Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s press release entitled UK-first achieved in advanced materials to benefit defence, published on 10 March 2026, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reliance on overseas suppliers of ultra-high-temperature materials prior to that programme on defence capability.

Overseas supply of Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) is predominantly available from the USA and Japan, noting that other countries are also looking to develop commercial supply capabilities.

Overall, at the present stage of UK development of industrial capability for CMC manufacture the type and magnitude of exports for defence and civil applications is unknown. Export controls are already in place to protect high performing sovereign CMC materials.