24 Feb 23. Defence Committee examines the impact of climate change on global defence & security.
On Tuesday morning, the Defence Committee will hold an evidence session for its inquiry into defence and climate change, questioning defence and security experts including Dr Tim Clack Director, Climate Change and (In)Security Project, University of Oxford, Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research (CHACR) and Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Dr Andrew R D Sharpe Director, CHACR.
The cross-party Committee are likely to examine topic areas including the risks and opportunities to defence and security driven by climate change, how the Armed Forces should adapt to tackle climate change, and the future role of Defence in providing Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA).
MPs are expected to explore which global regions are most likely to be affected by the impact of climate change over the coming decades and the strategic implications this may have for defence and security. The Committee will also examine the MoD’s response to the climate change challenge and how the Armed Forces will need to adapt to successfully tackle the climate change abroad.
Witnesses
10.30:
- Dr Tim Clack, Co-director, Climate Change and (In)security Project
- Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Dr Andrew Sharpe, Director, Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research (CHACR)
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Defence Equipment: Procurement
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 133552, tabled on 26 January 2023
Mr Mark Francois
Conservative
Rayleigh and Wickford Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Statement of 16 January 2023 on Ukraine: Update, Official Report columns 35 to 37, whether he plans to declare any of the systems intended for the British Army mentioned in the Statement as Urgent Operational Requirements.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 16 February 2023
Urgent Operational Requirements are now referred to as ‘Urgent Capability Requirements.’ There are currently no plans to declare any of the systems intended for the Army as Urgent Capability Requirements, however we are looking to accelerate delivery where appropriate.
Trident
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 149400, tabled on 21 February 2023
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason he has not published a 2022 update to Parliament on The United Kingdom’s future nuclear deterrent; and when he plans to publish that report.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on: 24 February 2023
The scheduled annual update to Parliament on the United Kingdom’s future nuclear deterrent is undergoing final clearance procedures and will be published in due course.
Army
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 148533, tabled on 20 February 2023
Derek Twigg
Labour
Halton
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Army will have a warfighting division of 10,000 troops.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 23 February 2023
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 127277 on 25 February 2022 to the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey). The British Army already has a warfighting Division, the 3rd (UK) Division, which has in excess of 10,000 troops
Army
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 146823, tabled on 17 February 2023
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what he expects to be the duration of Operation Mobilise.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 23 February 2023
Operation Mobilise is an acceleration of the most important parts of the ‘Future Soldier’ modernisation plan that was set out in 2021. It is also an articulation of the Army’s bold ambition for the NATO New Force Model, an increased focus on readiness and combined arms training and a broader institutional renewal that creates the culture required to win when called upon. This work is ongoing and will continue until the Chief of the General Staff considers that the core aims have been delivered.
Ajax Vehicles: Procurement
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 148546, tabled on 20 February 2023
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to resume payments to General Dynamics Land Systems UK as part of the Armoured Cavalry Programme.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 23 February 2023
Payments to General Dynamics Land Systems UK against the main Ajax contract have not resumed. Under the firm price contract no payments have been made since December 2020.
Future payments remain under review as the programme continues its positive trajectory.
Ukraine: Military Aid
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 148545, tabled on 20 February 2023
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department’s announcement of 15 February on the first package of funding awarded through the International Fund for Ukraine, how many bids were (a) received from and (b) approved for UK companies.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 23 February 2023
The first package of support to be funded through International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) is valued at over £200 m. It will include capabilities such as artillery ammunition, maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and spares (including for Ukraine’s current fleet of main battle tanks). It is not possible to provide further detail at this stage, due to ongoing commercial negotiations.
Ukraine: Defence Equipment
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 148532, tabled on 20 February 2023
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department’s announcement of 15 February on the first package of funding through the International Fund for Ukraine, if he will publish details of the equipment package Ukraine is due to receive.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 23 February 2023
The first package of support to be funded through International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) is valued at over £200 m. It will include capabilities such as artillery ammunition, maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and spares (including for Ukraine’s current fleet of main battle tanks). It is not possible to provide further detail at this stage, due to ongoing commercial negotiations.
Ajax Vehicles: Procurement
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 146821, tabled on 17 February 2023
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the budgeted milestone payments for the AJAX Armoured Fighting Vehicle contract were achieved in the last two years.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 22 February 2023
While details of the contract are commercially sensitive, milestone achievements and future payments remain under review as the programme continues its positive trajectory and we work to agree a new timetable for Ajax’s introduction into service.
Under the firm price contract no payments have been made since December 2020.
HMS Dreadnought
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 146822, tabled on 17 February 2023
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Dreadnought will be commissioned.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 22 February 2023
The commissioning date for HMS Dreadnought is yet to be determined. The programme remains on track for First of Class, HMS Dreadnought, to enter service in the early 2030s.