Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what artillery support has been provided to the Ukrainian military.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK has not yet delivered any UK artillery systems or ammunition from our stockpiles. The UK has, however, been encouraging other countries to provide ammunition for existing Ukrainian systems and we’ve been facilitating the movement of that ammunition to Ukraine. The UK will provide artillery directly to Ukraine, details of these donations will be notified to the House once completed and the operational security situation allows.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what review is being undertaken of the development of a new Main Battle Tank to replace Challenger 2 in response to the deployment of Russian armour in Ukraine.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The Challenger 3 (CR3) programme is already underway. The programme will upgrade 148 of our existing CR2 Main Battle Tanks; these upgrades include a digitalised turret, a more capable smooth bore gun with enhanced munitions, upgraded sights, upgraded armour along with additional survivability enhancements. CR3 currently is scheduled to enter service in 2027.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Joint Expeditionary Force assists in improving stability and security in the (a) North Atlantic, (b) Baltic Sea Region and (c) High North.
Answered by James Heappey
Defence Ministers from the ten members of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) met in Helsinki on 30 June to 1 July 2021, signing new Political Direction which sets the strategic policy and political context in which the with which the JEF operates. As befits its membership, the principal geographic area of interest for the JEF is the High North, North Atlantic and Baltic Sea region (although it is also able to operate further afield, if required). The JEF is configured to make a key contribution to security challenges in the region by providing credible options for responding rapidly to crises and being able to operate persistently across all domains below the threshold of conflict; either in its own right or in support of other multinational organisations, such as NATO.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of whether Russia's actions in the Black Sea towards (a) HMS Defender on 23 June 2021 and (b) the Royal Netherlands naval vessel HNMLS Evertsen on 24 June 2021 represent a potential pattern of challenging NATO.
Answered by James Heappey
HMS DEFENDER was conducting innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law, taking the most direct route from Odesa to Batumi, En route, she interacted with a number of Russian military vessels and aircraft: at no point was she fired upon nor bombs dropped in her path. It remains essential that all conduct is safe, professional and in line with international law. HNMLS EVERTSON was also taking the most direct route from Odesa to her destination. The UK will continue to demonstrate our commitment to maintaining regional security and freedom of navigation by undertaking periodic deployments, including under NATO, to work with allies and partners in the Black Sea region. We continue to encourage Russia to work co-operatively to reduce the risk of miscalculation.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of whether Pakistan's PNS Zulfiqar frigate's scheduled exercise, Arabian Monsoon, with the Russian navy in the Baltic Sea after visiting St Petersburg on 22-27 July 2021 represents a potential challenge to NATO in that sea.
Answered by James Heappey
The NATO Alliance remains the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic defence. This includes ensuring security and stability in the Baltic region. We are mindful of Russia's persistent hostile actions towards NATO and our Eastern Allies, and are confident in the effectiveness of NATO's routine deterrence activity in the region, which includes air policing and enhanced Forward Presence deployments of personnel.
The UK continues to value the role that Pakistan has played as a NATO Partner. This includes training and cooperation with the Alliance on areas of mutual interest, including stability and counter extremism in Afghanistan, civil preparedness and disaster response and counter narcotics. The Royal Navy via HMS Montrose also participated in Exercise AMAN 21 (February 2021) in the port of Karachi and off the coast of Southern Pakistan.
PNS ZULFIQAR will visit Portsmouth next week. Baroness Goldie will attend a reception on board and it will then conduct Exercise WHITE STAR with HMS ARGYLL on 14 July.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when all armed forces personnel will have received their vaccination against covid-19.
Answered by James Heappey
All Armed Forces personnel are expected to be offered a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 31 July 2021, in line with UK timelines for the national vaccination programme. Defence will ensure that no member of the Armed Forces, including those serving or deploying overseas, is disadvantaged in their access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many soldiers serving abroad have been vaccinated against covid-19.
Answered by James Heappey
As at 10 May 2021, 2,862 UK Armed Forces personnel serving overseas have received at least one vaccine against COVID-19. Defence will ensure that no member of the Armed Forces serving or deploying overseas is disadvantaged in their access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost of maintaining British bases in Cyprus has been in each of the last five years.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The cost of maintaining the British Bases in Cyprus, in each of the last five financial years is as follows:
Financial Year | Hard Facilities Management (£ million) | Soft Facilities Management (£ million) | Total (£ million) |
2018-191 | 49.142 | 16.669 | 65.811 |
2017-18 | 55.386 | 17.249 | 72.636 |
2016-17 | 40.950 | 17.235 | 58.185 |
2015-16 | 51.628 | 12.786 | 64.414 |
2014-15 | 49.503 | 18.636 | 68.139 |
Total | 246.609 | 82.576 | 329.185 |
1 Estimated Forecast of Outturn as at 31 January 2019
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many permanent British personnel are stationed at British bases in Cyprus.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
As at 22 February 2019, there were 2,361 UK personnel permanently stationed on British bases in Cyprus. This figure excludes UK personnel who are part of the United Nations mission OP TOSCA or OP SHADER and UK Locally Employed Civilians.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to increase the (a) number and (b) frequency of Royal Navy exercises in the South China Sea.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The UK has enduring interests in the region and is committed to maintaining regional peace, prosperity and security, and upholding the Rules Based International System. Royal Navy vessels will therefore continue to regularly operate, navigate and exercise within the South China Sea, including with regional allies and partners. Furthermore, the UK is committed to asserting rights of freedom of navigation and overflight across the globe.
In 2018 HMS Sutherland, HMS Albion and HMS Argyll deployed to the Asia Pacific to provide a near-persistent presence in support of regional security as well as the enforcement of United Nations Security Council (UNSCR) sanctions on North Korea's illegal weapons programmes. HMS Montrose is currently in the region and will shortly undertake further support to UNSCR sanctions enforcement and a range of regional engagements.