Defence Procurement 2024-03-25
2024-03-25
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Questions & Answers
Q1
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The effectiveness of the defence procurement system is under scrutiny.
What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the defence procurement system?
The Department uses a range of measures to assess the effectiveness of defence acquisition. We have reduced the average time taken to deliver our projects and programmes, but we must go further to drive pace, so last month I announced our new integrated procurement model.
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Q2
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The National Audit Office highlighted MOD pilot training procurement failures.
Is the RAF now meeting its pilot training quotas? Is the Minister satisfied with progress in that key area?
The hon. Gentleman asks a very important question. Of course, training is fundamental to bringing in the next generation to man our capability. I recently had the pleasure of visiting RAF Valley, where I discussed the issue with the RAF. It was able to confirm to me that, for the first time in a long time, there were more students taking up their places rather than in holds. That is a key metric in which we are seeing significant progress, but yes we want to go further.
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Q3
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The Government previously stated that the Ajax scheme would be ready between October 2028 and September 2029.
Given only 25% of armoured vehicles have been produced, are the Government on target to meet their deadline?
Yes.
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The answer does not provide any details about progress or timeline of the Ajax programme.
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Q4
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The Tata Steel plant in Port Talbot is considering cutting down its blast furnace capacity.
Will the Minister join a campaign to make in Britain, ensuring our industry and economy move together to support not just our defence, but our economy?
On the important question of steel, we do not expect the closure of Port Talbot to have a significant impact on defence, but obviously we will continue to monitor that situation. I would just gently point out that in 2022-23, the last year for which we have figures available, 89% of spend by the MOD with industry was with British industry. It will be an awful lot harder to make that level of spend if Labour is unable to commit to matching our spending commitments.
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The answer discusses general procurement figures rather than directly addressing the campaign request or steel industry impact.
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Q5
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The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the procurement of additional Chinooks.
Will he reassess where potential gaps might occur between old platforms being retired and new platforms being delayed?
My right hon. Friend makes an excellent point. He made a similar point in the debate on readiness last week about the importance of accommodation. I think we can all agree that there is a tendency in defence to focus on the big shiny platforms. Accommodation is a key priority; we are very committed to improving accommodation.
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The answer discusses housing procurement and accommodation rather than gaps between retiring old platforms and new ones coming online.
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Q6
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The MOD has confirmed the procurement of additional Chinooks, and RAF Odiham is a key site for this.
Can I have my hon. Friend's assurance that RAF Odiham will remain the home of the Chinook, and that there will be a similar level of maintenance of the new variants here?
I greatly enjoyed my visit to Odiham, where my hon. Friend and I discussed a wide variety of issues. He is right to draw attention to our commitment to the procurement of 14 extended-range Chinooks—they have a huge range, of 1,000 miles—but there is also the industrial benefit to the UK and, of course, to my hon. Friend's constituency.
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Q7
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There are ongoing efforts to remove hurdles in UK-Ukraine defence manufacturing cooperation.
Will my hon. Friend update the House on progress made with UK-Ukraine defence manufacturing co-operation?
My hon. Friend has championed this matter consistently. I am pleased to say that we held the first UK trade mission in December, and that there will be further such missions. I can confirm most importantly that, following that mission, UK defence companies and the Ukrainian Government have signed the following agreements.
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Q8
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The procurement process for the new medium-lift helicopter has been suboptimal, with costs increasing from £1 billion to £1.3 billion, delivery delays from 2025 to 2031, and a reduction in assets from 44 to 35.
Procurement of the new medium-lift helicopter has been characteristically suboptimal under the present Government, with costs growing from £1 billion to £1.3 billion, delivery forecasts delayed six years to 2031, and a reduction in assets from 44 to 35. Given that forecast delays are inevitable, service personnel will be under-resourced and the budget will grow. What confidence can anyone have in this Defence Procurement Minister?
I will take no lectures from the hon. Gentleman, whose party has been unable even to procure a ferry. I can confirm that at my insistence our competition for the new medium helicopter will involve a far greater emphasis both on supporting UK industry and on supporting exports.
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Assessment & feedback
The suboptimal procurement process of the new medium-lift helicopter was not directly addressed.
Attacking The Opposition'S Record
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