Combat Air Capability Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Combat Air Capability

Lord Lucas Excerpts
Thursday 10th October 2024

(6 days, 15 hours ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Coaker Portrait Lord Coaker (Lab)
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The noble Lord knows that there have been problems with the training of pilots. That is partly the point of his question. The Government are looking at training and also at the recruitment and retention of all these particular skills, not just in respect of pilots but right across the Armed Forces. That is why this Government have launched a recruitment and retention review to see what we should do about it. Pilots will form an important part of that.

Lord Lucas Portrait Lord Lucas (Con)
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My Lords, given the drone capability we see daily in Ukraine, could not that be used to puncture people smugglers’ boats before they ever leave French shores?

Lord Coaker Portrait Lord Coaker (Lab)
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Well, I do not know about that, but the use of drones will of course become increasingly important. With respect to the noble Lord’s suggestion, I am sure that people have heard it and will consider it in due course.