Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
3453 published records · newest first.
Written questions
F-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125439More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to maintain a fleet of 138 F-35B Lightning II aircraft; and whether he plans to use future tranches of F-35B Lighting II aircraft to replace F-35B Lighting II aircraft that are currently in servi
Answer: Decisions will be taken across the life of the Programme. We are working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan, which will take forward the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125438More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he remains committed to procuring a total order of 138 F-35B Lightning II aircraft.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence remains committed to procuring 138 F-35 Lightning aircraft across the life of the Programme.
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125437More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 56964 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, on what dates did the Royal Air Force receive the remaining F-35B Lightning II aircraft.
Answer: On 13 March 2026, the UK accepted its 48th F-35B aircraft.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: ShippingMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125436More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's joint press notice entitled Shadow fleet set to be interdicted in UK waters in latest blow to Russia, published on 25 March 2026, how many Russian shadow fleet vessels under UK
Answer: We will not go into specifics on our assessments as this could compromise our ability to successfully take action against these ships, only benefitting our adversaries.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125435More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Government's press notice entitled Shadow fleet set to be interdicted in UK waters in latest blow to Russia, published on 25 March 2026, how many of the Russian shadow fleet vessels under
Answer: Deterring and disrupting the Russian shadow fleet, including those subject to sanctions, is a priority for the UK. The UK Government constantly monitors UK waters to ensure the safety of mariners, protect the marine environment and uphold the UK’s nation...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBelgium: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125434More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled UK and Belgium sign multi-million pound Mission Data partnership, published on 31 March 2026, by when he plans to agree a burden-sharing model with Belgium.
Answer: The burden‑sharing arrangements for the UK–Belgium Mission Data programme were agreed as part of the Memorandum of Understanding underpinning the partnership.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNorway: WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125433More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has held with his Norwegian counterparts on the potential procurement of the new class of standardised naval vessels developed for the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency by Kongsberg Defence &
Answer: The UK has a close defence relationship with Norway and under the Lunna House Agreement holds regular discussions with Norwegian counterparts on a range of maritime capability and industrial matters. Any future procurement considerations will be subject t...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGuided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125432More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which other missile programmes, beyond Meteor, will be coordinated through the new joint Complex Weapons Portfolio Office.
Answer: The joint Portfolio Office will not be responsible for coordinating the Meteor missile programme. As set out in the Lancaster House 2.0 Declaration, the joint Complex Weapons Portfolio Office will support activities related to SCALP/Storm Shadow acquisiti...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordUruguay: WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125431More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to sell the three River-class Batch I OPVs, a) HMS Tyne, b) HMS Mersey and c) HMS Severn to the Uruguayan Navy when they go out of service in 2028.
Answer: All Batch 1 Offshore Patrol Vessels remain in service with the Royal Navy. The Ministry of Defence has received multiple expressions of interest to purchase the vessels once they leave service, which it is considering.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125429More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Russian use of the Chinese Shennong Shield-3000 mobile high-energy laser directed energy weapon on Taskforce Kindred’s efforts to support Ukrainian armed
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 recordArmed Forces: Body ArmourMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125428More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps is he taking to ensure that future body armour for British service personnel is resistant to small arms ammunition with tungsten carbide cores.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence routinely assesses emerging and evolving small‑arms threats as part of its ongoing responsibility to protect Service personnel. The specific threats against which UK body armour is designed to provide protection are held at a highe...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy: Body ArmourMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125427More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the adoption of the (a) 6.8mm x 50mm round and (b) QBZ-191 rifle by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army on British Army body armour.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence routinely assesses emerging and evolving small‑arms threats as part of its ongoing responsibility to protect Service personnel. The specific threats against which UK body armour is designed to provide protection are held at a highe...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy: Body ArmourMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125426More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the adoption of the (a) 6.02mm x 41mm round and (b) AK22 rifle in Russian military service on British Army body armour.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence routinely assesses emerging and evolving small‑arms threats as part of its ongoing responsibility to protect Service personnel. The specific threats against which UK body armour is designed to provide protection are held at a highe...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: Diplomatic RelationsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125425More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 24 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy - Public Summary, by when he plans to (a) commence and (b) conclude the underpinning review.
Answer: Due to the size and complexity of Defence’s intelligence partnerships, this work is already underway and is being carried out in stages rather than as a one‑off, time‑limited review. The aim is to ensure that intelligence sharing supports Defence’s intern...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDefenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125424More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the Integrated Global Defence Network review options to be presented to Ministers.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review directed review of the Integrated Global Defence Network is currently in progress and is scheduled for completion shortly. The benefits identified during the review will be shared after its completion.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Body ArmourMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125423More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made on Project Catherina.
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 recordBelgium: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125422More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and Belgium sign multi-million pound Mission Data partnership, published on 31 March 2026, by what date does he plan to establish a sovereign Joint Ele
Answer: Further to the Department’s press release entitled “UK and Belgium sign multi‑million pound Mission Data partnership”, published on 31 March 2026, the Programme is expected to deliver a fully functional and sustainably supported Belgian Joint Electromagne...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBelgium: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125421More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and Belgium sign multi-million pound Mission Data partnership, published on 31 March 2026, what collaboration with Belgium on the General Atomics MQ-9B
Answer: The UK and Belgium are the founding partnership nations of the MQ-9 International Cooperation Support Partnership which, now also includes Canada, Denmark, Germany, and Poland. Collaboration through this partnership enhances the capability through the sha...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBelgium: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125420More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and Belgium sign multi-million pound Mission Data partnership, published on 31 March 2026, what is the total value of Belgian investment over five year
Answer: The maximum financial contribution for Belgium is €150 million. This is inclusive of VAT and other taxes, customs duties and similar charges, and accounts for inflation.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGuided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125419More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of the the Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework.
Answer: The Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework (HTCDF) is a bespoke £1b billion Commercial Agile Route to Market to facilitate a spiralled approach to technology development through to a sovereign capability.The framework covers a broad ...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGuided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125418More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of the Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation Project Arrangement.
Answer: The Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation (HyFliTE) Project Arrangement, a milestone agreement signed between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to accelerate the testing of hypersonic vehicles and related technologies, aims to rapid...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125366More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2026 to Question 123068 on Navy: Guided Weapons, in which month in 2026 will his Department deliver the Minimum Viable Product of the Digital Targeting Web.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) to Question 96241 on 10 December 2025. The Department will deliver the first elements of the Digital Targeting Web, or a 'Minimum Viable Product', in 202...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNational Security CouncilMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125365More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out which current operations have been endorsed by the National Security Council.
Answer: Decisions to undertake military operations are taken in accordance with established constitutional and governance arrangements. The National Security Council considers the strategic approach to national security, foreign policy, resilience, international ...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFrance: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125364More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's announcement entitled UK and France sign agreement to develop next-generation air-to-air missile, published on 1 April 2026, by what date when will he establish the new joint Co
Answer: As set out in the Department's announcement of 1 April 2026, the United Kingdom and France have agreed to establish a joint Complex Weapons Portfolio Office. Work is now actively underway with the French Government to establish the office and agree a comm...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFrance: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125363More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by what date will he establish the joint road map with France to develop the successor to the Meteor missile.
Answer: The United Kingdom and France have agreed to undertake a joint study for the development of next‑generation air‑to‑air weapon concepts. The content and precise timing for any future roadmap to replace Meteor will be informed by the outcomes of this analys...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →