Oral Question·Ministry of Defence
“What assessment he has made of the potential impact of research and development defence spending on the economy.”
Tabled: 27 January 2026Answered: 2 February 2026
Asked by
Bobby Dean
Liberal Democrat — Carshalton and Wallington
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Defence
Answer from Hansard
The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)
To deter and defeat aggression, this Government are investing in innovation in the latest capabilities for our forces. R&D is critical to maximising defence ability to be an engine for growth. It is this Government who have ensured that 10% of our equipment plan must be spent on novel technologies, and we have introduced a £400 million defence innovation fund.