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Defence: Manufacturing Industries

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 20 July 2026UIN 18660

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his department is taking to increase the resilience of the UK's defence industrial base in support of NATO's long-term deterrence objectives.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The Government is strengthening the resilience of the UK defence industrial base through the Strategic Defence Review's NATO First commitment, supported by plans to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next Parliament and support NATO's ambition of 3.5% by 2035. Through the Defence Industrial Strategy and Defence Investment Plan, Defence will invest £298 billion over four years to improve industrial readiness, strengthen supply chains and increase industry's ability to scale production in response to emerging threats.

The Defence Supply Chain Capability Programme and Industrial Resilience Programme are further enhancing supply chain visibility, identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening collaboration with industry and Allies to ensure Defence can mobilise and sustain capability during times of crisis, supporting NATO's collective deterrence and defence.

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