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 support Poland and Lithuania in preparations for a potential Russian attack and help NATO protect the West.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory, with NATO remaining the cornerstone of the UK's defence and security. This is reflected in our commitment to reach NATO's defence spending target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty makes clear that an armed attack against one NATO Ally is considered an attack against the entire NATO Alliance.
As the third-largest cash spender on defence in NATO, the UK contributes significantly towards the security of NATO's eastern flank, which includes Poland and Lithuania. This is demonstrated through rotational air policing, troop deployments, and joint exercises, including maritime surveillance in the Baltic region. NATO is a defensive alliance and does not seek confrontation with Russia, but Russia should understand that any attack on a NATO ally would be a grave miscalculation.
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 work with the USA to reduce Russian threat in both our home territories.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
As our closest defence and security partner, we engage and collaborate with the US regularly on a range of issues. We know Russia is conducting a campaign of hybrid attacks and sabotage across Europe. The UK does not seek confrontation with Russia, but we will continue to deter and contest activity that threatens Euro-Atlantic security.
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 in response to the threat from Russia, in the content of trends in levels of defence funding.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Defence Investment Plan, published earlier this year is the next step in delivering the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review to place defence on a stronger, more sustainable footing, backed by nearly £300 billion of investment over the next four years. This includes an additional £15 billion spending power, much of which will be used to invest in new areas of capability.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor are both fully committed to funding our nation's defence, including meeting our NATO commitment of 3.5% by 2035 and setting out an earlier 3% commitment at the next spending review.
We are investing in the capabilities needed to meet both current and future threats, including more than £3 billion in space capabilities, £2.5 billion in cyber capabilities, and £400 million to protect critical undersea infrastructure.
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 that more soldiers are trained in drone warfare.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Army is expanding drone warfare training through the Land Warfare Centre’s new Near Surface Warfare Wing. The Royal School of Artillery can now train 200 small Uncrewed Aircraft System operators annually, with further training delivered across the Field Army. Lessons from recent conflicts are also being incorporated into Army doctrine and training, enabling soldiers to operate drones effectively and respond to drone threats.
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 adequacy of the capability of the Royal Navy at responding to Russian incursions in British waters.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 10682.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-06-17/10682
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.