To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new (a) cluster munitions and (b) weapons employing explosive submunitions the Government are in the process of (i) developing and (ii) procuring. (157363)

There is no internationally recognised definition for a cluster munition; this is the subject of ongoing negotiations under UN auspices. However, we have no plans to develop or procure new munitions falling under the UK’s current working definition of a cluster munition.

In terms of new weapons that employ submunitions technology, we are developing a Ballistic Sensor Fused Munition—a 155 mm gun-launched shell containing two explosive sub-munitions, each having target detecting sensors and a self-destruct system.