18 Mar 22. Defence Committee launches inquiry into aviation procurement. Today, the Defence Committee launches the first of two inquiries into aviation procurement, which will cover the RAF and the Naval and Army Air Arms, as well as both rotary and fixed wing assets. The Committee’s examination of aviation will complete the Committee’s series of inquiries examining procurement within the Services: “Obsolescent and outgunned: the British Army’s armoured vehicle capability” and “We’re going to need a bigger Navy”. This inquiry will focus on the strategic context, existing contracts and capabilities, and the impact of planned reductions to the fleet. The Committee will also explore the reasoning behind planned reductions to the existing fleet, including the early retirement of fleets and the scaling-back of commitments to purchase additional F35-B fighter aircraft. The inquiry will also address capacity, asking whether uplifted contracts for both rotary and fixed wing Military Flying Training will resolve this issue.
The deadline for submission of written evidence is Friday 6th May 2022. Full terms of reference can be found below.
A second, follow-on inquiry will examine proposals for future capabilities, including the Future Combat Air System and new medium-lift helicopter. It will consider whether the MoD has the requisite structures and expertise to robustly manage these significant investment programmes, and how it should seek to support a sustainable and thriving domestic aviation sector. Further details, including arrangements for submitting evidence on these topics, will be published at a later date.
Chair of the Defence Committee, Tobias Ellwood MP, said: “Following on from our examination of armoured fighting vehicles and the Naval fleet, the Committee is turning its attention to aviation. In this age of warfare, robust aviation capability is a core component of our Armed Forces and is essential to our readiness to respond to threats. The Royal Air Force is the world’s oldest independent air force and has, over the last century, played a crucial role in protecting and defending the UK.
We are standing at a critical juncture in our history. War is raging in Europe and investment in defence procurement is now more important than ever. This inquiry will assess our aviation capabilities and ask whether we are future-proofing our fleet. The early retirement of some aircrafts raises the possibility of gaps in our capability in the years ahead and there is continued uncertainty around the MoD’s intention to purchase additional F35-B Lightning fighter jets. We look forward to exploring these issues in our inquiry.”
The Committee welcomes written evidence on the following questions:
- Will the proposals set out in the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper deliver the aviation capabilities (fixed-wing and rotary), combat mass and interoperability required of UK Armed Forces, particularly in light of the changed security situation in Europe?
- What is the rationale behind, and what are the implications of, planned reductions to the existing fleet, including:
o Combat air, with the early retirement of Tranche 1 Typhoons and the apparent scaling-back of commitments to purchase additional F35-B fighter aircraft.
o Fleet mobility, with regard to the early retirement of the C-130J Hercules, and the removal of the Puma and older Chinook helicopters from service.
o Airborne early warning and control, with the early retirement of the E-3D Sentry and the decision to reduce the number of E – 7A Wedgetails entering service from 5 to 3.
- Will the uplifted contracts for both rotary and fixed wing Military Flying Training effectively and rapidly resolve capacity issues?
Form of written evidence: Submissions should be no longer than 3,000 words. The main body of any submission should use numbered paragraphs. Each submission should contain:
- a short summary, perhaps in bullet point form;
- a brief introduction about the person or organisation submitting evidence, for example explaining their area of expertise or experience;
- any factual information from which the Committee might be able to draw conclusions, or which could be put to other witnesses;
- any recommendations for action by the Government or others which the submitter would like the Committee to consider for inclusion in its report to the House.
Submissions should be in malleable format such as MS Word (not PDFs) with no use of colour or logos. Submissions should be arranged in numbered paragraphs.
Guidance on submitting written evidence and data protection information is available here: Guidance on submitting written evidence.
Deadline for submissions
The Committee is asking for initial written evidence to be submitted through the Committee’s web portal by Friday 6 May 2022.
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 2.7 of the report by the National Audit Office, The Ajax programme, published on 11 March 2022, whether his Department took steps after the Infrastructure and Projects Authority raised concerns about the size of the programme team in 2017.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 23 March 2022
From Quarter three of financial year 2016-17, there was a gradual increase to the Ajax Programme Team structure which saw seven posts added over the next year. As with any programme, the resource requirement will of course change over time to meet the complexity and demands of the programme. In 2019, following the recast of the contract, the team was reduced. The programme team structure has continued to evolve and, when necessary, increase. It now sits at its largest ever size.
