Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Armed ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5104More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the doctrinal difference between Armoured Cavalry and Reconnaissance regiments.
Answer: Armoured Cavalry form part of the Reconnaissance regiments and deliver reconnaissance functions using armoured vehicles. They provide the same doctrinal output as other reconnaissance regiments, such as Light Cavalry, which conduct reconnaissance from lig...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBoxer Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5103More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, does it remain the case that the 1st Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, is still planned to be the first Boxer unit.
Answer: I am delighted that the 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers has already received the Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle and was the first Army unit to do so, in April 2026.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5102More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 45186 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, as of 1 June 2026 is the Departmental budget for the F-35 Lightning Programme as per the Integrated Review Defence Co
Answer: The Integrated Review Defence Command Paper 2021 only confirmed the Programme of Record to complete the first Procurement Phase of 48 aircraft as laid out in the Government Major Projects Programme. This has now completed. Spending decisions on future cap...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordUSA: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5101More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the repayment terms for construction and maintenance work carried out to bases used by US forces.
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 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordUkraine: DefenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5100More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 44679 on Ukraine: Defence, what progress he has made in (a) accelerating, (b) developing and (c) deepening (i) UK defence industrial capacity and capabili
Answer: Task Force HIRST has supported the development of a strong defence industrial partnership with Ukraine, helping to ensure Ukraine prevails and enhancing the UK's wider defence partnerships, including joint development and interoperability. It has driven n...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5099More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many fast jet pilots have qualified in the (a) RAF and (b) Royal Navy in each year since 2016.
Answer: I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or the security of the Armed Forces.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: CrewMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many qualified fast jet pilots have left the (a) RAF and (b) Royal Navy in each year since 2016.
Answer: I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft and Typhoon Aircraft: CrewMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5097More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many pilots are needed to qualify on (a) Typhoon and (b) F-35B Lightning each year.
Answer: I am withholding the information as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5096More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many pilots are in the fast jet pilot training pipeline between Cranwell and being posted to frontline squadrons as fully qualified pilots.
Answer: As of 1 June 2026, there were 119 trainee fast jet pilots in the fast jet training pipeline between Royal Air Force (RAF) Cranwell and commencing a front-line Operational Conversion Unit.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5095More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the backlog is of fast jet pilots in the training pipeline.
Answer: As of 1 June 2026, there were 36 trainee fast jet pilots on a holdover between UK Military Flying Training System courses, and 12 trainee fast jet pilots who are waiting to commence their front-line Operational Conversion Unit.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5094More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what fast jet trainers are used to teach Royal Air Force pilots at the International Flight Training School at Decimomannu air base.
Answer: The Leonardo M-346 training aircraft is used to teach Royal Air Force pilots at the International Flight Training School (IFTS) at Decimomannu Air Base in Sardinia, Italy.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordUkraine: DefenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5093More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the answer of 28 April 2025 to question 44679 on Ukraine: Defence, what new technology has emerged as an outcome via the work of Task Force HIRST.
Answer: The Secretary of State for Defence continues close engagement with Ukraine to deepen UK-Ukraine defence industrial cooperation. Through HIRST's Framework Arrangement and close collaboration with Task Force KINDRED, we are continually identifying opportuni...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5092More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, the average length of time for an individual to qualify as a fast jet pilot since 2016.
Answer: Since 2016 the average length of time for an individual to complete their Phase 2 flying training within the UK Military Flying Training System and commence their front-line Operational Conversion Unit was 67 months. For trainee fast jet pilots who comple...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5091More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to reduce the time taken to fully qualify as a fast jet pilot.
Answer: Improvements are made continuously to the UK Military Flying Training System to ensure pipelines remain optimised to deliver world-class training to our next generation of aircrew. By integrating mixed reality into the training pipeline as part of Phase 1...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordThales: Industrial DisputesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5090More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to mitigate the impact of potential strike action by Thales employees in a) Govan and b) Reading.
Answer: Matters relating to Thales’ pay offer to its employees is a matter for the company. However, the Ministry of Defence continues to engage with Thales to ensure continued delivery for Defence.
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5089More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has held with Cook Defence Systems on procuring new tracks for the Ajax fleet.
Answer: I am not aware of any discussions between the Ministry of Defence and Cook Defence Systems regarding the procurement of new tracks for the Ajax fleet. The original procurement of Ajax tracks was undertaken through General Dynamics Land Systems–UK (GDLS-UK...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: CybersecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5086More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the requirement to attain IASME certification on separate entities within the same business.
Answer: The Department applies a proportionate, risk‑based framework, with Defence Cyber Certification using Cyber Essentials as a baseline. The Department requires higher levels of assurance only where appropriate in order to minimise unnecessary administrative ...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5085More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the Patria 6x6 CAVS 120mm mortar variant to replace the Bulldog in Armoured and Mechanised Infantry battalions.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 102953 on 8 January, which remains extant and explains that the replacement for Bulldog is being considered under the Land Mobility Programme.
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5084More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Patria 6x6 CAVS variant procured by the Army will have amphibious capabilities.
Answer: The Army’s Heavy Protected Mobility Programme remains in its concept phase and is currently evaluating the Finnish led Common Armoured Vehicles System (CAVS) Programme’s Patria 6x6. As part of this, a breadth of capabilities will be considered, and on cur...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBoxer Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5083More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Boxer Tracked as a replacement for Warrior IFV.
Answer: The Department continues to monitor the market for potential future platforms; however, a tracked Boxer capability as a replacement for Warrior has not been formally assessed by the UK.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAntitank Missiles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5082More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to upgrade the Javelin anti-tank weapon to the new Lightweight Command Launch Unit.
Answer: Orders for the Lightweight Command Launch Unit (LwCLU) have been placed with the US Government. These are the next generation of the Javelin Command Launch Unit which the UK currently operates.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: FirearmsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5081More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many a) lost and b) stolen UK military firearms have been recovered in the last five years by year and weapon type.
Answer: The security of small arms is taken very seriously within the MOD, and we have robust procedures in place to deter, detect and prevent loss and theft which are constantly reviewed. Given the frequency and dynamic nature of military training, exercises and...
Answered 17 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: FirearmsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5080More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK military firearms have been a) lost and b) stolen and not recovered in the last five years by year and weapon type.
Answer: The security of small arms is taken very seriously within the MOD, and we have robust procedures in place to deter, detect and prevent loss and theft which are constantly reviewed. Given the frequency and dynamic nature of military training, exercises and...
Answered 17 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRiflesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5079More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifles have been (a) lost and (b) stolen since 5 July 2024.
Answer: The security of small arms is taken very seriously within the MOD, and we have robust procedures in place to deter, detect and prevent loss and theft which are constantly reviewed. Given the frequency and dynamic nature of military training, exercises and...
Answered 17 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRiflesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5078More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many SA80 rifles have been (a) lost and (b) stolen since 5 July 2024.
Answer: The security of small arms is taken very seriously within the MOD, and we have robust procedures in place to deter, detect and prevent loss and theft which are constantly reviewed. Given the frequency and dynamic nature of military training, exercises and...
Answered 17 Jun 2026
Original Parliament record
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