Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones in the armed forces.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) identifies a shift towards greater use of AI and autonomy as an immediate priority for Defence. It also highlights how lessons from Ukraine demonstrate that technological innovation is vital to stay ahead of our adversaries.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) implements this vision through specific, funded programmes. The Government is investing over £5 billion in autonomous systems over the next four years, including in a Hybrid Navy, uncrewed ground vehicles and new autonomous fighter jets capable of operating from land bases or aircraft carriers. The DIP also commits £1.8 billion to a Digital Targeting Web across all domains, and provides specific targeted investments in AI, including through Taskforce RAID, Project FRONTIER and Project ASGARD, to accelerate decision-making, improve targeting and integrate sensors, deciders and effectors across all domains. We have also established UK Defence Innovation, with a ringfenced budget of £1.6 billion over the next four years, to ensure we can fund the exploitation of emerging technology.