Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November to Question 87744 on Navy: Training, what assessment he has made of the impact the departure of Elbit Systems UK on the delivery of Project Selborne.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) regularly reviews its capability programmes. As the result of a recent review, MOD is in discussion with Elbit Systems UK about their departure from submarine training in the Project Selborne contract and has already agreed the company’s departure from Dreadnought Crew Training contract. This has not happened because of any specific issues with Elbit Systems UK or any wrongdoing on their part but rather a result of applying revised operational sovereignty standards for the UK’s highest priority capabilities. Elbit Systems UK remain an important and trusted partner across a range of other contracts in Defence.

Capita Business Services Ltd, as the Prime Contractor delivering Project Selborne, are responsible for ensuring its delivery. Capita will instigate contingency plans to ensure training provision is unaffected.