Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department plans to take to improve defence cooperation with Japan in the Indo-Pacific.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The Ministry of Defence will continue to strengthen our defence relationship with Japan via the commitments made under the Hiroshima Accord, the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The Carrier Strike Group's deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2025 will further strengthen UK and Japan defence cooperation.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the air defences of the Falkland Islands in the context of the recent procurement by Argentina of F-16 jets from Denmark.
Answered by Leo Docherty
We keep our defence posture in the South Atlantic under regular review to take account of the full range of developments. I am satisfied that the current military presence in the South Atlantic is at the appropriate level to ensure the defence of the Islands.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits to the UK defence industry of Armenia's withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Answered by James Heappey
On Thursday 22 February, Armenia froze their membership of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), stating that Russia had not fulfilled its security obligations towards Armenia. This does not yet represent a formal withdrawal from the organisation.
The UK recognises this decision as Armenia's sovereign right and will work with Euro-Atlantic allies to support Armenia in the face of Russian threats of retaliation.
The UK is a signatory of the OSCE arms embargo, and as such any benefits to UK defence industry must occur within the mandated restrictions. We will continue to work closely with Armenia to explore opportunities for closer cooperation.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential threat to the domestic security of NATO members of (a) the Russian Imperial Movement and (b) other GRU-affiliated groups.
Answered by James Heappey
The numerous efforts of the GRU and other Russian agencies to interfere in democratic elections and domestic disputes around the world are well documented. GRU officers deployed nerve agents in Salisbury, whilst cyber hacking and targeted assassinations emanate from the Russian state.
The Secretary of State for Defence will next meet with his NATO counterparts on 14 February at the NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels, where threats to NATO's interests will be discussed.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK's satellite communications capacity.
Answered by Alex Chalk
Current operational capacity demands are actively managed and assessed on a monthly basis to ensure that Defence’s requirements are continuously met. Future capacity needs are extensively modelled and subject to regular review, which informs the on-going SATCOM delivery programmes.
In formulating this response, it is assumed that ‘communications capacity’ refers to bandwidth.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to incorporate discussion of torture, sexual violence and other war crimes, crimes against humanity and other human rights violations in the military training provided to the Burma Army by the UK.
Answered by Mark Francois - Shadow Minister (Defence)
UK provision of Defence training to the Burma Army is limited to non combat related academic courses. English Language training is delivered in country by the British Council and a course entitled “Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context” (MDWSC) has also been provided. The MDWSC covers the UK model of democratic accountability, the importance of good governance in Defence and the significance of professionalism in a nation's Armed Forces. In the case of Burma, this includes the conduct and accountability of Service personnel and human rights issues.