Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth (CP 1388), page 85, what progress he has made in establishing a coordinating authority for market engagement within the National Armaments Director Group.

We have taken the first steps to deliver the Defence Industrial Strategy commitment to strengthen early engagement with industry and integrate market insight into force and capability development. The Market Engagement Coordinating Authority has been initiated within the National Armaments Director Group and is now in its development phase. Work is underway to build out its full capability, with Initial Operating Capability planned for Q1 2026. Once operational, the Authority will bring coherence and transparency to Defence’s engagement with industry, unify Defence’s demand signals and enable structured engagement earlier in the capability development cycle, giving suppliers confidence to invest and helping accelerate acquisition.