22 Jul 22. Defence Committee announces publication of report on Defending Global Britain in a Competitive Age. The Defence Committee announces the publication of its report into the defence task and capability commitments in the Integrated Review, the Defence in a Competitive Age paper and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy. The report will be published on Thursday 28 July, with embargoed copies available the day before on Wednesday 27 July. If you are in receipt of this email you will automatically receive a copy.
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
NATO Innovation Fund
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits available to the UK from the new NATO Innovation Fund; and how the UK will be involved in the project.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 20 July 2022
The NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) will increase investment in UK deep tech dual-use technologies that support national security objectives and contribute towards the UK’s Integrated Review ambitions to be a science superpower. It will support UK security by helping to maintain NATO’s technological edge. The NIF complements the UK’s existing initiative in this space – the National Strategic Security Investment Fund (NSSIF) – and is expected to facilitate UK start-ups selling into European NATO allies given our expertise in this area. Participation in the Fund will also complement the UK’s role in DIANA, hosting the European HQ along with one of nine DIANA Accelerators. The UK will be a participating member of the NIF as a limited partner in the funds management, with voting rights over key decisions, and will contribute financially to the fund. The UK has offered itself as host to the headquarters of the Fund, but we await a final decision by the Managing Director once appointed.
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land: Contracts
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the potential number of UK-based jobs supported (a) directly and (b) indirectly by the contract awarded to Rheinmetall BAE Systems to provide post-design support services to the Army’s armoured vehicle fleet.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 20 July 2022
The new contract for Post-Design Support services to support the Army’s Armoured Vehicle fleet has not yet been awarded and I am therefore unable to comment on the potential number of UK jobs that the contract might support.
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the retirement dates are for the (a) Bulldog, (b) Warrior, (c) Challenger 2, (d) Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), (e) Titan, Trojan and Terrier, (f) Artillery System 90, (g) Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle and (h)…
Show full question
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 20 July 2022
The currently planned Out of Service Dates (OSD) are as follows:
Bulldog – 2030
Warrior – 2025
Challenger 2 – 2028
Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) – 2023
Titan and Trojan – 2040
Terrier – 2043
Artillery System 90 – 2030
Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle – 2040
Panther – 2037
Antitank Missiles: Procurement
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Tobias Ellwood
Conservative
Bournemouth East
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is taking steps to increase the levels of production of Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapons to ensure stocks remain stable.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 20 July 2022
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with our industrial partners to ensure that stocks of Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapons remain appropriate, and procurement activity to replenish is ongoing.
Ukraine: Military Aid
Question for Ministry of Defence
Rachael Maskell
Labour
York Central
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, the total cost of the support his Department has provided to Ukraine as of 13 June 2022.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 19 July 2022
The Government has committed £2.3 bn in military aid to Ukraine. £1.3 bn of this is provided by the HMT reserve – funds that the Government sets aside for the most pressing emergencies. The additional £1 bn of support announced by the Prime Minister will be funded from across Government Departments underspend.
Armed Forces: Parachuting
Question for Ministry of Defence
Dan Jarvis
Labour
Barnsley Central
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2022 to Question 33782 on Armed Forces: Parachuting, for what period HM Forces will be without the capability to low-level parachute once the Hercules goes out of service.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 20 July 2022
A low-level mass parachuting capability will be delivered in 2023.