Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to use procurement of space capabilities to support UK sovereign design and manufacturing capability in the space sector.
Answered by Alec Shelbrooke
Defence is investing £1.5 billion over 10 years in the acquisition and development of new technologies in Space Domain Awareness, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Command and Control, and Space Control. This is in addition to around £5 billion over the next decade to enhance our satellite communication capabilities (Skynet). These capability priorities are set out in the Defence Space Strategy, published in February 2021.
This investment will play a part in stimulating innovation, commercialisation, and growth across the wider sector, from which UK industry is sure to benefit both directly and indirectly. Procurement of the Defence Space Portfolio (DSP) will also adhere to the principles set out in the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy, ensuring that along with value for money; social value, development of crucial skills, and the levelling up agenda are all considered when letting contracts.
The contract for the DSP's first satellite was let in February 2022 for £22 million under Project TYCHE. It will be built by a UK company, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL).
Asked by: Lord Walney (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what investment the Government is making in innovation in order to safeguard sovereign capability in materials for the defence and nuclear industries.
Answered by George Freeman
Through Innovate UK we are investing £300m to support high potential opportunities in advanced materials and manufacturing. This investment is delivered through the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres, including the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and the National Composites Centre.
We are working with industry through the Defence Growth Partnership to stimulate innovation and improve competitiveness across the UK defence sector.