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 9 of the NAO’s report entitled The Ajax Programme, which body is responsible for the Quarterly Programme reports; and for what reason those reports did not include reference to noise and vibration issues until March 2021.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 23 March 2022
The quarterly programme reports are prepared by the Army Programme Office on behalf of the SRO. It is normal for a programme to be dealing with and overcoming technical challenges such as noise and vibration in the demonstration phase. However, the Ajax noise and vibration safety review, published on 15 December 2021, found that safety risk was not being systemically managed within the Army trials, with ineffective risk escalation mechanisms. It found that from 2018 onwards, instances of noise and vibration were not reported through a single coherent system, potentially impeding the ability to investigate and build a trend-based picture of noise and vibration. We have accepted and are in the process of implementing the recommendations of the review aimed at ensuring this does not happen again.
Armed Forces: Protective Clothing
Question for Ministry of Defence
Rachael Maskell
Labour
York Central
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that all Armed Forces personal protective equipment can be provided to Ukraine.
This answer is the replacement for a previous holding answer.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 23 March 2022
We are committed to donating further quantities of personal protective equipment to Ukraine. This equipment is drawn from stockpiles and all options are being considered which do not adversely impact on the UK’s own reserves. To date, the UK has provided some 3,000 sets of body armour to Ukraine. We have also provided 2,000 helmets, 4,000 cold weather boots and 75,000 ear defenders. We continue to work with Allies and partners to prioritise and coordinate the provision and delivery of defensive aid in response to Ukrainian requests for assistance. We will continue to do all we can to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Ukraine: Military Aid
Question for Ministry of Defence
Lord Blencathra
Conservative
Life peer
Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to supply the Ukrainian Defence Forces with missiles capable of destroying Russian landing ships in the Black Sea off Odessa.
Answer
Baroness Goldie
Conservative
Life peer
Lords
Answered on 22 March 2022
The UK is working closely with Allies to continue to provide more lethal and non-lethal defensive equipment to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Defence has not received a request from Ukraine for missiles capable of destroying Russian landing ships. All requests are carefully considered and based on Ukraine’s needs.
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the eight posts within the Programme Management Office of the AJAX programme were vacant as of 16 March 2022.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 22 March 2022
The Ajax Programme team now sits at its largest ever size, currently consisting of 16 posts, of which one is vacant.
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 2.6 of the report by the National Audit Office, The Ajax programme, published on 11 March 2022, what assessment he has of the adequacy of allocating 10 per cent of the senior responsible officer’s time to the AJAX Armoured Fighting Vehicle programme in 2017.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 22 March 2022
In the light of the scope, scale and complexity of the programme, 10% of the Senior Responsible Owner’s (SRO’s) time in 2017 was clearly inadequate. After a time reallocation in the first quarter of 2018 the SRO’s time on Ajax increased to 30%. The current SRO is full time on Ajax with the only additional responsibility held being Head of Profession which accounts for on average 5% of his time.
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 2.6 of the report by the National Audit Office, The Ajax programme, published on 11 March 2022, what assessment he has of the adequacy of allocating 10 per cent of the senior responsible officer’s time to the AJAX Armoured Fighting Vehicle programme in 2017.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 22 March 2022
In the light of the scope, scale and complexity of the programme, 10% of the Senior Responsible Owner’s (SRO’s) time in 2017 was clearly inadequate. After a time reallocation in the first quarter of 2018 the SRO’s time on Ajax increased to 30%. The current SRO is full time on Ajax with the only additional responsibility held being Head of Profession which accounts for on average 5% of his time.
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether GDLS-UK has been given access to Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s safety assessment notices of the AJAX Armoured Fighting Vehicle since 2014.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 22 March 2022
The Defence and Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL) are contracted by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Delivery Teams to provide independent safety advice. As part of the safety management process DSTL staff have participated in the Ajax Hazard Working Groups and Ajax Safety Panels where they and other participants are able to raise their concerns for consideration by DE&S. As set out in the Ajax Health and Safety Report, the Department missed opportunities to act on safety and risk management across the programme, including the extent to which DSTL concerns were taken into account. MOD agreed with the conclusions made in the report and its recommendations. We are now working towards their implementation. This will be examined by the follow-on review into Ajax.
Type 45 Destroyers: Repairs and Maintenance
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Mark Francois
Conservative
Rayleigh and Wickford
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the Power Improvement Project for the Type 45 Destroyers; and if he will make a statement.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 21 March 2022
HMS DAUNTLESS is undergoing tests and harbour trials at Cammell Laird before embarking on sea trials. HMS DARING has now commenced the Power Improvement Project (PIP) conversion in Cammell Laird. In addition, HMS DRAGON has commenced her maintenance programme this month which will now include PIP, to be undertaken concurrently with her planned upkeep package and in parallel to HMS DARING. This will ensure that the PIP conversion programme is advanced as quickly as possible.
