Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support UK capability through defence contracts for the (a) development, (b) manufacture and (c) maintenance of critical defence (i) equipment and (ii) systems.

The Strategic Defence Review sets the course for making defence a driver of growth, creating jobs, and renewing the nation’s contract across the UK in line with the Government’s growth mission.

The UK’s manufacturing industry is vital to both national security and economic growth. The new Defence Industrial Strategy will support UK businesses and contracts, strengthening domestic supply chains and ensuring critical defence equipment and systems are maintained within the advanced manufacturing sector.