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Defence: Uncrewed Systems

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 9 September 2025UIN 70681

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 29 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what proportion of the new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre will be staffed by (a) military and (b) civilian personnel.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The Strategic Defence Review recommends that a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre (DUSC) should be established at Iinitial Operating Capability by February 2026, with centralised authority to accelerate the adoption of Uncrewed System technologies across all three Services. Cost, staffing, governance and basing options are currently under development in tandem with the Defence Investment Plan due to be published in the Autumn.

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