British Military Equipment: Chinese Components

Lord Kennedy of Southwark Excerpts

Wednesday 25th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords—

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

It is the turn of the Cross Benches.

[Lord Stirrup (CB)]

My Lords, the fact that 85% of all drone components worldwide come from China illustrates the urgent need for a more resilient supply chain. The development of such a supply chain depends on the placing of orders in the appropriate industries to build up their capacity. In the UK’s case, the placing of such orders seems to depend on the defence investment plan. When are we going to see this elusive document?

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords—

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

It is the turn of the Conservative Benches. If they can make their minds up, someone can ask a question.

[Lord Howell of Guildford (Con)]

My Lords, under the Washington declaration of 2023, we were promised by the then American Administration that all electric vehicles, military and civil, exported from this country, provided that they contained critical minerals or rare earths mined either in America or here, would be subject to the same subsidy as American vehicles were to be given anyway, under the American Government plans. What happened to that deal? Is it still outstanding?