Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to advance the UK's preparedness in relation to modern drone warfare.

Within the UK, there is now a thriving drones, counter-drones and autonomous systems ecosystem which enables spiral development, flexibility and modularity. This demonstrates how the UK is taking several steps to employ modern drone technologies in offensive and defensive roles. The Department also continually considers and develops improvements to the Integrated Air and Missile Defence systems, and we recognise the significance of drone warfare in current conflicts. Our land-based counter-drone systems have been proven on operations in the Middle East, and RAF Typhoons are now equipped with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, a low-cost anti-drone weapon that has also seen operational use in the Middle East. Last November, the Government announced it had awarded a £316 million contract to MBDA UK to deliver the DragonFire counter-drone directed energy weapon to the Royal Navy.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Reviews recommendations, including on the milestones and timelines for delivery of low-cost one way effectors and further Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities, including counter-drone systems and electromagnetic warfare will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.