Combat Air Capability Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Combat Air Capability

Lord Teverson Excerpts
Thursday 10th October 2024

(6 days, 13 hours ago)

Lords Chamber
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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.

Lord Teverson Portrait Lord Teverson (LD)
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My Lords, is the Minister confident that we can keep one Vanguard submarine at sea at all times, given the strain there is on crew and our loss of crew because of the increasingly long time each mission has to take because of maintenance of the rest of the fleet?

Lord Coaker Portrait Lord Coaker (Lab)
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This is a very important question and there should be no confusion here. The noble Lord is talking about the UK’s nuclear deterrent. That forms an important part of our deterrent. We are absolutely 100% certain that we will retain a constant at-sea nuclear deterrent presence. That needs to be heard from this Chamber and across the globe. There is no way that we will in any way allow our nuclear deterrent to be compromised. That needs to be heard loud and clear.