17 Nov 16. Defence Committee – Informal note.
Two reports next week:
1. Naval Procurement (the Type 26 and general purpose frigates and the Type 45 destroyer refits) published just ahead of the National Shipbuilding Strategy. Published 00.01 Monday 21 Nov. Embargoes sent to you tomorrow. This comes just ahead of MOD’s National Shipbuilding Strategy which is expected just after Autumn Statement.
2. Exposing the Walter Mittys. This is the report into the Awards for Valour Protection Bill. This looks to make it a criminal offence to wear Service Medals which you have not earned or qualified for. Cases of “Walter Mittys” passing themselves off as war heroes. It’s a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Gareth Johnson MP, due to have its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Friday 25 November. Our report is 00.01hrs Tuesday 22Nov with embargoes sent to you on Monday.
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Diana Johnson
(Kingston upon Hull North)
Asked on: 08 November 2016
Ministry of Defence
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
52449
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to ensure sovereign capacity in the UK for the construction of future sixth-generation jet fighters.
A
Answered by: Harriett Baldwin
Answered on: 16 November 2016
The 2012 National Security through Technology White Paper (CM8278) explains the Government’s approach to Defence procurement, including the circumstances in which we take action to protect our operational advantage and freedom of action. The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (CM9161) reiterated the Government’s commitment to this approach and identified the need to adopt a more vigilant and systematic approach to managing critical supply chains.
The F35B Lightning II will deliver a potent fifth generation fighter capability for our Armed Forces. The UK has now been established as a maintenance and repair hub for all European F-35s. Together with UK industry’s 15 per cent share by value of the manufacture of more than 3,000 planned aircraft, this will sustain thousands of high-quality UK jobs into the 2040s.
The UK has been chosen by the United States to become a global hub for maintenance and support services for the F35 programme. The initial contracts will generate hundreds of millions of pounds of revenue, supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs, including in Wales.
It is too early to take decisions on what might constitute any Future Combat Air System (FCAS), but through the FCAS Technology Initiative we are working in partnership with UK defence industry and our closest allies to develop key technologies while also sustaining the UK industrial base.
This technology initiative is built around a national programme of activities to maintain and enhance the UK’s position as a global leader in combat air technologies. It also includes programmes to develop an advanced unmanned combat air system demonstrator in partnership with France and bilateral projects with the United States.
Q
Asked by Wayne David
(Caerphilly)
[N]
Asked on: 11 November 2016
Ministry of Defence
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
52582
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timetable is for the full order of Ajax armoured vehicles to be delivered to the British Army.
A
Answered by: Harriett Baldwin
Answered on: 16 November 2016
The first vehicles from the AJAX fleet will be delivered to the British Army in April 2017, with deliveries scheduled to be complete in 2025.