Oral Answers to Questions

Rebecca Smith Excerpts

Monday 19th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Luke Pollard]

I thank my hon. Friend for the work he does in raising defence business opportunities in his patch. This is an ongoing procurement, and no final decisions have been made. Both the UK-based bidders are subject to full evaluation of their proposals and must offer satellites that are assembled, integrated and tested in the UK. We hope to make an announcement shortly.

[Rebecca Smith (South West Devon) (Con)]

T6. Last month, our oldest allies, the Portuguese, hosted NATO’s REPMUS—robotic experimentation and prototyping with maritime unmanned systems—event, and I had the privilege of attending for a couple of days. Over three weeks, member nations worked together to test the interoperability of autonomous drones, submersibles and surface vessels. Will the Secretary of State join me in thanking the Portuguese navy for hosting this important event again? Will he commit to exploring why the 2022 defence agreement between our two nations has not yet been finalised?

[Luke Pollard]

I think I was the only Plymouth MP not at REPMUS, given that the hon. Member for South West Devon (Rebecca Smith) and my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth Moor View (Fred Thomas) attended. I support the work that the hon. Member for South West Devon is doing. We have a huge opportunity in marine autonomy to create more jobs and increase the lethality and deterrence of our Royal Navy. I am very happy to pick up the points that she raised.