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Uncrewed Systems: Testing

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 July 2026UIN 14381

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the impact of approval timelines on the testing of uncrewed and autonomous systems.

Answered by Luke Pollard

Given the speed of technical innovation in uncrewed and autonomous systems, the MOD is mindful of the need to accelerate acquisition timelines, including approval timelines for testing.

The new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre in Swindon is taking a lead role in addressing regulation in the autonomy space, with the aim to establish a regulatory pathway for defence innovation which will help reduce timelines.

As part of our commitment to support SMEs and aid UK growth the MOD and QinetiQ, who operate MOD’s Test & Evaluation ranges, have introduced a Test & Evaluation Innovation Gateway to accelerate access and availability.

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