§ Mr. GodsiffTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which defence-related projects in the UK are supported by(a) the US Defense Advanced Projects Agency and (b) the US Office for Naval Research; what funding is being made available in each case; and what the actual or intended benefit to the UK is in each case. [182013]
§ Mr. IngramIn keeping with our strong defence relationship with the United States of America. the United Kingdom works closely with the US Government on a range of defence projects and has dealings with both the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Office of Naval Research.
Currently the Office of Naval Research is involved in collaborative programmes with the UK on antisubmarine warfare and unmanned underwater vehicle technologies. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency does not currently lead any of the collaborative programmes with the UK but may contribute indirectly through projects led by one of the US Armed Services.
These collaborative links are to our mutual benefit, enhancing the military capabilities of both our nations and improving our ability to operate alongside one another. Typically, such collaborative activities involve both parties pooling the outputs of respective national defence research activities, on an equitable basis.
It is unusual for the US Government to directly support or fund UK defence projects. The US does contract directly with UK companies and academia in support of their own defence programmes, but details of these contracts are a matter for the US Government.