Air Defence Capabilities

Debate between Lord Alton of Liverpool and Lord Coaker

Thursday 9th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

We need an air defence system that is appropriate to our own country and our alliances, which is why we are seeking to build those alliances through a number of different projects. I very much take the view that there is an indivisibility of conflict. What happens in the Indo-Pacific affects us in Europe; what happens in Europe affects the Indo-Pacific. I have been to South America and heard the concerns there about what is happening in Europe. Wherever you go in the world, those who stand with us in the defence of freedom understand that there is an indivisibility of conflict, and that is what we need to stand for. It is really important for this country, and we should be one of the leaders of that.

[Lord Alton of Liverpool (CB)]

My Lords, I welcome the very strong approach the Minister adopts. Did he notice on 26 December that the People’s Republic of China announced two new aircraft, one a three-engine stealth bomber and the other described as a mother ship for drones? What account are we taking of the development of that fleet in terms of our own security? Also, PRC-originated academics were working on hypersonic programmes in British universities, in collaborative programmes. Are we convinced that that is no longer the case?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

The noble Lord knows the policy we have with respect to China in terms of co-operation, competing and challenging. He will also know that I believe very strongly that, as well as competing and co-operating, we need to challenge, whether that it is at home or abroad. Of course, we have looked at the implications for our own defence and that of our allies with respect to the development in China, but the noble Lord will also know that, across the world, the hard power of our country and that of our international allies, including the United States, will be reflected next year when the carrier strike group goes not only through the Mediterranean but into the Indo-Pacific. Part of that will be about asserting the rule of law.

Defence: 2.5% GDP Spending Commitment

Debate between Lord Alton of Liverpool and Lord Coaker

Thursday 14th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Alton of Liverpool (CB)]

My Lords, even in advance of the strategic defence review, the noble Lord, Lord Robertson, has made it clear that we face a deadly quartet of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. Yesterday we discussed with representatives of the Republic of Korea who were in London the opportunity of reaching some of the 10,000 North Korean soldiers now in Europe to fight in Putin’s war. Will we redouble our efforts to reach over the heads of the despotic leaders in North Korea to break the information blockade and encourage those soldiers to walk to freedom in the West?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

The noble Lord makes a very important point. I was in the Republic of Korea recently to talk about the importance of hybrid warfare and information wars. We must consider that fully when we get the defence review and ensure that our hybrid capability is a match for anybody’s. That involves trying to influence others opposing us at the present time.