Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the defence technology export mechanism recently approved by the Government of Ukraine on UK defence companies; and what steps he is taking to support UK companies establish co-production arrangements with Ukrainian manufacturers under the mechanism.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence continues to identify and exploit defence and industrial collaboration opportunities with Ukraine. Under our 100-Year Partnership, we are establishing stronger and closer defence cooperation both on a governmental and industrial basis.
Through Programme LYRA, launched by the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy in June 2025, we have facilitated co-production arrangements, including the development of new, shared, intellectual property and cutting-edge capability. The recent update to Ukraine's export control regime, earlier this month is welcomed.
Under our 100-Year Partnership we will build an enduring alliance between our two countries and deliver maximum benefit for both the UK and Ukraine's long-term security and prosperity.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan published on 30 June 2026, what milestones have been set for the delivery of counter-drone and electromagnetic warfare capabilities.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The pace of technological innovation and development of uncrewed aerial systems means the threat is in a state of constant change. To keep pace with this rapid evolution of the threat, counter drone capability needs to focus on spiral development, flexibility and modularity, rather than on specific milestones for capability development. Within the UK, there is a thriving drones and autonomous systems ecosystem which enables our ability to meet the changing threat. There are a wide range of Electromagnetic Warfare capabilities in the current and planned force, across all domains. We do not release details of in service dates for individual capabilities and where it would compromise operational security to do.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the UK/EU-Ukraine Defence Innovation Corridor Parliamentary Roundtable held on 23 June 2026, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) procurement speed, (b) technology transfer between the UK and Ukraine and (c) SMEs.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, MOD Ministers and officials have maintained a continuous dialogue across government, the private sector, and with Ukrainian counterparts to enable UK industry to collaborate on and support Ukraine’s highest priorities.
The National Audit Office report in September 2024 on UK support to Ukraine recognised the speed, innovation and collaboration shown by MOD in equipping and supporting Ukraine. The changes we are making to our procurement rules are similarly increasing the speed of procurement for our own armed forces.
Our bilateral arrangements with Ukraine facilitate the exchange of battlefield technology, the co-development of cutting-edge military capability and the creation of new intellectual property, all of which will be reinforced by the UK defence business centre about to open in Kyiv to provide UK companies, particularly SMEs, greater access to Ukraine’s military challenges and Ukrainian industry.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Kyiv Business Centre will be fully operational; and if he will set how UK SMEs will be able to access its services.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence has now placed a contract with Audere Group to deliver the Kyiv Business Centre. Initial operating capability is expected in summer 2026, with the Centre moving to full operating capability later in the year, aligned with wider UK-Ukraine defence industry engagement and subject to the prevailing security and operational environment.
The Centre will provide UK defence companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, with access to secure working and meeting facilities in Kyiv, alongside support to understand Ukrainian requirements, identify opportunities, engage with Ukrainian government, military and industry stakeholders, and navigate local operating and compliance requirements.
Access will be managed through the delivery partner in coordination with the Ministry of Defence, and wider UK Government networks. The Department will communicate further details to industry as the Centre reaches initial operating capability, including through targeted engagement with UK companies and trade bodies, to ensure that SMEs are aware of the offer and able to participate on a fair and transparent basis.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department provides to Ukrainian defence technology companies seeking to establish production facilities in the UK, including through initiatives including the UK/EU-Ukraine Defence Innovation Corridor.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK is committed to deepening its defence industrial partnership with Ukraine, including by helping Ukrainian defence technology companies engage with UK industry, innovation networks, and potential routes to production, especially where these align with UK capability priorities and national security requirements.
The Ministry of Defence works across Government, including with the Department for Business and Trade, Task Force Kindred, DASA, Dstl and UK Defence Innovation, to connect Ukrainian companies with UK commercial, research, testing, and investment pathways. They also highlight trade opportunities, engage with Ukrainian government, military, and industry stakeholders, and support the navigation of operating and compliance requirements. Officials have engaged with representatives of the UK/EU-Ukraine Defence Innovation Corridor and provided advice on how that early-stage proposal could align with existing UK-Ukraine defence innovation activity.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to apply the Project Octopus model of manufacturing Ukrainian-designed systems in the UK to other capability areas, including electronic warfare and marine autonomy.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Project OCTOPUS is our first collaborative capability project with Ukraine under Programme LYRA, which the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy launched last June. Programme LYRA enables the bilateral exchange of battlefield technology and intellectual property between the UK and Ukraine, under which we will continue to collaborate with our Ukrainian partners to identify the most beneficial projects which support Ukraine's fight and stimulate industrial partnerships of mutual benefit.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made on the impact of delays to the Defence Investment Plan, including funding for the Global Air Combat Programme, on UK defence-industrial co-operation with Italy and Japan.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This Government remains committed to strengthening sovereign industrial capability and modernising frontier industries.
Ministers and senior officials engage regularly with industry stakeholders and Defence has continued to work with suppliers on the Global Combat Air Programme whilst developing the Defence Investment Plan.
The UK remains committed to the Global Combat Air Programme, working closely with our international partners to deliver a next generation combat air capability. On 14 June the Prime Minister confirmed that the UK Government would proceed with the next international contract for the Global Combat Air Programme by the end of June.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of future UK production of the Patria 6x6 armoured vehicle on the economy; and when such production could begin.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department’s assessment of the Finnish led Common Armoured Vehicle System Programme and the suitability of its Patria 6x6 platform in meeting the UK’s Heavy Protected Mobility requirements is still underway. As such, it would be premature to comment on potential economic outcomes and UK production timelines at this time.
Spending decisions on future capabilities will be published as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to reduce delays and overspend in Ministry of Defence contracts awarded to foreign contractors.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The MOD reduces delays and overspend in contracts, including those with foreign suppliers, by applying strong, proactive contract management throughout the contract lifecycle. This includes clearly defining performance requirements and KPIs in contracts, regularly monitoring supplier performance through reviews and progress reporting, and identifying early warning signs such as delays or cost pressures.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the status is of the RAF E-7 Wedgetail AWACS programme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
At the end of May 2026, the Wedgetail programme saw the arrival of the first aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth where it will undergo its full ground and flight test programme. Aircraft two is due to commence test activities soon and modification of aircraft three continues at STS Aviation in Birmingham.
The sustainment contract was signed in March, with activity now underway to ensure support systems and resources are available once the aircraft are in service. The infrastructure programme at RAF Lossiemouth is complete, with facilities fully delivered and training devices installed to enable force generation.