Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 2.9 of the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body 46th Report, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that service personnel are trained to service and repair newly acquired equipment.

The single Services are required to consider the impact of any new equipment or upgrade across all the Defence Lines of Development (DLODs). One of these is the training DLOD. Consequently, when new equipment is introduced or upgraded there is a requirement for a training needs analysis which breaks down new training requirement(s). This looks at any training gap against current training and develops training solutions, and recommends an optimal one based on cost, benefit and risk. This process is conducted in accordance with the defence systems approach to training process, which is governed by a steering group of stakeholders from across the DLODs who endorse the training solution and then ensure any required changes are implemented.