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to change the firm order commitment of the Ajax armoured fighting vehicle.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 21 March 2022
We continue to work to the firm price contract with General Dynamics UK in which they are required to deliver and support 589 Ajax vehicles.
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the AJAX programme, whether his Department has a fixed price contract with GDLS-UK for the (a) total contract and (b) demonstration and manufacture phases of that contract.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 21 March 2022
The Ministry of Defence has a firm price contract with General Dynamics UK for the delivery of 589 Ajax vehicles, including demonstration and manufacture.
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the senior responsible owners of the Ajax armoured vehicle programme since its inception.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 18 March 2022
Details of the personnel occupying positions within the Programme Management Office for the Ajax Programme are not released as they are individuals holding appointments below 1*.
Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) details can be found below.
Since the Main Gate Business Case baseline approval in 2014 there have been four Senior Responsible Owners for the Armoured Cavalry 25 (AC25) programme.
Prior to this, from 2010 (when Main Gate Business Case 1 was signed) to 2013, there were a further two SROs. This was when Ajax was part of firstly the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) programme and then the wider Mounted
Close Combat (MCC) portfolio.
October 2021 – Current Dr David Marsh (SRO AC25)
April 2019 – October 2021 Major General Simon Hamilton (SRO AC25)
November 2015 – April 2019 Major General Mark Gaunt (SRO AC25)October 2013 – November 2015 Major General Nick Pope (SRO MCC and then SRO AC25)
November 2011 – October 2013 Maj Gen Bruce Brealey (SRO MCC)
November 2008 – November 2011 Brig Mike Riddell-Webster (SRO FRES then SRO MCC)
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what qualifications are required for personnel to sit on the Ajax Programme Management Office.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 18 March 2022
The structure of the Ajax Programme Management Office follows the Project Delivery Framework for Project Delivery Professionals in Government set out at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/755783/PDCF.pdf(opens in a new tab).
The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) holds the Chartered Project Professional qualification (ChPP) and is a graduate of the Major Projects Leadership Academy.
The team consists of both Military and civilian staff. Individuals are recruited on the basis of their experience as well as formal qualifications. The SRO is taking steps to ensure that the team is appropriately structured and resourced to deliver the programme.
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether a formal contract has been awarded by his Department to (a) identify the root causes of the issues with the AJAX programme and (c) find a technical solution to those issues.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 18 March 2022
The noise and vibration issues on Ajax are being addressed by the Ministry of Defence within the firm price contract with General Dynamics UK for the delivery of the Ajax vehicles.
Warships: Procurement
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to use the security exemption offered under World Trade Organisation rules to exclude foreign companies from bids to construct and supply warships in the UK.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 18 March 2022
As warships are expressly excluded from the UK’s list of covered goods in the World Trade Organisation Government Procurement Agreement, the national security exemption in Article III of that Agreement is not engaged. In relation to the supply of warships, the applicability of the national security exemptions in the Public Contracts Regulations and the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations will be assessed on a case by case basis. This is in line with the Ministry of Defence shipbuilding policy set out in the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy.
Ukraine: Radicalism
Question for Ministry of Defence
Kenny MacAskill
Alba Party
East Lothian
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he has made an assessment of whether the Azov regiment in Ukraine’s armed forces is a neo-Nazi or other far-right force.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 17 March 2022
We understand that the Azov battalion has an ultra-nationalist background, with founding members espousing white nationalist and ultra-nationalist views, as well as endorsing some Anti-Semitic views. Since being made a part of the Ukrainian National Guard in 2014, the battalion has made some efforts to de-politicise. All founding members left the battalion and formed a political party. We also understand that the Azov Battalion currently employs Jewish members.
Shipping: Procurement
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many bids his Department received regarding the purchase of a Special Purpose Vessel for Navy X.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 17 March 2022
Following a tender process that resulted in several expressions of interest from the market, two tenders were submitted within the pricing envelope that delivered the technical requirement detailed for the Royal Navy.
Defence: Expenditure
Question for Ministry of Defence
Lord Taylor of Warwick
Non-affiliated
Life peer
Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase defence spending.
Answer
Baroness Goldie
Conservative
Life peer
Lords
Answered on 23 March 2022
The Government is clear that Defence should be led by our understanding of the threats it needs to counter. As such the Ministry of Defence keeps its spending under constant review and is analysing the implications of the increased threat that Russia now poses. Defence is coming into its second year of its four-year spending settlement, in which it has already secured an additional 16.5 billion of funding over the Spending Review period, marking the biggest investment in the Armed Forces since the Cold War.