Dr Jeevun Sandher

Dr Jeevun Sandher

Labour — Loughborough

Speaking in the House of Commons on 19 May 2025

Debate

Defence Procurement: SMEs

Contribution

I, too, wish the Veterans Minister the best of luck as he climbs Everest, and I am sure we all agree: rather him than us. In today’s world warfare is changing dramatically. Drones costing $1,000 can destroy tanks worth $10 million, but the innovation cycle for those drones is rapid; they are designed to become obsolete within months. We need a dynamic SME sector to produce those drones, but defence SMEs are struggling to get the finance they need, with a lack of long-term contracts and a lack of guarantees. A multilateral defence bank could help to ensure that those firms get the finance they need. Will the Secretary of State please set out the discussions he is having to help to found that multilateral defence bank?

More from Dr Jeevun Sandher

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Dr Jeevun Sandher's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Dr Jeevun Sandher report card.