Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
HMS Prince of Wales: Military AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113949More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what United States Marine Corps aviation assets will operate from HMS Prince of Wales during Operation Firecrest.
Answer: Operation FIRECREST will be delivered by the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales. I am unable to provide further detail of Operation FIRECREST in order to maintain the Operational Security of His Majesty's Armed Forces.
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Arctic and North Atlantic OceanMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113948More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Operation Firecrest will a) commence and b) end.
Answer: Operation FIRECREST will be delivered by the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales. I am unable to provide further detail of Operation FIRECREST in order to maintain the Operational Security of His Majesty's Armed Forces.
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Arctic and North Atlantic OceanMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113947More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the UK contribution is to Operation Firecrest.
Answer: Operation FIRECREST will be delivered by the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales. I am unable to provide further detail of Operation FIRECREST in order to maintain the Operational Security of His Majesty's Armed Forces.
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLeonardo: ContractsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113946More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many contracts have been awarded to Leonardo since 1 January 2026; and what the whole life value of those contracts is.
Answer: The Department has awarded two contracts to Leonardo, both commencing after 1 January 2026, with current total values of £4,795,802 and £24,963,000.
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113945More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by what date SONUS acoustic weapon detection will be issued to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery.
Answer: The SONUS system is an Acoustic Weapon Locating capability and part of a wider programme which is delivering the next generation of Weapon Locating Systems. The first SONUS equipment delivery date has been accelerated and is now currently scheduled for ea...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChildminding: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113939More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the removal of the 10% Wear and Tear allowance on childminders transitioning to Making Tax Digital.
Answer: Childminders make a significant contribution to children’s development, learning, and wellbeing. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases ...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113938More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026 to question 111937, what the respective views on the issue of sovereignty at that time were.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 109314 on 09 February 2026.
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMauritius: MinistersForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113937More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026 to question 111937, which Ministers were present at the meetings with Mauritius in a) January and b) July 2009.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 109314 on 09 February 2026.
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113936More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026 to question 111937, what the outcome was of the meetings with Mauritius in a) January and b) July 2009 on the sovereignty of the Br
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 109314 on 09 February 2026.
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNATO: Baltic SeaMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113935More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what he plans to commit to NATO’s Task Force X Baltic.
Answer: The UK is fully committed to NATO’s broader deterrence posture in the Baltic region, demonstrated through our significant contributions across air, maritime, and land domains. This includes our Forward Land Force commitment in Estonia, regular participati...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS Queen ElizabethMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113934More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Queen Elizabeth will be seaworthy.
Answer: HMS Queen Elizabeth entered dry dock in Rosyth on 29 August 2025 to undertake planned maintenance. Information relating to the maintenance status and movements of warships are not published to avoid compromising operational security.
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS Queen ElizabethMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113933More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Queen Elizabeth entered dry-dock.
Answer: HMS Queen Elizabeth entered dry dock in Rosyth on 29 August 2025 to undertake planned maintenance. Information relating to the maintenance status and movements of warships are not published to avoid compromising operational security.
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on delivering Support Weapons Enhanced Sighting Systems.
Answer: Over the past three years, the Support Weapons Enhanced Sighting Systems project has delivered a range of enhanced capabilities to the UK's Armed Forces which are now in service on systems including Heavy Machine Gun, Grenade Machine Gun, and General-Purp...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordGlobal Combat Air ProgrammeMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113931More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the approval of Italy’s €8.77 billion in initial funding on the progress of the Global Combat Air Programme.
Answer: All three trilateral partners are making significant investments in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), with the partnership itself designed to enhance affordability through shared development and delivery. The precise investment profiles of our inter...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: RedundancyMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113930More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 13 February 2026 to question 111268 on Ministry of Defence: Redundancy, how many civil service redundancies within his Department he plans to achieve through a) the targeted voluntary ex
Answer: Applications for the voluntary exit scheme closed on 23 January 2026. This is not a redundancy process but provides eligible employees with the opportunity to leave the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on a voluntary basis. The scheme is targeted at specific in-...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: RedundancyMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113929More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 13 February 2026 to question 111268 on Ministry of Defence: Redundancy, when the targeted voluntary exit scheme launched on 6 January 2026 will close.
Answer: Applications for the voluntary exit scheme closed on 23 January 2026. This is not a redundancy process but provides eligible employees with the opportunity to leave the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on a voluntary basis. The scheme is targeted at specific in-...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113928More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of replacing the Royal Navy’s Automated Small Calibre Gun.
Answer: The Automated Small Calibre Gun (ASCG) continues to provide a reliable, stabilised, and remotely‑operated capability for close‑in defence across a range of Royal Navy (RN) platforms. As part of routine capability planning, the RN is assessing future requi...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: North Atlantic OceanMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113399More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when does he expect the UK’s commitment to Atlantic Strike to commence.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the response to Question 98877 provided on 18 December 2026.
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordQuantum Technology: RadarMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113398More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made in developing a Quantum Radar capability.
Answer: Defence quantum experts within Defence Science and Technology (DST), the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) work closely with our international allies and partners in wider Government, industry and aca...
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordPrisons: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of JusticeTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113397More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the press release Battlefield tactics to inspire UK fight against prison drones, published on 16 January 2026, how many prisons across the prison estate currently have access to active counter-U
Answer: We are working hard to deter, detect and disrupt the illegal use of drones that deliver contraband so that prisoners have access to a safe and stable rehabilitative environment. Our approach is multi-faceted and includes physical security countermeasures,...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordPrisons: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of JusticeTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113396More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what counter-Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities are available to HM Prison and Probation Service staff.
Answer: We are working hard to deter, detect and disrupt the illegal use of drones that deliver contraband so that prisoners have access to a safe and stable rehabilitative environment. Our approach is multi-faceted and includes physical security countermeasures,...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChallenger TanksMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113356More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total planned number of Challenger 3 tanks for Royal Armoured Corps Regiments.
Answer: 148 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks are being upgraded to the Challenger 3 standard. All 148 are for the Royal Armoured Corps.
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChallenger TanksMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113354More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total planned number of tanks to be upgraded to Challenger 3.
Answer: 148 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks are being upgraded to the Challenger 3 standard. All 148 are for the Royal Armoured Corps.
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Intelligence: Digital TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113336More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 110953 on Military Intelligence: Digital Technology, when does he expect the SCC to be fully operational.
Answer: Secret Community Cloud capability will continue to be delivered on a phased basis, with Full Operating Capability expected in Autumn 2026.
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ModernisationMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113335More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to question 110522 on Ajax Vehicles: Modernisation, when he expects the Ajax-family vehicles due to reach Drop 3 standard by October 2028 reach Drop 4 standard.
Answer: All 589 Ajax family vehicles will reach Capability Drop 4 by September 2029 as contracted, subject to reviews that are ongoing.
Answered 24 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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