Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's statement entitled Naval Base Infrastructure, published on 14 July 2026, what proportion of contracts awarded under Project Royal Oak are expected to be placed with UK based suppliers.

Project Royal Oak will deliver more than £26 billion of investment over the next decade to modernise His Majesty’s Naval Bases at Clyde, Devonport and Portsmouth. As the programme remains in its early stages, detailed commercial and contracting arrangements are still being developed. It is therefore not yet possible to forecast the proportion of contracts that will be awarded to UK-based suppliers.

The hon. Member will be aware of this Government’s commitment to a Back British approach to Defence. The Ministry of Defence will continue to work closely with industry to deliver Project Royal Oak, maximising economic opportunities across the United Kingdom while ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.