07 Mar 23. Report Publication: Special Relationships? The US, UK and NATO. The Defence Committee today publishes a report on the US, UK and NATO relationships, taking in the events since the publication of the Integrated Review.
Following the concerns raised as a result of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the unprovoked Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has underscored the importance of close collaboration on defence with the UK’s key allies. Russian actions have also given NATO a unity of purpose.
The report emphasises the importance of the UK’s relationship with the US, which “must not be taken for granted” and “requires regular engagement at multiple levels” within the defence and political spheres. In particular, the Committee calls on the UK Government to encourage the US to engage in the planning stage for any future operations that may impact on the UK.
The report concludes with concerns about the ability of Western governments and defence industry to procure and produce at pace the missiles and shells to help Ukraine. Support for Ukraine is vital, but the Committee concludes that, whilst Russian stockpiles are also being run down, other adversaries are able to maintain and even increase their own. The Committee warns that the “inability to replenish UK stockpiles therefore puts at risk not just our ability to resupply Ukraine but also to counter any threat to our own security”.
The report also welcomes the decision of Finland and Sweden to join NATO and calls on the Government to engage with interlocuters in Hungary and Türkiye to expedite ratification. The Committee also praises the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Forces (JEF) as a “force multiplier for both its constituent countries and NATO”. The report welcomes the Government’s push for increasing NATO efforts in the High North (of the North Atlantic and the Arctic) but calls on the Government to ensure that the UK has the personnel and capabilities required to play a leading role in the region.
Chair of the Defence Committee, Tobias Ellwood MP, said: “When it comes to defence, there is strength in numbers. The UK military is highly capable and world-leading but collaboration with allies is vital and only strengthens us further. The UK and the US’ Special Relationship is unparalleled in its depth and longevity and is mutually beneficial for both countries. In today’s report we call for close and continuing engagement with the US on defence and warn that the UK neglects this relationship at its peril. Beyond bilateral co-operation with the US, maintaining the UK’s place as a leading member of NATO is integral to the security of the nation and wider region. The decision to pull UK troops from Estonia risks sending the wrong message entirely. We should be turning towards our responsibilities not away from them. The Government must continue to advocate for the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO. A bigger NATO means a safer Europe, and the Government should work with intermediaries in Hungary and Turkiye to break the diplomatic deadlock. Throughout our inquiry we heard of the need for a shift towards the High North. The UK should work to ensure that NATO forces have the necessary personnel and capabilities to lead in the High North, with a focus on reinforcing the borders of Joint Expeditionary Force counterparts. However, to be a credible force the UK needs to ensure that it has the capabilities it needs — which means making sure that we have sufficient personnel, weapons, ammunition and equipment. We are concerned that it is taking so long to replenish UK stockpiles: both government and industry need to act. The Integrated Review Refresh and the budget need to show that the Government understands the importance of UK defence in an increasingly dangerous world.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine should be a wake-up call for the West. Safety, security and democracy are hard won and easily lost. A powerful, resilient Armed Forces, standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies overseas, is the best deterrent against aggression.”
06 Mar 23. Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems Inquiry Launched by Lords Committee. The House of Lords Special Inquiry Committee on Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems today (Monday 6 March) invites contributions to its inquiry into the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in weapon systems. The Committee will consider how to define ‘autonomous weapons systems’ and examine the concerns that have arisen about the ethics of these systems. It will also look into how these systems can be used safely and reliably, their benefits, their impact on the nature of armed conflict, and their compliance with international humanitarian law.
The questions which the inquiry will aim to cover include:
- How do you define autonomous weapon systems (AWS)?
- What are the challenges, risks, benefits and ethical concerns of AWS?
- What safeguards (technological, legal, procedural or otherwise) would be needed to ensure safe, reliable and AWS?
- Is existing International Humanitarian Law sufficient to regulate AWS?
- Are the Government’s current policies sufficient?
- What reforms are needed, nationally and internationally, and how likely are these to come to pass?
Lord Lisvane, Chair of the Committee on AI in Weapon Systems, said: “Artificial intelligence features in many areas of life, including armed conflict. One of the most controversial uses of AI in defence is the creation of autonomous weapon systems that can select and engage a target without the direct control or supervision of a human operator. Through our inquiry we plan to examine the concerns that have arisen about the ethics of these systems, what are the practicalities of their use, whether they risk escalating wars more quickly, and their compliance with international humanitarian law. Our work relies on the input of a wide range of individuals and is most effective when it is informed by as diverse a range of perspectives and experiences as possible. We are inviting all those with views on this pressing and critical issue, including both experts and non-experts to respond to our call for evidence by 10 April 2023.”
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Ukraine: Challenger Tanks
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Challenger 2 tanks his Department plans to donate to Ukraine.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 9 March 2023
As announced by the Defence Secretary on 16 January, we are providing 14 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks to Ukraine.
Ukraine: Challenger Tanks
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Tobias Ellwood
Conservative
Bournemouth East
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is providing logistical and maintenance assistance to Ukraine to support the donation of 14 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 9 March 2023
Equipment support and sustainment are integral parts of the accelerated package of support announced by the Defence Secretary on 16 January 2023.
As well as training the Armed Forces of Ukraine to maintain the tanks, our donation of Challenger 2 includes a crucial equipment support package to enable the Ukrainians to maintain and repair the tanks. This includes two Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicles (CRARRVs), designed to repair and recover damaged tanks on the battlefield.
Antitank Missiles
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the announcement made on 7 December 2022, what the total cost will be of the 500 Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon units of which his Department is due to take delivery in 2023.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 8 March 2023
In December 2022 the UK secured a £229 million contract for Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon (NLAW) systems. The contract was for several thousand units to be delivered to UK Armed Forces between 2024 and 2026 and followed an initial agreement for 500 NLAW units with an accelerated delivery in 2023. These 500 units are included in the overall contract cost of £229 million.
F-35 Aircraft
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 6 March 2023 to Question 156081 on F-35 aircraft, what the outcome is of the assessment of harmonic resonance in F135 power plant units undertaken by the Joint Program Office and UK authorities.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 9 March 2023
The matter remains under investigation but the probable outcome of the assessment of harmonic resonance is a modification to an engine component. This modification would be incorporated into all F135 engines across the global F-35 Lighting fleet.
Challenger Tanks
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 3 March 2023 to Question 155052, when the decision was made to allocate funding to for the integration of an Active Protection System onto the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank; and how much that funding is.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 8 March 2023
Funding for the integration of an Active Protection System onto the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank was provisioned alongside the approval of the Full Business Case in March 2021. It would be inappropriate to confirm the amount of funding allocated whilst commercial negotiations with the supplier are ongoing.
AWACS: Procurement
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department expects to (a) take delivery of its first E-7A Wedgetail aircraft and (b) achieve Initial Operating Capability.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 7 March 2023
The first E-7 Wedgetail is expected to be delivered to the Ministry of Defence in 2024, following completion of its flight test programme and initial certification activity. Initial Operating Capability will follow three to six months after delivery. Analysis to determine the exact timing of the E-7 Wedgetail Initial Operating capability is ongoing, and will be confirmed when the Full Business Case is submitted in mid-2023.
Ukraine: Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armoured vehicles his Department has committed to donating to Ukraine since February 2022.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 9 March 2023
In 2022 we donated more than 200 armoured vehicles to Ukraine. In January 2023, the Defence Secretary announced an accelerated package of support which included hundreds more armoured and protected vehicles including Bulldog and CVR(T).