Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any additional defence contracts have been awarded for the procurement of anti-tank weapons for delivery to Ukraine.
Answered by James Heappey
No additional defence contracts have been awarded for the procurement of anti-tank weapons to Ukraine. The anti-tank weapons donated to Ukrainian Armed Forces have been taken from existing UK stocks.
We have now delivered 3,615 NLAWs (Next-Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapons Systems) and will shortly be starting the delivery of a small consignment of anti-tank javelin missiles as well.
We maintain the right to deliver bilateral support, including lethal and non-lethal defensive equipment, to a sovereign nation when requested in areas that will better help them defend themselves. We will continue to do that.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many anti-tank weapons the Government has already supplied to Ukraine; and whether the quantity of anti-tank weapons being sent can be increased.
Answered by James Heappey
We have now delivered 3,615 NLAWs (Next-Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon Systems) and will shortly be starting the delivery of a small consignment of anti-tank javelin missiles as well.
We maintain the right to deliver bilateral support, including lethal and non-lethal defensive equipment, to a sovereign nation when requested in areas that will better help them defend themselves. We will continue to do that.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy will be published.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh will be published early this year.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Northern Ireland will host the main national event for Armed Forces Day in the UK.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
I am delighted that there is a consistent demand to pay tribute to and recognise our excellent Armed Forces. It is also gratifying to see the continuing extent of Armed Forces Week activity across the country, and indeed in Northern Ireland itself, that sets out to celebrate our Armed Forces. Any town or city in the United Kingdom is welcome to apply to the Ministry of Defence to host the Armed Forces Day National Event; full details of how to do so are available on our Armed Forces Day website.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the use of the US C-Ram defence system in response to a recent drone attack on US troops at the Iraqi airport, what anti-missile defence capability the Government has against (a) drones and (b) longer range missiles.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The UK has several Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems and counter-missile capabilities for the Force Protection of UK personnel across the different domains of air, maritime and land. Whilst we are unable to comment specifically on the number and nature of the capabilities deployed for reasons of sensitivity and Force Protection, we can confirm they are all built around an ability to Detect, Track, Identify and Defeat drones operating with hostile intent in the vicinity of UK personnel and critical assets. Additionally, the Sky Sabre missile provides enduring, all weather, ground-based air defence; this will form the baseline for the future medium-range air defence capability and is being developed by the Army. In the maritime domain existing capabilities fitted to ships, such as short-range gun systems, as well as the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System and the Sea Ceptor and Sea Viper missiles, offer effective defence against medium and large drones and long-range missiles.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether former Army Reserve Soldiers who left the service prior to 2015 are entitled to an armed forces pension.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Prior to the introduction of Armed Forces Pension Scheme 15, service in the Reserve Forces (TA or Regular Reserve) was not classed as reckonable for pension purposes unless the individual was mobilised whereupon the mobilised, service would count towards a pension.
There are some exceptions. These include; Full Time Reserve Service and Additional Duties Commitments which are pensionable. Further explanations on the types of service which are now classed as pensionable can be found at the following link:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/819757/RFPSMMP146_your_pension_explained_version2.pdf
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of HMS Queen Elizabeth visiting Belfast lough.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Within Belfast Lough the docks and wharves within the commercial port area are suitable for berthing HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH.
While there are no current plans for HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH to visit Belfast, the Royal Navy continues to examine opportunities for such engagements around the UK.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which locations in Belfast lough are suitable for berthing HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Within Belfast Lough the docks and wharves within the commercial port area are suitable for berthing HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH.
While there are no current plans for HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH to visit Belfast, the Royal Navy continues to examine opportunities for such engagements around the UK.