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Written Question
Army: Reorganisation
Monday 6th December 2021

Asked by: Chris Loder (Conservative - West Dorset)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the future possibilities for British defence manufacture under the Future Soldier plan for the Army.

Answered by Jeremy Quin

As set out in DSIS there will be significant opportunities for UK Defence Manufacturers in meeting the requirements for enhanced Army Capabilities. Further information will be available on the publication of the Equipment Plan and Land Industrial Strategy.


Written Question
Military Aircraft: Helicopters
Friday 3rd December 2021

Asked by: Chris Loder (Conservative - West Dorset)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the potential number of jobs that will be created by the contract for the New Medium Helicopter.

Answered by Jeremy Quin

We expect the New Medium Helicopter Procurement to be the subject of Competition. However, at this stage I am not able to comment on the impact of the competition on economic activity or job numbers.


Written Question
Military Aircraft: Helicopters
Friday 3rd December 2021

Asked by: Chris Loder (Conservative - West Dorset)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential economic impact of the New Medium Helicopter contract on (a) the South West, (b) Dorset and (c) West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Jeremy Quin

We expect the New Medium Helicopter Procurement to be the subject of Competition. However, at this stage I am not able to comment on the impact of the competition on economic activity or job numbers.


Written Question
Mali: Peacekeeping Operations
Thursday 15th April 2021

Asked by: Chris Loder (Conservative - West Dorset)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the purpose is of the operations undertaken by the Light Dragoons Regiment in Mali.

Answered by James Heappey

UK Armed Forces, led by the Light Dragoons, joined the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, in December 2020. UK troops are fulfilling tasks mandated by the UN Security Council as a unit under UN command. In response to the Mission’s capability requirements, the UK task group is delivering a specialist reconnaissance capability for MINUSMA, improving the mission’s situational awareness and overall performance, particularly its ability to protect civilians. The UK contingent is enabling intelligence-led operations in support of the mission’s mandate, offering crucial support to the mission to better understand threats and to shape the mission’s response. The UK deployment to MINUSMA reflects our continued commitment to, and leadership in, multilateralism, and international peace and security. It also forms part of HMG’s wider efforts in Mali and the Sahel, alongside diplomatic and development activity in support of regional stability.


Written Question
Rifles Regiment
Thursday 15th April 2021

Asked by: Chris Loder (Conservative - West Dorset)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, what plans he has for The Rifles, the successor regiment of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment.

Answered by James Heappey

The Secretary of State set out his vision for the Armed Forces when he launched the Defence Command Paper "Defence in a Competitive Age" on 22 March 2021. As he made clear, a transformation such as this requires significant reorganisation of force structures.

The Army will therefore in the next several months refine and test the designs, capabilities and structure of Army units before more detailed announcements can be made. Future announcements will include the Reserve Forces 2030 review, which builds on the work already done on utilising our reserves to make sure the whole force is better integrated and more productive.

I can however in the interim confirm that, as the Defence Secretary said, 4th Battalion The Rifles, currently a Specialised Infantry Battalion, will be one of the four battalions which seeds the new Ranger Regiment, carrying through its historic character and ethos to the benefit of the new unit.


Written Question
Armed Forces: South West
Monday 7th December 2020

Asked by: Chris Loder (Conservative - West Dorset)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to expand the Armed Forces Employability Pathway in the South West.

Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)

There are no plans to expand the Pathway in the South West.

HQ South West continue to engage in regional Youth Outreach projects.