Defence Industrial Strategy 2026-04-28
2026-04-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP inquired about discussions regarding [9D [K regarding the effectiveness of the UK's defence industrial strategy, focusi [6D [K focusing on how private investment is being leveraged to support it.
What discussions have you had with the Secretary [K of State for Defence on the effectiveness of the defence industrial strateg [7D [K strategy?
The Chancellor and the Defence Secretary meet regul [5D [K regularly to discuss defence, including the defence industrial strategy. Th [2D [K They recently met leaders from the UK financial sector to discuss how priva [5D [K private investment can be leveraged to accelerate defence readiness.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific effectiveness of the defence industrial [K strategy was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP highlighted the situation in his con [3D [K constituency where Chess Dynamics, a leading developer of counter-drone and [3D [K and air defence technology, has been awaiting clarity on the defence invest [6D [K investment plan. The company cannot proceed with commissioning new air defe [4D [K defence systems due to lack of certainty.
In my constituency, Chess Dynamics, part of Cohor [5D [K Cohort, is world-leading in developing counter-drone and air defence techno [6D [K technology but has been kept on hold since last year. Will you meet me and [K Chess Dynamics to provide clarity on the investment needed for new air defe [4D [K defence systems?
This Government is raising investment in defence to [2D [K to the highest sustained level since the cold war. Over a thousand contract [8D [K contracts have been signed, including a billion-pound contract for medium h [1D [K helicopters in Yeovil, half-a-billion pounds invested in radar systems, and [3D [K and £100 million boost for submarine-hunting aircraft.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific meeting with Chess Dynamics was not comm [4D [K committed to
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question arises from the context of int [3D [K international defence investment needs in the current geopolitical situatio [8D [K situation.
What consideration has my right hon. Friend given [5D [K given to joining the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank to make sure tha [3D [K that we are really pushing the investment that we need to see in defence in [2D [K in the current world situation?
The UK has already signed up, with Finland and the [K Netherlands, to the multilateral defence budget, with this Chancellor takin [5D [K taking a lead. I know the importance to this Government of security, which [K is not just something that we can achieve on our own but by working with al [2D [K allies to ensure that we are safer in future.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm if UK will join specifically the [K Defence, Security and Resilience Bank or provide details about joining this [4D [K this bank.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question arises from a criticism of the [3D [K the Chancellor for delaying the helicopter contract and blocking the defenc [6D [K defence investment plan, while increasing welfare spending.
The Chancellor said, “National security always co [2D [K comes first,” but she delayed the helicopter contract for our industrial ba [2D [K base and we know that she is blocking the defence investment plan. Labour's [8D [K Labour's former Defence Secretary and secretary general of NATO, Lord Rober [5D [K Robertson, said, “We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare b [1D [K budget.” He is right, so why is the Chancellor failing to grip the benefits [8D [K benefits bill and invest in our defence?
Those on the Opposition Front Bench have some cheek [5D [K cheek. The hon. Gentleman is sat next to the hon. Member for Central Devon [K (Sir Mel Stride), who oversaw the biggest increase in welfare spending on r [1D [K record, with a £33 billion increase in welfare spending in the last year of [2D [K of the Conservative Government. This Government are serious about getting p [1D [K people back into work, while increasing defence investment at the same time [4D [K time to 2.6% of GDP by next April—something the previous Government never m [1D [K managed.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a reason for delaying the helicop [7D [K helicopter contract or blocking the defence investment plan.
Attacking Opposition'S Credibility
Response accuracy