Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to expand defence-related apprenticeships.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence already supports over 460,000 jobs and 25,000 apprentices across the UK, providing sustainable, high-quality, well-paying jobs.
Alongside the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Defence announced a £182 million skills package that includes a range of initiatives to support defence-oriented careers and apprenticeships UK-wide. This includes initiatives such as establishing five Defence Technical Excellence colleges in England, and the creation of the Apprenticeship and Graduate Clearing System which will become live in due course.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the relevance of lessons from the war in Ukraine for addressing emerging security challenges in other regions, including the Middle East.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Secretary of State for Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine on the sharing of knowledge, including insights about drones, missile threats and electronic warfare, whose technologists and armed forces are constantly evolving capabilities to address a variety of threats from Russia.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Government of Ukraine on collaboration between government, universities and industry to support Ukraine’s long-term defence technological development.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
On 17 March 2026, the UK and Ukraine signed an enhanced security and defence industrial declaration, which strengthens collaboration between Ukrainian and British defence innovators.
The UK has delivered seven successful trade missions to Ukraine, bringing together UK industry and likeminded European partners to discuss opportunities for long-term cooperation and investment, and to promote greater collaboration with defence industrial companies inside Ukraine.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding has been allocated by his Department to programmes designed to incorporate lessons from the war in Ukraine into UK defence innovation since February 2022.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine and NATO partners on the sharing of knowledge and insights from the war in Ukraine, whose technologists and armed forces are constantly evolving capabilities to address a variety of threats from Russia. UK Defence Innovation is informed by lessons from Ukraine, sharing knowledge internationally through NATO DIANA and AUKUS Pillar 2.
Under Programme LYRA, we are informing future defence and security innovation with the Government of Ukraine, sharing what works and what doesn't.
We are building a sustained defence industrial partnership between the UK and Ukraine which will develop industrial capacity while supporting UK and Ukrainian security. The 100 Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine facilities the rapid pursuit of sustainable production to create a dynamic ecosystem of defence innovation.
We recognise that Ukraine's experience in defending itself against large-scale aggression represents a unique and valuable resource for the development of modern defence capabilities. We are committed to promoting the systematic integration of Ukraine's operational experience into military training, doctrinal development, and capability planning.
We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the relevance to the UK defence innovation ecosystem of Ukraine’s approach to rapid defence innovation during the ongoing conflict.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine and NATO partners on the sharing of knowledge and insights from the war in Ukraine, whose technologists and armed forces are constantly evolving capabilities to address a variety of threats from Russia. UK Defence Innovation is informed by lessons from Ukraine, sharing knowledge internationally through NATO DIANA and AUKUS Pillar 2.
Under Programme LYRA, we are informing future defence and security innovation with the Government of Ukraine, sharing what works and what doesn't.
We are building a sustained defence industrial partnership between the UK and Ukraine which will develop industrial capacity while supporting UK and Ukrainian security. The 100 Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine facilities the rapid pursuit of sustainable production to create a dynamic ecosystem of defence innovation.
We recognise that Ukraine's experience in defending itself against large-scale aggression represents a unique and valuable resource for the development of modern defence capabilities. We are committed to promoting the systematic integration of Ukraine's operational experience into military training, doctrinal development, and capability planning.
We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking with Ukraine and NATO allies to ensure that lessons from the war in Ukraine inform future cooperation on defence and security innovation.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine and NATO partners on the sharing of knowledge and insights from the war in Ukraine, whose technologists and armed forces are constantly evolving capabilities to address a variety of threats from Russia. UK Defence Innovation is informed by lessons from Ukraine, sharing knowledge internationally through NATO DIANA and AUKUS Pillar 2.
Under Programme LYRA, we are informing future defence and security innovation with the Government of Ukraine, sharing what works and what doesn't.
We are building a sustained defence industrial partnership between the UK and Ukraine which will develop industrial capacity while supporting UK and Ukrainian security. The 100 Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine facilities the rapid pursuit of sustainable production to create a dynamic ecosystem of defence innovation.
We recognise that Ukraine's experience in defending itself against large-scale aggression represents a unique and valuable resource for the development of modern defence capabilities. We are committed to promoting the systematic integration of Ukraine's operational experience into military training, doctrinal development, and capability planning.
We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what programmes his Department has established to incorporate lessons from the war in Ukraine into UK defence innovation.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine and NATO partners on the sharing of knowledge and insights from the war in Ukraine, whose technologists and armed forces are constantly evolving capabilities to address a variety of threats from Russia. UK Defence Innovation is informed by lessons from Ukraine, sharing knowledge internationally through NATO DIANA and AUKUS Pillar 2.
Under Programme LYRA, we are informing future defence and security innovation with the Government of Ukraine, sharing what works and what doesn't.
We are building a sustained defence industrial partnership between the UK and Ukraine which will develop industrial capacity while supporting UK and Ukrainian security. The 100 Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine facilities the rapid pursuit of sustainable production to create a dynamic ecosystem of defence innovation.
We recognise that Ukraine's experience in defending itself against large-scale aggression represents a unique and valuable resource for the development of modern defence capabilities. We are committed to promoting the systematic integration of Ukraine's operational experience into military training, doctrinal development, and capability planning.
We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which UK companies, universities or research institutions are participating in programmes designed to incorporate lessons from the war in Ukraine into defence innovation.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine and NATO partners on the sharing of knowledge and insights from the war in Ukraine, whose technologists and armed forces are constantly evolving capabilities to address a variety of threats from Russia. UK Defence Innovation is informed by lessons from Ukraine, sharing knowledge internationally through NATO DIANA and AUKUS Pillar 2.
Under Programme LYRA, we are informing future defence and security innovation with the Government of Ukraine, sharing what works and what doesn't.
We are building a sustained defence industrial partnership between the UK and Ukraine which will develop industrial capacity while supporting UK and Ukrainian security. The 100 Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine facilities the rapid pursuit of sustainable production to create a dynamic ecosystem of defence innovation.
We recognise that Ukraine's experience in defending itself against large-scale aggression represents a unique and valuable resource for the development of modern defence capabilities. We are committed to promoting the systematic integration of Ukraine's operational experience into military training, doctrinal development, and capability planning.
We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of operational lessons from the war in Ukraine for UK defence procurement and capability development.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of speed and technical innovation for UK defence procurement if we are to stay ahead of our adversaries.
The Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy reflect these lessons, setting out plans to overhaul acquisition. Our new segmented approach to procurement, supported by accelerated commercial pathways, is designed to enable programmes to get to contract faster.
Likewise, UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) is placing innovation at the heart of defence procurement. Backed by a ring-fenced budget, UKDI will ensure we are able to rapidly acquire the innovative technologies our Armed Forces need to keep pace with the changing nature of warfare.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support cooperation between British and Ukrainian defence industries in support of European and NATO security.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
On 17 March 2026, the UK and Ukraine signed an enhanced security and defence industrial declaration, strengthening collaboration between Ukrainian and British defence innovators and supporting wider security of the Euro-Atlantic region.
The UK has delivered seven successful trade missions to Ukraine, bringing together UK industry and likeminded European partners to discuss opportunities for long-term cooperation and investment, and to promote greater collaboration with defence industrial companies inside Ukraine.
Last year, we announced the UK will manufacture and jointly develop cutting-edge military equipment with Ukrainian industry through a groundbreaking new technology sharing agreement.