Armed Forces: Uncrewed Systems
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Europe's largest drone testing centre opens in Swindon to boost defence innovation, published on 12 June 2026, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Armed Forces' drone fleet.
Answered by Luke Pollard
The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by the UK to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. As part of our response, in creating the Uncrewed Systems Centre, we recognise the importance of autonomous systems, building the systems and industrial base through which we can design, spiral develop and scale production of uncrewed and autonomous systems as part of our wider high-low mix. Decisions on our equipment requirements, including the Armed Forces drone fleet, will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
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