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In October 2022 Alex was appointed Minister for Defence Procurement (MinDP).
He acted quickly to set in train far-reaching reforms to Britain's military acquisition framework which he described as 'wasteful' and 'sclerotic'. In a speech to the Make UK Defence Summit, he called for the procurement process to be radically speeded up, noting:
"Perfect is the enemy of the good. 80% capability today is far preferable to 100% capability tomorrow - particularly as all too often, tomorrow never comes."
As MinDP, his responsibilities included:
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Nuclear Enterprise
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Defence procurement; Air, Land, Maritime and Joint domain
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Complex Weapons
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Trade, Exports, Foreign Investments and Economic Security
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Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS)
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Defence Industry Relationships
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Equipment Plan
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Defence Digital
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Shipbuilding Programmes (MOD)
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Science and Technology (Dstl)
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R&D and Innovation
He worked closely with Five Eyes and NATO colleagues, as well as senior industry and military leaders.
Welcomed Premier of Sth Australia to UK Nuclear Shipyard
Australia, the UK and the US have embarked on a partnership called AUKUS, to support a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The first major initiative of the AUKUS partnership is the delivery of a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) capability for Australia. This will ensure that Australia will maintain a critical edge in the underwater domain for decades to come. At the centre of this is SSN-AUKUS, a trilaterally-developed submarine based on the UK’s next-generation design. Alex welcomed the Premier of South Australia to Barrow, the home of UK submarine construction.
Cut Steel on HMS Warspite, Latest Nuclear Deterrent Submarine
Alex began work to build the UK nuclear deterrent programme's latest submarine, HMS Warspite, at BAE Systems' shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. It is the third of four new Dreadnought class submarines being built to carry Trident ballistic missiles at an estimated cost of £31bn. Alex stated progress was "crucial to maintaining our national security" and was "supporting thousands of jobs and apprenticeships across the country", he said. He added that it would be "protecting the UK and our allies for decades to come".
Visited British Troops Taking Part in US/UK/Aus Training
Alex visited allies from the UK, US and Australia participating in Project Convergence 2022 in California. The Project studied how using artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomy can improve battlefield situational awareness, connecting sensors with shooters and accelerating decision-making speeds.
A Fort Irwin the UK deployed 450 troops, and 17 technologies were showcased and experimented with, including long-range fires, uncrewed aerial systems, autonomous fighting vehicles and next-generation sensors. They were supported by more than 20 scientists and engineers from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
Cut Steel on Royal Navy's Latest Type 26 Frigate
Alex cut steel on the first of the second batch of Type 26 warships, following a £4.2 billion contract awarded to BAE Systems in November 2022. The ceremony at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Govan, Glasgow, represents another significant milestone for the Type 26 programme, the Royal Navy and UK Defence, reinforcing Defence’s commitment to shipbuilding in Scotland.
The work will sustain some 1,700 jobs in Scotland with a further 2,300 jobs across the wider UK supply chain, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the UK.
Honoured War Dead at National Memorial Arboretum
Alex laid a wreath at National Arboretum in Staffordshire on the 20th anniversary of the Iraq war. He did so in honour of the 179 personnel killed in Operation TELIC.
Welcomed US Counterpart to London
Alex welcomed US UnderSecretary of the Army, Gabe Camarillo, to the Ministry of Defence to discuss a range of issues concerning defence cooperation.
Cut Steel on Type 31 Frigate, HMS Active
Alex delivered a speech at the steel cutting of HMS Active, a Type 31 frigate, at Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland. Armed with SeaCeptor missiles and a 4D radar system, HMS Active has flexibility woven into its DNA.
Not only will it be able today to do everything from intercepting illegal activity, gathering intelligence, providing humanitarian relief, but, as a modular and scalable platform, it will have the ability to adapt tomorrow to the ever-evolving threats of the 21st century.
And that’s important because the great frigates constructed here in this yard will be part of a formidable fleet for years to come.
Secured Trade MOUs at Global Investment Summit in India
Alex gave the keynote address at the UK Partner Session of the Global Investment Summit in Uttar Pradesh, India. He was joined by more than 30 British businesses which signed seven MOUs, committing £165m of investment into UP and generating almost a thousand jobs.
Announced Gifting of Challenger II Tanks to Ukraine
In response to a question in the House, Alex updated Parliament that Britain intended the fourteen Challenger 2 tanks supplied to Ukraine arrive in the country at the end of March 2023.
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