Alex Baker
Main Page: Alex Baker (Labour - Aldershot)Department Debates - View all Alex Baker's debates with the Ministry of Defence
(1 day, 17 hours ago)
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Luke Pollard
We inherited defence spending of roughly 2.3% of GDP. That figure will be 2.7%-ish next year, and—as the hon. Gentleman will know, having read page 11 of the defence investment plan—at the spending review next year, the Chancellor will set out the spending profile that takes us to 3% and 3.5%. We are not only spending more on defence, but ensuring that we have the right equipment and capabilities. That is one of the reasons why we are retiring so much old equipment that no longer delivers for our armed forces and investing in new equipment, be that the hybrid Navy, autonomous drones or the latest capabilities for our people.
Alex Baker (Aldershot) (Lab)
When it comes to improving defence preparedness and resilience, I was really pleased to see the Minister launch Project Safari at the Hebrides range last week, particularly as I am the MP for Farnborough, which is home to the headquarters of QinetiQ. Will the Minister update the House on Project Safari, how it will modernise test and evaluation provision across the UK, and why this is important?
Luke Pollard
Project Safari is a superb example of how, when we have asked industry to step up, it has responded. Steve Wadey, the chief executive of QinetiQ, is pioneering a new set of requirements for test and evaluation, with more access to our ranges for small businesses, a greater focus on more collaboration, and more utility for us to test new capabilities. Project Safari was delivered from start to finish in three months—it is a model for how I expect other companies to react to our move to warfighting readiness.