22 Oct 21. Foreign Affairs Committee Evidence Session.
Foreign Affairs Committee examines security pact AUKUS
On 26 October, at 10.30 and 14.30, the Foreign Affairs Committee continues its inquiry into the tilt to the Indo-Pacific and the implementation of the Integrated Review. For this session, the Committee turns its attention to the newly-announced AUKUS security pact, which will see deepening security and defence cooperation between Australia, the UK, and the United States. The session will explore the ways in which the pact may be expanded, the UK’s role within the pact, and the impact it will have on security in the Indo-Pacific. The Committee will explore which opportunities and challenges the UK faces in deepening its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
The session is split into two parts, the first will be held at 10.30 and the second will take place at 14.30.
At 10.30 the Committee will speak to Professor Rory Medcalf, Head of the National Security College at the Australian National University. At 14.30 the Committee will resume its session, speaking to Dr Jack Holland, Associate Professor in International Relations / Security at the University of Leeds and Dr Sidharth Kaushal, Research Fellow, Sea Power at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).
26 October, 10.30:
- Professor Rory Medcalf – Head, National Security College, Crawford School of Public Policy
14.30:
- Dr Jack Holland – Associate Professor in International Relations / Security, University of Leeds
- Dr Sidharth Kaushal – Research Fellow, Sea Power, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
22 Oct 21. Defence Committee Evidence Session. MPs to question Secretary of State for Defence and Chief of Defence Staff on the UK Withdrawal from Afghanistan. On Tuesday 26 October, at 14.30, the Defence Committee will hold the first session in its inquiry into the Withdrawal from Afghanistan and will question both the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace MP, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter.
The sessions will likely cover the US and NATO decision to withdraw following the Doha agreement, the fall of the Afghan government and the evacuation from Kabul Airport. Questions may also cover the possibility of future terrorism and threats from Afghanistan and Government support for veterans’ mental health.
14.30, 26 October:
- Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence
- General Sir Nick Carter GCB CBE DSO ADC Gen, Chief of the Defence Staff
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Warships: Logistics
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 September 2021 to Question 51904, on Warships: Repairs and Maintenance, if he will outline the logistics supply chain responsible for transferring F-135 engines to Carrier Strike Group.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 21 October 2021
The manufacturer is responsible for transporting the engines to suitable hubs around the globe. Defence Support Chain Operations & Movements are then responsible for transporting the engine from the hub to the Carrier Strike Group.
Advanced Short-range Air-to-air Missile (ASRAAM): Procurement
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the ASRAAM Sustainment programme has entered service on the (a) Typhoons and (b) F-35 IIs.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 21 October 2021
The ASRAAM sustainment programme continues to be delivered within Complex Weapons Portfolio contract price. On current plans, the resultant ASRAAM Block 6 standard is due to enter service on Typhoon in 2022 and F-35 Lightning II in 2024.
HMS Queen Elizabeth: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK-operated F-35s are currently onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 20 October 2021
The UK has eight RAF F-35s onboard HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH.
Ministry of Defence: Research
Question for Ministry of Defence
Helicopters: Contracts for Services
Question for Ministry of Defence
Stephen Morgan
Labour
Portsmouth South
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to launch a competitive tender for the Army’s new medium lift helicopter.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 19 October 2021
Whilst no final decision has been taken, the Department’s expectation is that the procurement will be subject to a competition. Further information will be provided in due course.