Insight
Replacing the UK’s nuclear deterrent
The new Parliament will need to decide whether to replace the UK's current nuclear warhead
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Research Briefing
EU Defence: the realisation of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)
In November 2017, 23 EU Member States submitted a Joint Notification to the EU Council of Ministers setting out their intention to utilise the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) mechanism to further European defence (CSDP). Ireland and Portugal subsequently joined in early December and a Decision formally launching PESCO was adopted on 11 December 2017. The first 17 capability projects were formally launched in March 2018, with a second tranche of 17 projects agreed in November 2018. The UK did not sign the Joint Notification and will, therefore, remain outside of PESCO. In doing so, the UK has no decision making rights over its governance, its projects, or a veto over its future strategic direction.
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Research Briefing
Naval shipbuilding: September 2019 update
The Government has selected its preferred bidder to build the Royal Navy's new frigates. This Commons Library update examines progress on the shipbuilding strategy and the main surface ship programmes: frigates, support ships and offshore patrol vessels.
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Debate Pack
The National Shipbuilding Strategy
A Westminster Hall debate on ‘The National Shipbuilding Strategy’ has been scheduled for Thursday 11 July 2019 from 1:30-4:30pm. This Backbench Business debate will be led by Kevan Jones MP.
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Debate Pack
Combat Air Strategy progress and next steps
A Westminster Hall debate on the 'Combat Air Strategy progress and next steps’ has been scheduled for Thursday 27 June 2019, from 1:30-4:30pm. This Backbench Business debate will be led by Robert Courts MP.
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Debate Pack
50th Anniversary of the Continuous At Sea Deterrent
A general debate on the ‘50th Anniversary of the Continuous At Sea Deterrent’ has been scheduled for Wednesday 3 April 2019 in the Main Chamber.
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Research Briefing
What if there’s no Brexit deal?
What could happen if the EU and UK negotiators don't agree a withdrawal agreement in time and the UK has to leave the EU on 29 March 2019 without one - and with no framework for future relations either? This paper looks at how such a situation might come about, the constitutional implications for the UK and in some cases for the devolved administrations, and what the impact might be in a range of policy areas.
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Research Briefing
The Royal Navy, Brexit and UK fisheries
The Defence Secretary announced three Offshore Patrol Vessels will be retained in service for at least two more years “to bolster the UK’s ability to protect our fishing fleet” as the UK exits the EU.
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Insight
The Royal Navy, Brexit and UK fisheries
The Defence Secretary announced three Offshore Patrol Vessels will be retained in service for at least two more years “to bolster the UK’s ability to protect our fishing fleet” as the UK exits the EU.
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Research Briefing
An introduction to defence procurement
This Commons Library briefing explains some of the core aspects of defence procurement including sovereign capabilities, single source contracting and the regulatory framework.
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Research Briefing
The Modernising Defence Programme
This Commons Library briefing paper examines the Modernising Defence Programme (MDP) published by the Ministry of Defence in December 2018.
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Research Briefing
President Trump: the Nuclear Question
In January 2017 newly inaugurated US President, Donald Trump, signed an Executive Order which, among other things, called for a review of US nuclear policy, strategy, capabilities and force posture. That Nuclear Posture Review was published in February 2018. As widely expected, deterrence and not disarmament was the overriding message of the Trump review, and a marked departure from key nuclear policies under the Obama administration that sought to lower the reliance on nuclear weapons and embrace non-proliferation and disarmament.
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Research Briefing
The Combat Air Strategy: From Typhoon to ‘Tempest’?
The Government's Combat Air Strategy sets out the Government's ambition to develop a new combat aircraft for the 2030's. This Commons Library briefing paper provides a brief overview of the Strategy.
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Insight
The two NATO targets: Which countries are hitting the mark?
Some argue that NATO's 20% equipment target is more meaningful than the 2% GDP target.
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Debate Pack
Shipbuilding
An Opposition Day Debate on ‘Shipbuilding’ has been scheduled for Wednesday 11 July 2018 in the Main Chamber.
Total results (page 9 of 14)