Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his international allies on the potential export of radio frequency directed energy weapons.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the continued investment in UK Sovereign Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) technology, to provide cutting edge capability to the Armed Forces at pace. The advanced technology is being developed by a joint team from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), working with UK industry.

We have explored the export potential for DEW, which is another driver for our pace in developing this technology, and we continue to talk to international partners about opportunities for collaboration and export. We will continue to stimulate UK industry through delivering a capability that prioritises a UK sovereign approach, with a focus on building the UK Directed Energy Weapons supply chain and required suitably qualified and experienced person that can help us to take advantage of this export opportunity.