Former Joint Forces Commander to give evidence to Lords Defence inquiry
Monday 17 October 2022
On Wednesday 19 October the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee will hear from General Sir Christopher Deverell, former Commander at Joint Forces Command as part of its continuing inquiry Defence concepts and capabilities: from aspiration to reality. The Committee will also hear from defence industry senior executives experienced in providing defence related products and technological services.
The session will explore themes including the obstacles and challenges facing the defence industry in the UK and spending priorities for any increased defence budget.
The session will start at 10.30am and will be available to watch live or on demand on Parliament TV or attend in person in Committee Room 4A, Palace of Westminster.
Giving evidence will be:
10.30am
- Kevin Craven, Chief Executive Officer, ADS Group and;
- Oliver Lewis, Cofounder, Rebellion Defence.
11.30am
- General Sir Christopher Deverell, Commander of Joint Forces Command (2016- 19).
Questions will include:
- What would you identify as the key expectations of the defence industry from UK Government, particularly the Ministry of Defence? And likewise, what should the MoD be able to expect from industry?
- What is it like doing business with the Ministry of Defence? What are the main challenges or obstacles identified by the industry – and conversely, is there anything the MoD does well?
- What is your assessment of the UK’s defence industrial capacity within the context of the challenges presented by the war in Ukraine? How can it be improved?
- What changes, if any, would you advocate for in any update to the Integrated Review? What should any new Review focus on, and what should be abandoned?
- The Prime Minister has also reiterated her campaign commitment to increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030. What should be the spending priorities for an increased defence budget? In light of the current inflationary environment and sterling weakness, how much uplift is needed to deliver a real increase in military capability?
• You have previously served as Commander of Joint Forces Command, now Strategic Command. What is your assessment of its role and achievements? How does it interact with the single-service commands and MOD Main Building? Does it need more or less responsibility, or is the current balance about right?
