Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled 100 new jobs created as drone factory opens in Swindon, published on 20 November 2025, how many orders he has placed for AI-enabled uncrewed systems.

The Strategic Defence Review 2025 recommended a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence within the UK's conventional force. Defence will deliver on this commitment by incorporating uncrewed and autonomous systems into the Integrated Force in higher numbers over the next five years.

We are committed to ensuring the Defence industry is a powerhouse for economic growth through strengthened industrial relationships and domestic investment, and will leverage investments such as the Autonomy Fund to this end whilst ensuring operational benefits. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including autonomous and uncrewed systems, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.