Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of defence training exercises with allied nations.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK Armed Forces constantly reviews the effectiveness of its military exercises according to key metrics to ensure the activity is having the desired impact and improving force readiness, capability, interoperability with allies or deterrence messaging.
The UK continues to enhance the effectiveness of its training exercises with NATO and other allies across all domains, including air, land and maritime. Such examples include the ongoing Op FIRECREST Carrier Strike Group deployment in the High North, Exercise SEA BREEZE, a maritime countermeasures exercise with NATO allies, and the upcoming multinational air exercise COBRA WARRIOR Pt 2.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones in the armed forces.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) identifies a shift towards greater use of AI and autonomy as an immediate priority for Defence. It also highlights how lessons from Ukraine demonstrate that technological innovation is vital to stay ahead of our adversaries.
The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) implements this vision through specific, funded programmes. The Government is investing over £5 billion in autonomous systems over the next four years, including in a Hybrid Navy, uncrewed ground vehicles and new autonomous fighter jets capable of operating from land bases or aircraft carriers. The DIP also commits £1.8 billion to a Digital Targeting Web across all domains, and provides specific targeted investments in AI, including through Taskforce RAID, Project FRONTIER and Project ASGARD, to accelerate decision-making, improve targeting and integrate sensors, deciders and effectors across all domains. We have also established UK Defence Innovation, with a ringfenced budget of £1.6 billion over the next four years, to ensure we can fund the exploitation of emerging technology.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment has been made of the level of resilience of military infrastructure to climate change and natural disasters.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) assesses the resilience of military infrastructure to climate change and natural hazards through its ongoing risk assessment programme.
For military infrastructure, the MOD uses its published Climate Impact Risk Assessment Methodology (CIRAM) to assess climate-related risks across both the UK and overseas Defence estate and their potential impact on site operations, assets and personnel.
In addition, the MOD completed a Natural Hazards Assessment and Horizon Study in 2023 to strengthen its understanding of current and emerging risks to military infrastructure.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support is being provided to defence manufacturers to innovate and maintain global competitiveness.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Industrial Strategy promotes deeper collaboration with allies through co-research, co-development, and co-production, enabling UK firms to share costs, access larger markets, and deliver interoperable capabilities. It emphasises alignment with NATO standards and allied procurement approaches to facilitate exports and provides clearer long-term demand signals to give UK industry confidence to invest and innovate successfully alongside allied firms.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken to maintain the security of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
For reasons of national security, I cannot provide details of how we secure the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The UK’s nuclear deterrent is subject to a comprehensive security regime that is in turn subject to rigorous oversight and assurance, alongside independent regulation by the Defence Nuclear Security Regulator.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken to improve intelligence sharing between the armed forces and other security agencies.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Strategic Defence Review reaffirmed the importance of greater integration across Defence, the intelligence agencies and wider Government to deliver a coherent and integrated national security response to increasingly complex threats. The Military Intelligence Services (MIS) is a single intelligence enterprise across the Ministry of Defence, bringing together our entire intelligence capabilities and organisations to operate as a more integrated and effective force.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has been made of the level of threat from hostile state actors to the UK.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Government, including the Ministry of Defence, keeps the threat posed by hostile state actors under constant review through the intelligence and security agencies, military intelligence services and other national security partners.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the UK’s cyber defence capabilities.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Defence prioritises cyber security and regularly reviews its resilience through the GovAssure scheme. This process relies on the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) to assess risk and drive improvements in cyber security and resilience. We are committed to the delivery of our objectives under the publicly available Cyber Resilience Strategy for Defence.
This is reported to the Cabinet Office on an annual basis. Details of specific assessments are not shared publicly for security reasons.
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 ensure the safety of UK service personnel deployed overseas.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
We take the security of all our personnel deployed overseas seriously and robust measures are in place to protect our Armed Forces personnel. Their safety is our top priority. Although for operational security reasons the Department do not comment on specifics for this activity, the Ministry of Defence keeps the force protection measures of our Service personnel under constant review.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken to support veterans transitioning into civilian employment.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This government is fully committed to ensuring veterans and their families have access to the employment support they need. One of the key commitments in the Veterans’ Strategy is to ensure that the unique skills, experience and personal values of veterans are appreciated, understood and that they are provided with opportunities to contribute to our national security, our economy and our communities.
A range of programmes are in place to support those leaving service in finding fulfilling and sustainable careers which make full use of their unique skills and experience.
The Career Transition Partnership is the initial point of employment provision for those transitioning into civilian life, with assistance available for up to two years before and two years after leaving service. CTP provides holistic transition support to help Service leavers prepare for civilian life and employment.
The level of support provided depends on length of service and discharge category, with bespoke pathways for those with significant barriers to employment due to injury or illness. Eligible Service leavers may access resettlement leave, training grants, travel costs and specialist briefings.
For veterans who are more than two years post-service, as well as their families, additional support is provided through Op ASCEND. This initiative, which provides tailored employment support into sustainable civilian careers has already engaged with over 600 employers and 5,000 veterans and family members.