The Navy: purpose and procurement

Defence Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 23 Apr 2021 Closed: 6 Dec 2022 Parliament page
This inquiry will examine what role the Navy should expect to play over the next 20 years and whether naval procurement and support plans are delivering the capabilities required. The inquiry will assess the threats and standing commitments the Navy is likely to face, as well as specific issues in … Read more
23 Recommendations
6 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
4 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 10 events
5 Jul
2022
Correspondence
29 Jun
2022
Correspondence
25 Feb
2022
Report published
11 Jan
2022
Correspondence
14 Dec
2021
Report published
2 Nov
2021
Oral evidence
26 Oct
2021
Correspondence
21 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
29 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
8 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
2 Nov 2021
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Admiral Tony Radakin · Ministry of Defence Jeremy Quin MP · Ministry of Defence Vice Admiral Chris Gardner · Ministry of Defence
21 Sep 2021
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Panel 1
Christopher Pyne, Former Australian Minister of Defence Professor Tetsuo Kotani · Meikai University
29 Jun 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
David Lockwood CBE · Babcock International Group Glynn Phillips · BAE Systems Ian Waddell · The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions (CSEU) Sam McBriar · Thales UK Sir John Parker GBE FREng
8 Jun 2021
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Panel 1
Admiral Sir Philip Jones, First Sea Lord (2016-2019) · Royal Navy Professor Jonathan Caverley · US Naval War College
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - “We’re going to need a bigger Navy” HC 168 14 Dec 2021 29 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - “We’re going to nee…
The Navy cannot fulfil the full ambition of the Integrated Review with its current fleet.
The Navy cannot fulfil the full ambition of the Integrated Review with its current fleet. It needs more lower-end, adaptable vessels, like the planned Type 31 frigate, to fulfil the presence operations planned. A large part of the Government’s plan … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines commitments to procure new Type 31, Type 32, Type 26, FSS, and Multi-Role Support Ships, stating this will increase overall vessel numbers by 2030, addressing the need for fleet growth, particularly with adaptable vessels, though not explicitly committing to the committee's scale of increase or new funding.
Ministry of Defence
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5 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - “We’re going to nee…
The Indo-Pacific tilt is a significant change in the UK’s defence posture which will increase...
The Indo-Pacific tilt is a significant change in the UK’s defence posture which will increase the demand and risk placed on finite resources. We will consider the value and effectiveness of the overall tilt policy and greater engagement in the … Read more
Government Response
The government stated it intends to deploy a Carrier Strike Group annually, but clarified that each deployment will be bespoke in terms of objectives, composition, and allied involvement. It did not explicitly address the request for public transparency on the overall costs of the Indo-Pacific tilt.
Ministry of Defence
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10 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - “We’re going to nee…
The delivery of digital and data integration like the Naval Strike Network will be absolutely...
The delivery of digital and data integration like the Naval Strike Network will be absolutely crucial if the fleet is to be operated effectively. The Department must ensure that the Naval Strike Network is fully funded and compatible with Defence’s … Read more
Government Response
The government reassured the Committee that the Naval Strike Network will be fully compliant with Defence’s digital backbone, but stated that the Royal Navy is still exploring opportunities to fully fund this capability.
Ministry of Defence
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15 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - “We’re going to nee…
Building interoperability with nations in the Indo-Pacific will be vital for delivering any tilt to...
Building interoperability with nations in the Indo-Pacific will be vital for delivering any tilt to the region. This must include coordinating with European partners and working to rebuild the military relationship with France. The Navy must continue to regularly exercise … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has a mature strategy for the Pacific, detailing existing deployments and collaboration efforts, but explicitly confirms the UK ceased participation in Operation ATALANTA in March 2019 due to a lack of legal basis.
Ministry of Defence
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18 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - “We’re going to nee…
Reporting of availability must improve to avoid concealing issues with the availability of specific classes...
Reporting of availability must improve to avoid concealing issues with the availability of specific classes of vessel. The Ministry of Defence should report annually to Parliament in a written statement on the availability of all surface vessels in the Royal … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to providing a single annual update to the Defence Committee on Surface Fleet availability and shipbuilding plans, but did not explicitly confirm the separate annual written statement to Parliament or all the specific details requested for the classified report.
Ministry of Defence
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24 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - “We’re going to nee…
Proper scrutiny is essential to ensure programmes are delivered on time.
Proper scrutiny is essential to ensure programmes are delivered on time. In order to allow for proper scrutiny of ongoing programmes, the Ministry of Defence should emulate the US Department of Defense and provide Parliament with an annual shipbuilding plan, … Read more
Government Response
The department will provide a single annual update to the Defence Committee, which will include Surface Fleet availability and shipbuilding plans, but does not explicitly commit to the 30-year plan, individual SRO reports, or public evidence sessions requested.
Ministry of Defence
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25 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - “We’re going to nee…
The National Shipbuilding Strategy refresh must finally take on board the consistent recommendations given in...
The National Shipbuilding Strategy refresh must finally take on board the consistent recommendations given in successive reports by a range of experts. This includes providing a steady pipeline of work for British shipyards and working collaboratively with industry. The refresh … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to addressing the skills aspect of the National Shipbuilding Strategy refresh by conducting an assessment of current requirements and outlining how various bodies will collaborate to deliver necessary skills, but did not address the other five specific recommendations.
Ministry of Defence
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27 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - “We’re going to nee…
We welcome the Department’s ambition to bring new technology into the fleet and the opportunities...
We welcome the Department’s ambition to bring new technology into the fleet and the opportunities that the large number of planned vessels offer. It provides an early test of the new Integrated Operating Concept. It is essential that NavyX and … Read more
Government Response
The government outlined how DE&S and NavyX address technological development and digital system integration through open architectures and application-based software, committing to their use in future vessel designs. It also stated the Royal Navy would specifically review funding allocated for research, development, and engineering as part of its annual budget cycle.
Ministry of Defence
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Government Response AI assessment · 29 of 23 classified
Accepted 15
Accepted in Part 8
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 1
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 1
Total 23 recs + 6 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
5 Jul 2022 Letter, dated 28 June 2022, from the Chair to MinDP, in response to MinDP’s letter of 13 June regarding the Royal Navy
Parliament page
29 Jun 2022 Letter, dated 13 June 2022, from the Minister for Defence Procurement to the Chair, providing responses to questions from the Committee on the Royal Navy
Parliament page
11 Jan 2022 Letter dated 20th December from the Secretary of State for Defence to Chair providing an update on timescales regarding National the National Shipbuilding Strategy
Parliament page
26 Oct 2021 Letter dated 24th June from Intermarine UK to the Chair on Brexit, Immigration, Pre-Settled / Frontier Worker Status in support of Strategically Important Shipbuild Projects
Parliament page