House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Lyn Brown
(West Ham)
Asked on: 22 July 2019
Department for International Trade
Arms Trade: Trade Fairs
280323
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which Cabinet colleagues will attend the Defence and Security Equipment International 2019 event.
A
Answered by: Graham Stuart
Answered on: 31 July 2019
The Government ministers who will attend the Defence and Security Equipment International 2019 event have not yet been confirmed.
Q
Asked by Lyn Brown
(West Ham)
Asked on: 22 July 2019
Department for International Trade
Arms Trade: Trade Fairs
280324
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support the Government is providing to the Defence and Security Equipment International 2019; and if he will make a statement.
A
Answered by: Graham Stuart
Answered on: 31 July 2019
The Government provides a range of support to Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), including the provision of military assets and engagement by Government Ministers. The Department for International Trade’s Defence and Security Organisation invites a number of international delegates on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government including overseas ministers, senior Government officials and military staff. All invitations to overseas delegations follow a stringent process of scrutiny and approval involving both the Department for International Trade and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Q
Asked by Andrew Rosindell
(Romford)
Asked on: 22 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Mali: Peacekeeping Operations
280222
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which units of the British Army will be deployed to Mali on peacekeeping operations in the first troop rotation.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 29 July 2019
The Ministry of Defence is currently evaluating what unit and assets are best suited to the task required by the United Nation. This will be finalised in due course, prior to deployment in 2020. Further information can be found in the written statement made by the then Secretary of State for Defence (Penny Mordaunt) on 22 July 2019, (HCWS1779).
Q
Asked by Andrew Rosindell
(Romford)
Asked on: 22 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
280228
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the benefits of training F35 pilots in (a) the UK and (b) the US.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 29 July 2019
The UK took the opportunity to embed personnel with the US Marine Corps and jointly develop the operational capability of the F35-B Lightning aircraft. By taking this collaborative approach, the UK has been able to train its personnel in advance of establishing our own Lightning footprint in the UK.
In July this year, personnel returned from the US to establish the Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Marham to enable the UK to conduct its own training.
The UK continues to work closely with its allies to develop the F-35 programme to ensure freedom of action having initially exploited this collaborative route to training.
Q
Asked by Andrew Rosindell
(Romford)
Asked on: 22 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Military Aircraft
280229
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of developing hypersonic propulsion systems for military aircraft.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 29 July 2019
The next generation acquisition programme will deliver the capability required when Typhoon leaves RAF service. As part of the concept phase, a variety of concepts to deliver the required capability are being considered. These will include hypersonic weapon concepts as part of the next generation combat air system.
Q
Asked by Andrew Rosindell
(Romford)
Asked on: 22 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Bangladesh: Military Alliances
280226
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps she has taken to strengthen defence and security cooperation with Bangladesh.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 26 July 2019
The UK has strong ties with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, which we value and reinforce through regular defence engagement, exercises and training courses.
The Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary visited Islamabad in March 2019 for the annual DefenceCooperation Forum with Pakistan and regular dialogue continues at senior military level. The Pakistan National Defence University visited the UK earlier this year. Bangladesh also held a National Defence College visit.
Defence relations with Sri Lanka were significantly strengthened in 2019 by the appointment of a resident Defence Adviser.
HMS Dragon visited Karachi in February 2019 as part of Exercise AMAN, in which Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were also involved. HMS Montrose visited Colombo in April 2019 as part of her deployment in the Indian Ocean and conducted a short exercise with the Sri Lankan Navy.
In addition to bespoke training programmes, Bangladeshi and Pakistani cadets are attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2018-19, and there are members of the Royal College of Defence Studies from all three countries.
Q
Asked by Wera Hobhouse
(Bath)
Asked on: 22 July 2019
Department for International Trade
Arms Trade: Trade Fairs
280419
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether (a) the United Arab Emirates, (b) Kuwait, (c) Bahrain and (d) Egypt will be invited to send a delegation to the defence and security equipment international exhibition on 10 to 13 September.
A
Answered by: Graham Stuart
Answered on: 31 July 2019
The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Egypt have been invited to send delegations to the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition on 10 to 13 September.