Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many Protector RG MK1s are currently in use.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Sixteen Protector RG Mk1 air vehicles have been purchased by the UK, eight of which have been delivered into service, with others remaining in test and evaluation with the manufacturer.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether a new competition will be started to replace Project Lily.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, whether the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament includes funding for Ukraine.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The £270 billion is the total of the Ministry of Defence's budget from financial year 2025/26 to 2028/29. This was published following the Spending Review last year.
£3 billion in support of Ukraine for each financial is included as part of that settlement.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many procurement orders are currently awaiting approval by the (a) Treasury and (b) Cabinet Office for a value of (i) over £1 million, (ii) £500,000 to £1 million and (iii) under £500,000 since 5 July 2024.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department can confirm that, as of 5 July 2024, three cases are currently awaiting approval from the Treasury, and six cases above £1 million are awaiting approval from the Cabinet Office.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will state the reason for the termination of Project Lily.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to implement a new project to replace Project Lily.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much will be spent on Defence in the next Parliament.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government has set a clear ambition to spend 3% in the next Parliament as fiscal and economic conditions allow.
The Ministry of Defence's settlement over the next Parliament has not been decided and will be considered as part of future Spending Reviews.