MPs to examine role of Western military support in Ukraine conflict . On Tuesday 7 March, at 10.30, the Defence Committee will hold an evidence session questioning expert witnesses on the lessons policymakers and military leaders can learn from a year of conflict in Ukraine. MPs will explore how the conflict has unfolded over the last year, how it may progress in the coming weeks and months, and how Western military support has influenced the conflict so far. The Committee will hear from Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Chair, Centre for Defense Strategies and Distinguished Fellow at the Eurasia Institute, Atlantic Council, and Ed Arnold, Research Fellow for European Security at the Royal United Services Institute. They will discuss the prospects for the NATO alliance maintaining its unity on Ukraine, and whether Western nations are aligned on what a ‘good’ long-term outcome for Ukraine looks like.
Tuesday 7 March, 10.30:
- Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Chair, Centre for Defense Strategies and Distinguished Fellow, Eurasia Institute, Atlantic Council
- Ed Arnold, Research Fellow for European Security, Royal United Services Institute
Defence Committee to publish report on US, UK and NATO
The Defence Committee will publish its report on the US, UK and NATO at 00.01 Tuesday 7 March 2023.
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Future Combat Air System: Finance
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 27 February 2023 to Question 150406 on Future Combat Air System, what funding his Department has provided to UK companies involved in the Global Combat Air Programme as of 27 February 2023.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 2 March 2023
As of 27 February 2023, Ministry of Defence (MOD) has provided over £1.31 billion funding to UK industry, including on research and development, to support our future combat air capability. This is in addition to MOD’s internal investments and those made by industry.
Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2023 to Question 149390, on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, whether he plans to publish the update to the Integrated Review before the Spring Budget.
Answer
Mr Ben Wallace
Conservative
Wyre and Preston North
Commons
Answered on 2 March 2023
The IR Refresh is the responsibility of the Cabinet Office. The date of publication of the IR Refresh will be announced in due course and will align with the Spring Statement.
Arms Trade: Exports
Question for Department for Business and Trade
Ruth Cadbury
Labour
Brentford and Isleworth
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the press notice entitled New Defence Export Advocate appointed to drive UK defence exports, published on 25 January 2023, what the appointment process was for that role; and if she will make a statement.
Answer
Nigel Huddleston
Conservative
Mid Worcestershire
Commons
Answered on 2 March 2023
This Department recently announced that my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business and Trade had appointed my noble Friend Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton in a newly created role as the Defence Export Advocate. The appointment was made in-line with Cabinet Office Direct Appointment procedures. The Defence Export Advocate role requires an individual with credibility in international, political and military circles, and experience of working in defence and on UK defence policy. Lord Lancaster’s current role in the House of Lords and his previous experience as a Defence minister and as an active Brigadier in the Army Reserves provides him with this. Lord Lancaster will engage with industry leaders, ministers and other key players both in the UK and overseas to drive forward UK defence exports.
Boxer Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many engine types the Army’s Boxer vehicles are equipped with.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 2 March 2023
All British Army Boxer vehicles will be equipped with the same Rolls-Royce engine type.
Boxer Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Boxer Armoured Personnel Carriers built for the British Army are the same size as those built for the armies of (a) Germany and (b) the Netherlands.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 2 March 2023
All British Army Boxer vehicles are based on the same dimensions of the common base vehicle, which are shared with our partner Nations. Minor variations in overall dimensions between Nations occur due to the equipment integrated to the vehicle dependent on the role or capability being undertaken.
Ajax Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many complete Ajax turrets were built by Lockheed Martin between 1 December 2020 and 31 January 2023.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 2 March 2023
The number of AJAX hulls built between December 2020 and the end of January 2023 is 200. 66 turrets were built in the same period.
Military Aircraft: Helicopters
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 14 February 2023 to Question 141352 on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, when the decision was made that the H135 helicopters procured for Project MATCHA would not enter service.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 1 March 2023
In November 2022 a decision was made that the H135 aircraft for project MATCHA were not required for their procured role. A decision is yet to be made on whether the aircraft will remain in Defence.
Ukraine: Military Aid
Question for Ministry of Defence
Kenny MacAskill
Alba Party
East Lothian
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a list of companies that have been awarded contracts as part of the UK’s provision of military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion of that country in February 2022 and the amount of each contract.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 28 February 2023
A proportion of the UK’s military aid to Ukraine has been from existing stocks. Contracts planned with UK companies to replenish UK stockpiles will be published in the usual way once contractual negotiations are complete. However, a significant proportion of our lethal aid is procured overseas and for both operational and commercial reasons, the detail of these contracts will not be published.
Ukraine: Military Aid
Question for Ministry of Defence
Kenny MacAskill
Alba Party
East Lothian
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has met with BAE Systems since February 2022 to discuss UK military aid to Ukraine.
Answer
Mr Ben Wallace
Conservative
Wyre and Preston North
Commons
Answered on 28 February 2023
I met with BAE a number of times in 2022. This has included one to one meetings, wider group meetings, such as the Defence Suppliers Forum, and site visits. Support to Ukraine was discussed on most of these occasions including how the Ministry of Defence was supporting Ukraine directly, and how we can ensure our own industrial resilience in addition.
Ukraine: Military Aid
Question for Ministry of Defence
Kenny MacAskill
Alba Party
East Lothian
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total value is of military aid given to Ukraine by the UK since the Russian invasion of that country in February 2022.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 28 February 2023
The UK continues to pursue all avenues to meet critical Ukrainian requirements at the quantities and pace required. The total value of military aid and operational activity committed in support of Ukraine by the UK since February 2022 is now £2.4 billion, which includes a further uplift from the Treasury Reserves for additional training requirements.