Defence equipment and procurement

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on defence equipment and procurement. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
10.05.2013In brief: Outsourcing defence procurement
The Defence Reform Bill will allow the Government to proceed with its plans to change the way defence equipment is procured.
12.04.2013The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will be the new multirole fast jet for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It will serve as the strike capability for the new Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier and will partner the Typhoon to form the future fast jet fleet for the RAF. There are three variants of the Joint Strike Fighter. The Government attracted criticism for its decision in 2010 to select a different variant to that originally chosen by the previous Government, and again for reverting back to the original choice two years later.
15.02.2013Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones): an introduction
This note provides an introduction to the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) by the UK Armed Forces, more commonly known as drones.
14.01.2013Update on the Trident Successor Programme
The programme to replace the UK's nuclear deterrent from 2028 onwards continues apace and in December 2012 the Government published its first update report to Parliament.
08.01.2013Defence expenditure: Social Indicators page
Defence expenditure: Social Indicators page. By Gavin Berman. SN/SG/2623.

Research Papers

DateDescription
11.07.2013Defence Reform Bill
The Defence Reform Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 3 July 2013. Second Reading has been tabled for 16 July 2013.
14.12.2011Military balance in Southeast Asia
This paper examines the military balance of power in Southeast Asia and specifically at the military capabilities and priorities of six regional actors: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore.
20.10.2003UK Defence Procurement Policy
UK Defence Procurement Policy. House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/78
15.10.1998The Strategic Defence Review White Paper
The strategic defence review White Paper. House of Commons Library Research Paper 98/91.

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
18.07.2011The use of information to manage the Logistics supply chain.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
04.04.2011Management of the Typhoon project.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
22.03.2011Defence equipment 2010.
Government response. Defence Select Committee; Ministry of Defence report [Commons]
01.12.2010The strategic defence and security review.
Government response. Defence Select Committee report [Commons]
27.07.2010The contribution of ISTAR to operations.
Government response. Defence Select Committee; Ministry of Defence report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
14.09.2011DEFENCE BUSINESS SERVICES
That this House expresses profound concern at the proposed appointment of a commercial management company to partner Defence Business Services; believes that allowing a private sector ...
17.02.2011CLUSTER MUNITIONS AND DIEGO GARCIA
That this House welcomes the international treaty to ban the use, manufacture, sale and storage of cluster munitions that came into force on 1 August 2010; is concerned that the American ...
12.07.2010ARMS AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT SALES
That this House isshocked at the comment reportedly made in an interview publishedin The Times on 24 June 2010 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence responsible ...
09.02.2010US AIR FORCE'S KC-X AIRCRAFT TANKER PROGRAMME
That this House celebrates the important and longstanding historical ties between the UK and the US and the two nations' important strategic relationship in defence, security and trade; ...
16.12.2009FIRST FLIGHT OF THE AIRBUS A400M
That this House welcomes the successful completion of the first flight of the Airbus Military A400M transporter; notes that Britain has ordered 25 A400Ms to provide the Armed Forces ...

POST Papers

DateDescription
01.09.1999Military Use of Satellite Imagery, September 1999
Technological developments are continually improving the resolution of remote sensing from planes and satellites. Such techniques can provide 24-hour global surveillance in all weathers and are thus of crucial importance to national defence and military operations. But despite all the high technology, human operators remain of paramount importance in interpreting the data. This briefing note reviews the technical challenges and other issues facing the UK in maintaining this military 'high ground'.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - papers compiled by the House of Lords Library on Bills and for debates in the Lords