Defence Equipment: Procurement
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with UK (a) SMEs and (b) early-stage defence technology companies on developing (i) counter-drone and (ii) electronic warfare capabilities informed by lessons from Ukraine.
Answered by Luke Pollard
Procurement teams along with the National Armaments group routinely engage with Industry, including subject matter experts, to deliver the capability requirements of UK Armed Forces. These are informed by the current threat picture as well as lessons learnt from Ukraine, which include the need for a faster 'learn and adapt' cycle to accelerate the development of capability, doctrine and tactics.
More broadly, the Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by the UK to meet prevailing challenges, threats, and opportunities. Work to deliver Strategic Defence Review's recommendations, including on Integrated Air and Missile Defence, drones and electromagnetic warfare will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
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