Project HORUS is supporting an urgent operational requirement, and the Ministry of Defence will not specify the platforms involved, the length of the contract or the timing of a procurement decision in order to protect operational advantage, according to an answer given in Parliament.
Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative member for Huntingdon, tabled three questions on the project, asking what platforms are being used by the Royal Navy under Project HORUS, what the length is of the contract for the capability provided, and by when a procurement decision will be made to replace the capability currently under contract.
Luke Pollard, the Minister of State for Defence, gave the same answer to all three: “Project HORUS is supporting an urgent operational requirement and so the MoD would not wish to specify specific platforms or procurement decisions at this stage, so as to protect operational advantage.”
An urgent operational requirement is the mechanism Britain’s forces use to buy equipment outside the normal procurement cycle when an operation needs a capability quickly, and it carries its own funding route and an abbreviated approvals process. Equipment bought that way is usually in service within months, and the mechanism was used heavily during Iraq and Afghanistan for protected vehicles, counter-explosive equipment and surveillance systems.
I’m not surprised it’s urgent. The war which sparked the race for drones started 4 years ago.
They do not even know what they want and there is no software to control complex drone warships, ROE management etc.
Nothing has been even developed to be tested at that level.
It will be late, over budget and wont work properly.
MOD procurement will ensure all of the above
The word bullshit comes to mind..Every other programme ever has been news from the day of the the plan being announced. More covering up is the truth.
Not true. I can think of one missile system which was in use operationally with little to no public knowledge of it.
Aye, and there was the whole sudden appearance of the Rapid Sentry air defence system during the war in the Middle East, as well.
There are many many defence projects and equipment and capabilities that are not public knowledge Geoff.
A 2000t drone ship? please tell…
No Alex. Not a 2000ton drone warship.
Well that is the subject, or are telling me that the Drone Royal Navy is not supposed to be able navigate in the North Atlantic?
Which?
In my experience in the Armed Forces. Kit and capabilities become available very quickly when the need arises. I’m not talking about a sercet fleet of warships. But we have equipment and capabilities that are very much kept under wraps, for obvious reasons. And elements of the hybrid Navy concept will also be kept under wraps as its developed. It’s a 10 year project. We will hear about key developments, but plenty we won’t hear about. The Russians and Chinese don’t make everything public for people to comment on in forums like this. We are fortunate in the UK so much defence news is made public.
Geoff, just because you’re paranoid … it doesn’t mean that they’re not out to get you!
Who? Me? What you trying to say? 🤔😊
So in other words after the government making announcement that that the RN wouldn’t be getting any new ship’s like Type 83 ect . It’s now looking like no drone platforms either . I don’t know one couldn’t make it up .
Only you has made that up. The hybrid Navy concept is a 10 year project.
Some how I think the government would out score me on making things up . Just look at the change of heart by the other defence Secretary John Healy no 3% left the job .Now back in government under a different PM .Any sign of 3% .Although he’s no longer Defence Secretary but still 🕵
… you did.
You and I have a similar problem on UKDJ Andrew. The question I think people should be asking is do they trust Westminster politicians. I have seen very little from the likes of Sunak and only bad news from the current government. Is it any wonder that we both question whether programmes will progress?
I cannot understand why our armed forces cannot keep quiet on what this country has or hasn’t got,
I am amazed that politicians are still not spending enough on equipment for the UK armed forces.
Why should the UK keep being involved in other countries war’s.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe that Ukraine has every right to ask for help from all countries in Europe,
And I believe we have a right to help Ukraine with all kinds of money and weapons,
What annoys me is the useless President of the useless stupid arse-hole yank called Trump, 😤
He is the most obnoxious piece of garbage to walk around in this world, just like Puking Putin and his miniature dwarf Kim Yong all three should be locked away from civilised countries.