Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2023 to Question 1042 on Army, how many meetings his Department held with industry partners on the 20-year investment plan since the publication of the policy paper entitled Land Industrial Strategy, published on 18 May 2022; and when these meetings took place.

There is planning provision within the Army’s Capability Investment Plan (CIP) that considers the next 20 years. This is not a formally endorsed plan nor is there any intent to publish externally. As outlined in the Land Industrial Strategy, the Army is committed to ensuring industry is kept up to date on the Army’s approach to its strategic balance of investment. An update was provided to the Land Enterprise Working Group (LEWG) on 15 November 2023 with further engagement scheduled for 23 January 2024. The LEWG has met three times to date. This work is complementary to both the Defence Supplier Forum and the MOD’s Strategic Partnering Programme.