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Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 11 July 2025UIN 65825

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many drones he plans to procure for the armed forces in this financial year by (a) reconnaissance, (b) logistics, (c) first-person view and (d) long-range one-way attack.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Strategic Defence Review recommends that an immediate priority for force transformation should be a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the UK's conventional forces. Uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Integrated Force in high numbers over the next five years as part of a 'high-low' mix of capabilities whether undersea, at sea, on land, or over land. Exact numbers and investment apportioned to these systems will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

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