Minister for Defence Procurement

Minister for Defence Procurement
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Post	Minister for Defence Procurement
Body	the United Kingdom
Insigniacaption	Royal Arms of His Majesty's Government
Department	Ministry of Defence
Reports to	Secretary of State for Defence
Appointer	The Prime Minister
Incumbent	James Cartlidge
Incumbentsince	21 April 2023
Formation	7 January 2016
First	Philip Dunne

Minister for Defence Procurement is a ministerial role within the British government, situated in the Ministry of Defence. The officeholder is responsible for overseeing the acquisition of military equipment and services for the British Armed Forces, managing a significant portion of the Defence Equipment and Support budget. The minister reports directly to the Secretary of State for Defence and plays a critical role in shaping the nation's defence capabilities through strategic investment in technology and platforms.

History and establishment

The position was formally created in January 2016 by Prime Minister David Cameron, separating the procurement function from the broader responsibilities of the Minister of State for the Armed Forces. This institutional change followed recommendations from reports like the Levene review and the Gray report, which highlighted the need for sharper accountability in major defence acquisitions. Prior to this, procurement duties were often held by ministers with other portfolios, such as the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, a title used between 2007 and 2013. The establishment of a dedicated minister aimed to address chronic issues of cost overruns and delays in projects like the *Queen Elizabeth*-class aircraft carriers and the F-35 Lightning II programme, providing a single point of political leadership for the complex Defence Equipment and Support organisation.

Responsibilities and functions

The minister's core duty is to ensure the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force are equipped with cutting-edge capabilities, managing one of the government's largest procurement budgets. This involves overseeing the entire lifecycle of equipment, from research and development with entities like the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory through to disposal. Key functions include approving major investment decisions, managing international partnerships such as those within NATO and with the United States Department of Defense, and driving innovation through initiatives like the Defence and Security Accelerator. The minister also answers for procurement matters in Parliament, works closely with the Chief of the Defence Staff on capability needs, and ensures projects align with strategic documents like the Integrated Review Refresh 2023.

List of officeholders

Since its creation, the post has been held by several politicians, typically serving as a Minister of State within the Ministry of Defence. The inaugural officeholder was Philip Dunne, appointed by David Cameron. Subsequent appointees have included Harriett Baldwin under Theresa May, and Jeremy Quin under Boris Johnson. The incumbent, James Cartlidge, was appointed by Rishi Sunak in April 2023. Each minister has brought different parliamentary and professional experience to the role, with many having backgrounds in finance or previous ministerial roles in the Treasury or Cabinet Office, reflecting the role's heavy financial and managerial demands.

Relationship with other defence bodies

The minister operates at the nexus of political, military, and industrial stakeholders. Within the Ministry of Defence, they work alongside the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Defence and the Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff on the Defence Board. Externally, the role involves continuous liaison with the defence industry, including major contractors like BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce Holdings, and MBDA. The minister also coordinates with allies, frequently engaging with the Pentagon, French Armed Forces, and through multinational forums like the Five Eyes alliance. Parliamentary accountability is maintained through evidence sessions with the Defence Select Committee and the Public Accounts Committee.

Notable procurements and projects

The minister has overseen several high-value and strategically critical programmes. These include the ongoing delivery of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and the Dreadnought-class submarine programme, the successor to the Vanguard-class submarine. Other major projects under the minister's purview have been the Ajax armoured vehicle programme, the Type 26 frigate construction by BAE Systems, and the Future Combat Air System initiative. The role also encompasses the procurement of advanced munitions, cyber capabilities, and support for ongoing operations, ensuring platforms like the Eurofighter Typhoon and the RAF Voyager remain effective. The minister is central to navigating the challenges of these complex acquisitions within the constraints of the United Kingdom defence budget.

Category:Ministers of State in the Ministry of Defence Category:Defence procurement in the United Kingdom Category:Defence ministers of the United Kingdom