In response to a written question from Labour MP Paula Barker regarding the government’s support for UK defence manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has outlined its commitment to strengthening the sector.
Barker asked what steps the government is taking to support UK defence manufacturing through procurement processes.
In her written response, Minister of State for Defence Maria Eagle highlighted the crucial role the UK’s defence manufacturing industry plays, not only in national security but also in economic growth. Eagle described the government’s dedication to bolstering the UK’s defence industrial base.
“The UK’s defence manufacturing industry is vital not only to our national security but to our prosperity and economic growth,” said Eagle, adding that the government will introduce a new Defence Industrial Strategy. “This Government is committed to developing a UK defence industrial base that is able to better support our own and allies’ security.”
The new Defence Industrial Strategy aims to “ensure a strong defence sector and resilient supply chains, across the whole of the UK.”
The previous iteration of the strategy, introduced in 2005, was designed to ensure that the UK Armed Forces received necessary equipment on time and at the best value for money, while maintaining key sovereign capabilities within UK defence companies.
The previous strategy was structured into three parts: it outlined the strategy, reviewed the UK defence industry, and described its implementation. This policy built upon earlier initiatives like the 2002 Defence Industrial Policy and the Strategic Defence Review of 1998.
Notably, it departed from the earlier competitive tendering models introduced during the Thatcher government, which had prioritised an open market. Instead, the 2005 DIS reintroduced the concept of “national champions” in key areas, ensuring that UK companies would retain the capability to produce vital defence equipment.
All orders placed ages ago.
What would strengthen it are some follow on orders!
But that requires money and that is all been spent on massive public sector pay rises that are massively inflation busting.
Meanwhile in MoD world pay rises are parsimonious and not pitched to stop the exodus. There must be a cost benefit analysis or increasing pay to reduce training costs – sorry that is long term thinking beyond a five year horizon – silly me…
The trouble is that the junior doctor strike was just going to go on and on and the only loser were the patients.
The junior doctors I have less problem with although I have a major problem with the activist and destructive BMA that all the junior doctors that I know share.
Pity the MoD allowed sole high explosive plant to close. The UK can no longer manufacture the filling for explosive shells and is totally reliant on imports from Europe and the USA. Shame on MoD permitting a strategic asset to cease operations.
This fantasy defence industry will no doubt be using Chinese virgin steel. Maybe Russian. How you can strengthen something by making its main ingredients overseas is another Labour lie.