UK in ongoing NATO talks on air defence ammo stocks

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed it is reviewing options for developing mobile, low-cost anti-drone systems and vehicles, as ministers were warned of the growing strain that drone warfare could place on NATO’s air defence ammunition stockpiles, according to parliamentary responses published on Friday.

Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the UK holds “regular and ongoing discussions with NATO allies on the sustainability of air defence ammunition stocks.” These discussions, he said, take place through several NATO mechanisms, including the Conference of National Armament Directors, which held an extraordinary meeting on air and missile defence in January 2025, and the NATO Defence Industrial Production Board, which is working to expand industrial capacity in surface-based air and missile defence.

Pollard added that the UK is encouraging allies to consolidate their future ammunition purchases and to support increased production through NATO’s Multinational Procurement Initiatives and its Reoccurring Process for Aggregating Demand Signal, known as REPEAD.

“The UK remains committed to working closely with NATO allies to ensure the sustainability of air defence ammunition stocks and to address the challenges posed by evolving threats, including drone-based warfare,” he said. “The Government will continue to prioritise this issue and work with allies to ensure that NATO remains prepared to respond to current and future security challenges.”

Responding separately to questions from Suella Braverman MP, Minister for Veterans Al Carns said the MOD is “reviewing all options” for the manufacture and deployment of anti-drone systems, including mobile platforms and improvised vehicles equipped with machine guns and spotlights. He said integrated air and missile defence, including counter-uncrewed air systems, would be “prioritised appropriately as part of the future Integrated Force.”

Carns confirmed that the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review will be detailed in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, which will outline new investment in homeland air defence and counter-drone capabilities.