Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Defence Investment Plan will support the reduction of supply chain delays in the defence sector, including by addressing supply chain delays to the Challenger programme.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will help reduce supply chain delays by providing industry with greater certainty over future demand, enabling investment in skills, capacity and infrastructure. The DIP is supported by wider procurement reforms and supply chain resilience initiatives that will improve forecasting, strengthen critical industrial capabilities, and allow Defence and industry to identify and mitigate risks before they affect programme delivery.

As I have previously acknowledged, the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank has been impacted by some supply chain delays. However, the announcement of the DIP, including its commitment to completing Challenger 3, provides stability and certainty to industry working on the programme and will enable industry to sustain and invest in the people, skills, and materials needed to deliver the programme.