Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 94
It is clear that the manner in which Western Governments procure armaments is not fit...
Recommendation
It is clear that the manner in which Western Governments procure armaments is not fit for purpose. The MOD produced a strategy aimed at improving the way that it engages with industry and allies almost two years ago and yet we have been told it will take at least a decade to replenish (and then increase to a sustainable level) UK ammunition stockpiles. We have previously recommended that the Department report annually on its implementation of the Defence, Security and Industrial Strategy—a recommendation which was ignored. We therefore recommend that the Department produce an action plan of how it intends to grow defence industrial capacity and reduce the time taken to replenish UK stockpiles. We further recommend that the Department brief this and other relevant Committees on the steps required to fulfil those goals.
Government Response Summary
The government highlights actions already underway to work with industry to replenish stockpiles, including establishing a replenishment team and placing contracts for various weapon systems, and states that they will outline how they are working more closely with industry in the upcoming Defence Command Paper Refresh, but does not commit to an action plan.
Paragraph Reference:
94
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
We continue to work closely with industry, academia, and our international partners to deliver the full range of commitments set out in DSIS and ensure that the UK continues to have competitive, innovative, and world-class defence and security industries. The key theme of the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy, the need to consider industry as a capability in its own right, has been reinforced by the Government’s and industry’s response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Industry has played a key role in our support for Ukraine. Regarding the replenishment of UK stockpiles, the Department is fully engaged with industry, Allies, and partners to ensure that all equipment and munitions granted in kind to Ukraine from UK stocks are replaced as quickly as possible. The Department has rapidly and effectively exploited our procurement processes in a way which reflects the urgency of the situation. We have prioritised a more holistic munitions mix over a determination to always replace like for like. To take this forward, a replenishment team has been established in the newly formed Defence Equipment and Support Operations Directorate. A number of substantial contracts have already been placed to directly replenish UK stockpiles. These include securing contracts for Next Generation Light Anti- Tank Weapons, Starstreak High Velocity Missiles, Lightweight Multirole Missiles, Archer 6X6 Artillery Systems and Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles. better understand long-term strategic challenges and identify solutions to issues such as 8 Special relationships? US, UK and Nato: Government Response the availability of critical skills, resilience within the supply chain, and productivity. We will outline how we are working more closely with industry in the upcoming Defence Command Paper Refresh.