The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that no instructions have been issued to halt new defence procurement within the current financial year.
This clarification came in response to a written question from James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, on whether the MOD had implemented such measures.
Maria Eagle, Minister of State for Defence, provided a definitive response:
“The Department has not been told to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.”
This statement follows earlier discussions in Parliament about the state of defence procurement and the government’s commitment to sustaining investment in defence equipment and support.
The clarification addresses concerns about potential delays or interruptions in defence spending amidst broader economic pressures. It reinforces the government’s position that procurement activities will proceed as planned, ensuring the continuity of key defence projects and programmes.
The confirmation provides reassurance to stakeholders across the defence sector, highlighting the government’s commitment to maintaining its procurement schedule and supporting the UK’s operational and strategic capabilities.
We reportedly recently that, in a recent House of Lords debate, Defence Minister Lord Coaker addressed concerns over the decommissioning of military equipment and outlined the Government’s commitment to modernising the Armed Forces to meet future challenges.
Stressing the importance of unity in defence, he emphasised the shared goal of ensuring the best for the Armed Forces.
“We all want the best for our country and for our Armed Forces, and here there is no division between us,” Lord Coaker stated. He also paid tribute to the Armed Forces’ global contributions and acknowledged the bipartisan support for their efforts in Ukraine.
A Necessary Step?
Lord Coaker responded to questions from Baroness Goldie and Baroness Smith of Newnham regarding the rationale behind retiring ageing equipment such as landing platform docks, Type 23 frigates, and Chinook helicopters. He noted that these decisions were guided by advice from military chiefs.
“All of this has been backed by all the chiefs in the Ministry of Defence,” he said. “We are trying to accelerate the replacement of the Type 23 frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced, Type 26 anti-submarine ships.”
On landing platform docks, he added, “Neither ship had been to sea since 2023—indeed, HMS Bulwark had not since 2017.”
He explained that older systems, such as Watchkeeper drones and Puma helicopters, would be replaced with modern alternatives better suited to current and future conflicts. “If we do not support such decommissioning, we will have equipment that is 50, 60 or even 80 years old. That is ridiculous. You have to move on and take difficult decisions.”
Commitment to Future Capabilities
The Minister highlighted the forthcoming deployment of HMS Prince of Wales leading a carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific in 2025. “That is where the carrier will be next year, demonstrating hard power and defence diplomacy,” he remarked, framing the mission as a commitment to the international rules-based order and freedom of navigation.
He also reaffirmed the Government’s pledge to protect key programmes like the nuclear deterrent and the AUKUS partnership. “The nuclear deterrent and AUKUS will be protected. There might be better ways of doing both, but it will not be at the cost of the ability of those systems.”
Addressing concerns over defence procurement and its impact on UK industries, Lord Coaker said the Government aimed to build much of the new equipment domestically. “We hope that much of it will be built within the UK, across the whole of the UK, benefiting all the regions and nations.”
He acknowledged challenges posed by national insurance increases but reassured that these costs would not directly impact the Armed Forces.
“Of course, national insurance will have an impact on other firms as it will for all firms.”
Lord Coaker concluded by highlightig the need to adapt to modern threats. “The defence equipment plan before us seeks to decommission equipment that we believe is out of date. New equipment can be better placed to meet the threats we face: it is the wars of the future we need to fight, not the wars of the past.”
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Good, let’s keep it that way and now let’s get our army back to where it should always be.
This MoD comment and the Minister’s comments are pure crap, merely attempts at justifying yet more cuts to numbers and capability. The Ukraine did wonders using ageing Warsaw Pact tanks, artillery and planes against the first year of the Russian invasion. So why scrap serviceable landing ships and the Chinooks to save less than half a £billion? Or is this the prelude to disbanding the Royal Marines?
With the national debt approaching £2.8 trillion and the interest payments now about £9.8bn per month (about £108bn pa) hard decisions are indeed needed for other government spending departments, if we are to be able to deter a conventional war against Putin
I’m afraid that is the crux of it all. National debt is now so large that we cannot carry on borrowing without a plan to reduce spending or increase the tax take. Markets simply will not allow it.
All departments will be cut back, defence included. It will just happen a different way so the Government can carry on claiming X% of GDP is being spent. Expect more expenditure to be put on the MOD’s books from elsewhere.
There is a silver lining, or orange lining, in the form of Trump. I cannot believe I am saying that. He will certainly threaten NATO’s existence unless other member nations spend more.
The debt is a concern. UK has been borrowing every year since 2001 and in wisely issued a lot of index linked bonds when interest rates were low. But @ 30% of the debt is owed to the BOE which bought bonds during QE. In effect 30% of the debt doesn’t really exist and those bonds could simply be cancelled.
A major factor in the decision to cut the Albions was crewing difficulties. The QEs crew numbers have increased from the original numbers, adding to manpower pressures.
I would like to know exactly what is being done to accelerate the T26 build programme as Coaker claims.
“Lord Coaker concluded by highlighting the need to adapt to modern threats. “The defence equipment plan before us seeks to decommission equipment that we believe is out of date. New equipment can be better placed to meet the threats we face: it is the wars of the future we need to fight, not the wars of the past.”
Pure Twaddle.
Chinook. Carries personnel. One needs helicopters to carry troops. We now have less.
Puma. Carries personnel. One needs helicopters to carry troops. The RAF now have zero, so Chinook now picks up that task and cannot do other tasks as it is doing this one.
Waves. Refuel deployed vessels. Or is that out of date and they will refuel themselves via AI my Lord?
LPD. Land troops and vehicles via Landing craft. 8 of them. Bays have 1. Perhaps the RM should swim? Or flap their arms? Or is that also out of date?
Hercules. Deploys personnel and kit into places an A400 is not suited for. This “sunset” capability is so out of date Turkey have reportedly bought 12 of the ones we cut and which our AVM fought so hard to retain.
CVRT. So out of date it has been cut before its replacement is even in service. Funnily enough, the army needs recc assets.
AS90. Another sunset capability UKR is using to great effect.
And the story goes on and on and on.
You are in many cases replacing older equipment with none at all, for a time at least.
Is there no one in the Lords who can debunk this nonsense there and then?
Excellent summary DM. I eagerly look forward to a mass of new acquisition announcements in SDR 2025! Oh well maybe not.
Well said Daniele – the Group Speak crap regularly issued by those in charge of running down our defence capability needs calling out.
No holds on defence procurement?? Apart from mobile fires, GBAD, SHORAD, NMH, more Wedgetail, more Typhoon MRSS, etc…..
Is the opposite of artificial intelligence artificial stupidity ?
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