.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100479More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 15 December 2025, Official Report, Column 606, what is the total cost of establishing the drone uncrewed centre of excellence.
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan. Due to operational secu...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100363More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to respond to Question 97807 from the hon. Member for South Suffolk on Defence: Finance before the rise of the House on 18 December 2025.
Answer: I responded to the hon. Member on 19 December 2025.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS Lancaster: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99917More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether HMS Lancaster was deemed unfit to conduct a return journey to the United Kingdom for decommissioning.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him to Question 98839 on 19 December 2025 HMS Lancaster has exceeded the 18 years lifespan she was originally built for and, with almost 35 years of outstanding service, she has reached her planned out of servi...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordHMS Lancaster: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99916More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans are in place for transportation of the ordnance on board HMS Lancaster.
Answer: HMS Lancaster has exceeded the 18 years lifespan she was originally built for and, with almost 35 years of outstanding service, she has reached her planned out of service date. As is standard practice for decommissioning ships, any material or supplies on...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: SubmarinesMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99915More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to protect British waters from Russian submarines.
Answer: As the Strategic Defence Review outlines, there is a persistent and growing underwater threat to the UK and NATO from a modernising Russian submarine force. In response, the Ministry of Defence has announced Atlantic Bastion – the Royal Navy's programme c...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: Rules of EngagementMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99914More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has changed the Royal Navy's rules of engagements in light of the incursion by the Russian submarine Krasnodar.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 November 2025, to Question 93047. The Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence continuously assess our Rules of Engagement to ensure our Armed Forces can act appropriately against malign activities and ...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
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