21 Oct 19. Today the Home Office published its Counter Unmanned Aircraft Strategy, setting out how it will harness the benefits of drone technology to society and the economy, while protecting the public from malicious use.
Plans set out in the strategy include:
- A mobile counter-drone unit ready for deployment across the UK.
- Industry Action Group to encourage collaboration and drive progress on safety measures.
- UK to seek an international safety standard to enhance drone safety.
- New laws to give police additional powers to combat illegal drone use.
PWC has estimated that rising use of drones in business and public services could contribute £42bn to the UK economy by 2030, and see more than 600,000 related jobs.
ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said: “The strategy announced today by the Government rightly recognises the huge potential benefits of drone use to society and our national prosperity. There are also risks from malicious use of drones that must be addressed and this strategy recognises that industry engagement should be central to making sure that regulation is effective and proportionate.
“We welcome the Government’s intention to share more information on threats and vulnerabilities to help focus and encourage investment in the innovation and development that can make the UK a pioneer in this exciting market.”
Today ADS has published a policy paper on Counter Drone Technologies giving a detailed overview of risks from malicious drone use and technologies available to tackle it.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/840789/Counter-Unmanned_Aircraft_Strategy_Web_Accessible.pdf
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 14 October 2019
Ministry of Defence
Antisubmarine Warfare
103
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 22 October 2019
The Royal Navy continually reviews Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities. This will be enhanced by the introduction into service of the world-leading, cutting edge technology of the Type-26 ASW frigates and the continuing roll-out of the Astute class submarines. HMS ASTUTE, HMS AMBUSH and HMS ARTFUL are already in service, with HMS AUDACIOUS, HMS ANSON, HMS AGAMEMNON, and HMS AGINCOURT to follow.
The RAF P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft will also play an intrinsic role as part of an integrated force to enhance maritime security and anti-submarine warfare. It will be fully integrated with other Royal Navy and NATO ASW assets. RAF Lossiemouth is preparing to welcome nine P-8A aircraft from 2020. They will be integrated into a £132 million strategic support facility with capacity to support Joint Expeditionary Force allies.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 14 October 2019
Ministry of Defence
Bahrain: Military Bases
102
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding has been allocated to Royal Navy facilities in Bahrain since 2014.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 22 October 2019
The Royal Navy maintains a presence in the Kingdom of Bahrain to provide support for our deployed naval force in the Gulf, enabling our maritime security commitment for Bahrain, the wider region, and the global economy. This deployed force is supported by the UK National Support Facility (UK NSF). Since 2014, the money spent on this facility totals approximately £27 million.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 14 October 2019
Ministry of Defence
Defence: Industry
106
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has any plans to publish an updated Defence Industrial Strategy.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 21 October 2019
Our refreshed Defence Industrial Policy, published in December 2017, sets out our commitment to encouraging a thriving and globally competitive UK defence sector as an integral part of the Government’s overall Industrial Strategy. The Department continues to monitor the implementation and impact of our policies to ensure that our approach remains effective. This includes consideration of alternative approaches in specific areas, as we have already done in the National Shipbuilding and Combat Air sectors.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 15 October 2019
Ministry of Defence
Maritime Patrol Aircraft: Procurement
477
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost was of purchasing nine P-8 Poseidon military aircraft.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 21 October 2019
The current forecasted cost of procuring our fleet of nine P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft is £2,207 million, as reported in the Project Performance Summary Table in the Defence Equipment Plan 2018:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/788481/20190318-EP18_v3.pdf
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
[N]
Asked on: 15 October 2019
Ministry of Defence
Maritime Patrol Aircraft: Procurement
478
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Government’s announcement of 15 August 2019 that it would invest £3 billion in purchasing nine Boeing Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, what proportion of construction work for the nine aircraft will be carried out in the UK.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 21 October 2019
The RAF’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft is produced by Boeing at its production facilities in Seattle and is based on the 737-Next Generation civil airliner, the supply chain for which includes a range of UK manufacturing companies. Boeing estimates that around 5% of every P-8 aircraft produced globally is UK content. UK produced components are used in all P-8 aircraft, not just those ordered for the RAF, meaning that UK industry and manufacturers are involved with, and benefit from, every P-8 aircraft produced, including the one hundred or so aircraft already delivered and in-service worldwide.
Q
Asked by Sir Nicholas Soames
(Mid Sussex)
[N]
Asked on: 15 October 2019
Ministry of Defence
Warships: Procurement
396
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to place the order for the first fleet solid support ships; and how many of those ships he plans to order.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 21 October 2019
We anticipate that a design and build contract for the Fleet Solid Support ships will be awarded in 2020, for a class of up to three ships.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 14 October 2019
Ministry of Defence
Warships: Computer Software
91
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to prepare for the adoption of quantum computing onboard Royal Navy vessels.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 22 October 2019
The Royal Navy aspires to be an early adopter of quantum technology across multiple applications, including at sea. The Service is engaging with academia, industry and international partners while supporting and funding a number of Ministry of Defence research initiatives.