Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 133
133
Accepted
DCP23 recognizes need for robust, resilient defence supply chains and MOD launches new strategy.
Conclusion
In order to ensure that Defence can replenish and increase stockpiles of munitions, spares and operational supplies, the DCP23 recognises that industry needs to have robust and resilient supply chains which have assured access to “key materials, components and 263 Ministry of Defence, Defence’s response to a more contested and volatile world, Cm 901, July 2023, p 37–8 264 Ministry of Defence, Defence’s response to a more contested and volatile world, Cm 901, July 2023, p 39 265 Oral evidence taken on 12 December 2023, HC (2023–24) 54, Q60–2 266 Oral evidence taken on 12 December 2023, HC (2023–24) 54, Q115 267 Oral evidence taken before the Public Accounts Committee on 22 January 2024, HC (2023–24) 451, Q83 268 Q406 269 Ministry of Defence, Defence’s response to a more contested and volatile world, Cm 901, July 2023, p 40 50 Ready for War? critical technologies”. A joint assessment of industrial capability, capacity, and sustainment will be undertaken along with communications on sovereign requirements (including what needs to be ‘onshore’ and what can be ‘friendshored’) and engagement on how to incentivise industry to prioritise national security needs over commercial ones.270 In November 2023, we were told that the MOD was launching a supply chain strategy which would identify (as part of the increasing defence outputs programme) where those supply chain pinch points are and ensure that the Department is “being proactive around them”.271
Government Response Summary
The government committed £1.95 billion from the 2023 Spring Budget to build munitions and medical stockpiles and support critical activities, including supply chain mapping. It detailed significant investments in various munitions purchases and confirmed £1 billion in contracts to replenish UK stocks of equipment sent to Ukraine.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
£1.95Bn was allocated in the 2023 Spring Budget to address long-standing challenges across the defence programme to improve our resilience, which will make us better able to respond to new threats. This funding is being used to build the department’s munitions and medical stockpiles and support a wide range of critical activity. To date investments include support to deliver a large purchase of 155mm munitions, building storm shadow stockpiles, supply chain mapping, wargaming, enhancements to a range of critical infrastructure, and medical stockpiles. In addition to these uplifts, we have placed almost £1Bn in contracts to replenish UK stocks of equipment and munitions already granted to Ukraine. Contracts have been placed to replenish UK stockpiles include Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapons; Starstreak High Velocity Missiles; Lightweight Multirole Missiles; Javelin missiles; Brimstone missiles; 155mm artillery rounds; and 5.56mm rifle rounds. ...Through commitments made in DCP23, Defence is prioritising the things that will make those capabilities more lethal and ready, such as stockpiles, munitions, and enablers including storage facilities and our transformed partnership with industry, where we will engage much earlier in strategic conversations to create a more resilient, reliable, and adaptable industrial base.