Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Akehurst this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 139 · Ministry of Defence
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of future UK production of the Patria 6x6 armoured vehicle on the economy; and when such production could begin.
The Department’s assessment of the Finnish led Common Armoured Vehicle System Programme and the suitability of its Patria 6x6 platform in meeting the UK’s Heavy Protected Mobility requirements is still underway. As such, it would be premature to comment o...
Whether his Department has assessed the potential effectiveness of using acoustic and ultrasound technology to detect drones.
Within the UK, there is now a thriving drones and autonomous systems ecosystem which enables spiral development, flexibility and modularity. The Department continually considers and develops improvements to the Integrated Air and Missile Defence systems a...
Whether his Department remains committed to the acquisition of 12 additional F-35A aircraft.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 10 June 2026 to Question 6574.
What the total value of financial penalties incurred by defence companies holding Ministry of Defence contracts has been as a result of delays, cost overruns, or non-delivery, broken down by (a) UK-owned companie
The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Whether he expects the proportion of the defence resource budget allocated to service and civilian staff pay to increase between now and 2029-30.
The balance of investment will be set out as part of the Defence Investment Plan. This will take into account the Strategic Defence Review recommendations to halt the decline of the Armed Forces and reduce civil service costs by 10% by 2030.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce delays and overspend in Ministry of Defence contracts awarded to foreign contractors.
The MOD reduces delays and overspend in contracts, including those with foreign suppliers, by applying strong, proactive contract management throughout the contract lifecycle. This includes clearly defining performance requirements and KPIs in contracts, ...
What the status is of the RAF E-7 Wedgetail AWACS programme.
At the end of May 2026, the Wedgetail programme saw the arrival of the first aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth where it will undergo its full ground and flight test programme. Aircraft two is due to commence test activities soon and modification of aircraft thr...
What assessment his Department has made on the impact of delays to the Defence Investment Plan, including funding for the Global Air Combat Programme, on UK defence-industrial co-operation with Italy and Japan.
This Government remains committed to strengthening sovereign industrial capability and modernising frontier industries. Ministers and senior officials engage regularly with industry stakeholders and Defence has continued to work with suppliers on the Glob...
What steps his Department is taking to ensure investment into the drone package for Ukraine helps generate sustained UK domestic industrial capacity.
At the most recent Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in April, the Defence Secretary announced the UK's largest-ever drone package for Ukraine, delivering at least 120,000 drones this year, with deliveries already underway.The majority of this investme...
What assessment he has made of whether the UK/EU–Ukraine Defence Innovation Corridor could help UK drone manufacturers benefiting from the Ukraine drone package to develop longer-term co-production and technology
The UK continues to assess the strategic landscape across Europe for opportunities that contribute to our collective defence and military industrial resilience. This has included officials meeting representatives of the UK/EU–Ukraine Defence Innovation Co...
What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the economic benefits from the Ukraine drone package are distributed across all regions of the United Kingdom, including the North East of England; and what
In April 2026, the Department announced the biggest ever drone package for Ukraine, delivering at least 120,000 drones for Ukraine this year. Most of this spending will be with UK companies, several of which were selected through open and fair competition...
What assessment he has made of the threat posed by hostile drone activity to UK critical national infrastructure, what steps his Department is taking to develop (a) drone jamming and (b) electronic signal disrupt
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 April 2026, to Question 125978.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-04-10/125978
Whether any Ministry of Defence procurement has been adversely impacted by delays in the delivery of USA-manufactured weapons as a result of the conflict in Iran.
While the conflict in Iran has resulted in changes to delivery schedules of some munitions, Ministry of Defence teams work continuously with US partners to assess and adapt procurement programmes to ensure support to operations. We cannot comment further ...
What milestones and timelines will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan for the delivery of Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities, including counter-drone systems and electromagnetic warfare.
Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Reviews recommendations, including on the milestones and timelines for delivery of Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities, including counter-drone systems and electromagnetic warfare will be set out in the fo...
What discussions his Department has had with UK (a) SMEs and (b) early-stage defence technology companies on developing (i) counter-drone and (ii) electronic warfare capabilities informed by lessons from Ukraine.
Procurement teams along with the National Armaments group routinely engage with Industry, including subject matter experts, to deliver the capability requirements of UK Armed Forces. These are informed by the current threat picture as well as lessons lear...
What funding has been allocated from the up to £1 billion announced for UK air and missile defence specifically to counter-drone technologies; and what proportion of that funding is directed toward industry-led i
Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Reviews recommendations, including the proposed distribution of the allocation for Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
With reference to the Answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 125978, what metrics his Department is using to assess the effectiveness of the learn and adapt cycle referenced in relation to lessons from Ukraine; and
His Majesty’s Government continually monitors and assesses the threats to the United Kingdom. Ukraine is demonstrating that the pace of the ‘learn and adapt’ cycle has accelerated exponentially. Capability concepts through acquisition to employment to cou...
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of an expanded role for the Joint Expeditionary Force in European security over the coming years.
The Joint Expeditionary Force strengthens NATO by operating actively, routinely, and rapidly in the Northern hemisphere. As the threat to Europe grows more acute, JEF activity has grown in scale and ambition. Ex TARASSIS, the JEF’s flagship 2025 exercise,...
With reference to answer HL12150, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Procurement Act 2023 on increasing the volume of Ministry of Defence-related work for the UK ship-building sector.
The Government recognises the importance of a sovereign shipbuilding sector for our national and economic security. The Cabinet Office recently announced further policy updates on the Procurement Act 2023, listing shipbuilding as a sector for priority pro...
Whether his Department plans to increase the proportion of Government ship-building contracts awarded to contractors manufacturing in UK shipyards.
The Government recognises the importance of a sovereign shipbuilding sector for our national and economic security. The Cabinet Office recently announced further policy updates on the Procurement Act 2023, listing shipbuilding as a sector for priority pro...