Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that non-UK prime contractors are maximising UK content below the prime level.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) routinely engages with prime contractors, including non-UK primes, to maximise competition in the supply chain wherever possible. For example, Boeing has established an office for UK Industrial Capability and invests directly in the UK on research and development.

Further examples on our current programmes include sub-contracts awarded to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land and WFEL on the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle programme and the recent F-35 Lightning Air system National Capability Enterprise contract signed by Lockheed Martin, with the majority of the work to be carried out by BAE Systems.

More widely, we have also taken a number of positive actions to make it easier for smaller companies to do business with defence, including sub-contract advertising on our online portal and improving the pipeline information that we publish. We are also implementing the Cabinet Office social value in procurement model.

Through the MOD's Defence Prosperity Programme, we are working collaboratively between Government, industry and academia to grow Defence's contribution to UK prosperity. We are also undertaking a cross-Government review of the UK's defence and security sectors which will identify how we can enhance our strategic approach to ensure we have competitive, innovative and world-class defence and security industries that drive investment and prosperity across the Union and underpin our national security now and in the future.