Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Select Committee session on the Defence Investment Plan on 7 July 2026, what assessment his Department has made of the capability gaps that will remain during the period before the Defence Investment Plan is fully delivered.

We inherited a number of capability gaps when we took office in 2024. As the previous Minister for Defence Procurement, I am certain he will be familiar with them.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) reinforces critical UK Defence capability, maintaining current capabilities while investing in emerging technology to counter rapidly developing threats. It increases the Armed Forces' ability to deter and, if required, fight and win. This includes the Hybrid Navy, investment in Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates to replace Type 23s, uncrewed and autonomous systems, and Collaborative Combat Aircraft to bolster our Combat Air force and Precision Strike Missiles to increase Army lethality.

The MOD employs a rigorous approach to identify and mitigate risks arising from changes in the threat picture or gaps in defence capability. This ensures the coherent delivery of defence's strategic and operational objectives, both as a sovereign nation and with allies and partners. The details of those audits are not made public as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.