Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Type 45 Destroyers: ModernisationMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125518More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of a modernisation programme for Type 45 in order to facilitate hybrid operations.
Answer: A range of options to enable the Royal Navy to transition to a Hybrid Fleet of crewed and uncrewed platforms is under consideration as part of the Defence Investment Programme.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCommittee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and MedalsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125517More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when was the last meeting of the Advisory Military Sub-Committee.
Answer: The Advisory Military Sub-Committee last met on 21 November 2025.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125516More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made in procuring the Peregrine drone helicopter for the Royal Navy.
Answer: The Peregrine Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System was procured in 2024 and reached its In Service Date on 30 June 2025. It was successfully deployed to the Gulf region with HMS LANCASTER and is being reconfigured in the UK into a containerised solution to ena...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: Meteor MissilesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125515More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 52037 on F-35 Aircraft: Meteor Missiles, what progress he has made in achieving the integration of the MBDA Meteor ramjet-powered air-to-air missile with F-35B th
Answer: Integration of the MBDA Meteor ramjet-powered air-to-air missile with F-35B is driven by the US-led Lightning II Joint Programme Office. Integration testing continues and the estimated timeline for in-service capability remains the early 2030s.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: HousingMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125514More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52039 on Armed Forces: Housing, how many void properties are in Huntingdon constituency for which the latest data is available.
Answer: As at 13 April 2026, there are 99 void Service Family Accommodation properties in the Huntingdon constituency.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125513More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made in updating the UK F-35B fleet with Block 4 modifications.
Answer: We do not routinely comment on detailed delivery schedules. However, the Block 4 upgrade programme continues, it did not impact the declaration of Lightning Full Operating Capability. The Block 4 upgrade programme will further develop our world leading Co...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAircraft Carriers: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125512More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2925 to Question 51565 on Aircraft Carriers: Unmanned Air Systems, what plans does he have to modify the General Atomics MQ-9 to operate from Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.
Answer: The General Atomics MQ9 and similar uncrewed systems remain under consideration for the Carrier Strike Airborne Early Warning requirement, consistent with the Royal Navy’s development of a Hybrid Air Wing. The investment decisions to support Strategic Def...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAircraft Carriers: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125511More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 51565 on Aircraft Carriers: Unmanned Air Systems, what progress he has made in assessing the potential merits of General Atomics MQ-9 as a candidate for the Royal
Answer: The General Atomics MQ9 and similar uncrewed systems remain under consideration for the Carrier Strike Airborne Early Warning requirement, consistent with the Royal Navy’s development of a Hybrid Air Wing. The investment decisions to support Strategic Def...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125510More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made in procuring a replacement for the Viking T1 glider.
Answer: We are reviewing a Life Extension Plan for the Viking T1 glider. As such, there is currently no requirement to replace the glider.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRivet Joint AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125509More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made in procuring a replacement for Rivet Joint.
Answer: All spending decisions for the next ten years will be confirmed in the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRAF Molesworth: ConstructionMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125508More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 44689 on RAF Molesworth: Construction, if he will set out the payment terms for construction and maintenance work for United States Visiting Forces projects tha
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) initially meets all costs for construction and maintenance work on United States Visiting Forces (USVF) projects. The timing of payments to contractors depends on the terms agreed in each contract. Once the MOD has paid the c...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMarines: Rescue ServicesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125507More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out the level of combat search and rescue capability of the Royal Marines Joint Personnel Recovery.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence does not routinely comment on combat search and rescue capabilities for reasons of operational security.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS BulwarkMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125506More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current status of HMS Bulwark.
Answer: HMS Bulwark is undergoing regeneration as part of its disposal process in Devonport currently. The Ministry of Defence will make further announcements about HMS Bulwark in due course.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNATO: IndustryMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125505More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made in meeting the NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge.
Answer: The NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge, agreed by Allies at the Washington Summit in July 2024, commits NATO to strengthening defence industrial capacity and resilience across the Alliance. The UK is actively supporting delivery of the Pledge throu...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordUSA: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125504More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 36208 on USA: Military Alliances, what discussions he has held with his US counterparts on the ongoing commitment of the United States to the European Reassuranc
Answer: The Defence Secretary speaks with his US counterpart regularly on a range of topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our two nations. However, they have not recently discussed the US’ European Reassurance Initiative.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125503More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with (a) Boeing, (b) BAE Systems and (c) Aermacchi on procuring a new fast-jet trainer for the Royal Air Force since 1 April 2025.
Answer: Routine engagement has occurred across the industry to inform future investment. We are working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan, which will confirm funding for the next ten years.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHawk AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125502More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the finite fatigue index of each remaining Hawk T1 aircraft.
Answer: Across all Hawk T1 airframes we have retained sufficient overall remaining available fatigue life to enable Red Arrows tasking until 2030 as planned.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125501More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the Russian Bagulnik-82 120mm mortar UGV as a potential threat to British forces in Estonia and Ukraine.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine on the sharing of knowledge and insights to ensure that our support meets Ukraine's priority requirements and that the Armed Forces of Ukraine is responding effectively to th...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125446More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference his Department's press release entitled Development of battle-winning hypersonic technology accelerated under new AUKUS deal, published on 18 November 2024, what progress he has made since in devel
Answer: The Ministry of Defence's Hypersonics programme intends to deliver a weapon demonstrator by 2030. Under the current Strategic Outline Case approval, the current phase is planned to report in early 2027, which will inform future choices. The UK spent more ...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWarships: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125445More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many ships are planned to be delivered via the Multi-Role Strike Ship (MRSS) programme.
Answer: In his speech to DSEI in September 2025, the First Sea Lord set out that the Multi Role Strike Ship (MRSS) concept would fundamentally change to have uncrewed capabilities at their heart, but be more modular, resilient, dispersed and powerful. These chang...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWarships: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125444More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what date does he plan to launch the competitive design phase of the Multi-Role Strike Ship (MRSS) programme.
Answer: In his speech to DSEI in September 2025, the First Sea Lord set out that the Multi Role Strike Ship (MRSS) concept would fundamentally change to have uncrewed capabilities at their heart, but be more modular, resilient, dispersed and powerful. These chang...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWarships: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125443More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when does he expect to deliver the Common Command Vessel for the Royal Navy.
Answer: Future capability plans for the Royal Navy are subject to the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125442More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential military applications of Vertical Aerosoace’s G-EVTA demonstrator further to its first piloted thrustborne transition on 6 April 2026.
Answer: The MOD encourages innovation in the aerospace sector. Capability and Innovation staff continually monitor the civil aerospace market for innovation which may have future military application against our requirements. The Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) hos...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125441More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the F-35B Lightning II to have reached full operating capability.
Answer: Full Operating Capability (FOC) for Carrier Strike, which incorporated F-35B Lightning II FOC, was announced by the Secretary of State for Defence on 17 November 2025.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125440More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by what date will the F-35B Lightning II graduate from the major projects portfolio.
Answer: The F-35B Lightning II programme graduated from the Government Major Projects Portfolio on 1 April 2026.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
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