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Navy: Innovation

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 22955

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 39 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, whether he established options to enhance the mandate of the Defence Maritime Regulator to allow the Royal Navy and industry to use a dedicated regulatory sandbox to test and deploy new technologies by April 2026.

Answered by Ministry of Defence

Recommendation 39 of the Strategic Defence Review resulted in the development of several options for defence to consider regarding the utilisation of Uncrewed Surface Vessels. The Ministry of Defence is now working to implement the recommended option across procurement, operating and regulating bodies within the department.

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