Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Unmanned Marine Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98875More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made in delivering the cobalt autonomy stack for the Royal Navy.
Answer: Under Atlantic Bastion, announced in the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy will be exploiting new technologies through a portfolio of crewed and uncrewed vehicles, sensors and nodes. The Cobalt Autonomy Stack acts as an autonomy and mission control...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Marine Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98874More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the SG-1 Fathom will be brought into service.
Answer: Under Atlantic Bastion, announced in the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy (RN) will be exploiting new technologies through a portfolio of crewed and uncrewed vehicles, sensors and nodes. Helsing, who make the SG-1 Fathom, conducted a technology de...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordHelicopter Carriers: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98873More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the full scope of Project NYX.
Answer: Project NYX is a demonstrator to validate the concept of a Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform. Public information is available via the Defence Sourcing Portal, the Ministry of Defence’s tendering platform, and Find a Tender service. The competition fo...
Answered 19 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordPolice: ReformHome OfficeTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98872More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish the police reform white paper.
Answer: A Police Reform White Paper is being developed in partnership with policing. This is a comprehensive package of reform to policing in England and Wales that will strip out duplication and waste and ensure policing can keep up with the fast-changing nature...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordProof of Identity: Digital TechnologyCabinet OfficeTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98871More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing the Government’s Digital ID scheme.
Answer: I refer the honourable Member to my answer to PQ93098.
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: NoiseMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98243More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel have failed hearing assessments after operating as vehicle crew within (a) roles and( b) units equipped with an (i) Ajax and (ii) Ajax-platform vehicle.
Answer: It will take time to collate and review the information needed to answer the hon. Member's question. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98242More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what element of Ajax Initial Operating Capability was declared by General Dynamics on 23 July 2025.
Answer: The Initial Operating Capability for the Ajax Programme was not declared by General Dynamics on 23 July 2025.
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98241More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2025 to question 88991 on Ajax Vehicles: Noise, on what date he received written assurances that Ajax was safe to operate from the (a) Chief of the Defence Staff and (b) Natio
Answer: The safety of Service personnel remains the top priority for Defence. As previously confirmed, prior to Ajax Initial Operating Capability being announced, assurances were provided regarding the safety of the platform. I have commissioned a Ministerial rev...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98240More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what vehicles other than the Ajax platform within the Army’s armoured fleet can fulfil the armoured reconnaissance role; and at which formation level.
Answer: There are no other platforms within the Army’s armoured fleet which can fulfil the armoured reconnaissance role; Ajax has been specifically designed for this purpose.
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNorway: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98221More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under the Lunna House Agreement, by when does he plan to deliver innovative offshore support vessels, which will act as motherships for uncrewed mine hunting and undersea warfare systems.
Answer: The Lunna House announcement on 4 December 2025 highlighted the UK's intent, conveyed to the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Støre, to deliver the Offshore Support Vessel as the mothership for the Mine Hunting Capability programme. The delivery and in ser...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNorway: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98220More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under the Lunna House Agreement, by when will the Royal Navy adopt advanced Norwegian naval strike missiles and what existing capability will they replace.
Answer: The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is a Norwegian anti-ship and land attack missile, which has been acquired for the Royal Navy’s escort force. It replaces the Harpoon anti-ship missile, which went out of service in December 2023. The NSM is 20 years newer, h...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNorway: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98219More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release titled UK and Norway to operate together to counter Russian undersea threat through major new defence agreement, published on 4th December 2025, by when does he expect a combin
Answer: The Type 26 frigates are expected to begin entering service from 2028, to be operated by the UK and Norwegian Navies. This is part of a carefully managed modernisation programme. There will also be significant long-term investment in the six Daring Class ...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordChallenger TanksMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98218More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Challenger 2 tanks have now begun conversion to Challenger 3.
Answer: There are 285 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks in service in the British Army. The Ministry of Defence does not break down equipment numbers further due to operational sensitivity. Eight vehicles are allocated to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) for the ...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordChallenger TanksMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98217More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Challenger 2 tanks remain in service with cavalry regiments following the donation of tanks to Ukraine and the conversion programme to Challenger 3.
Answer: There are 285 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks in service in the British Army. The Ministry of Defence does not break down equipment numbers further due to operational sensitivity. Eight vehicles are allocated to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) for the ...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUSA: DefenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98216More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Security Strategy of the United States of America, published on 5th December 2025, what assessment has he made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of a US re
Answer: Whilst it is for the United States (US) to answer questions about the specifics of their own National Security Strategy, the UK will continue to work closely with the US to strengthen Euro-Atlantic security through NATO, support Ukraine, and deepen our co...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNorway: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98215More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under the Lunna House Agreement what deeper industrial collaboration between the UK and Norway does he plan to achieve.
Answer: Under the Lunna House Agreement, our vision for the combined T26 fleet is to be as integrated and interoperable as possible, which opens opportunity for UK and Norway industrial cooperation to spirally develop the vessels and deliver the in-service suppor...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98214More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the adequacy of the safety assurances the Chief of the General Staff gave the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry regarding the Initial Operating Capability status of the Aj
Answer: The safety of Service personnel remains the top priority for Defence. As previously confirmed, prior to Ajax Initial Operating Capability being announced, assurances were provided regarding the safety of the platform. I have commissioned a Ministerial rev...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98213More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by when does he expect the results of the a) army inquiry and b) safety investigation into the Ajax programme.
Answer: We will always put the safety of our personnel first; therefore, it is appropriate that the investigations are given adequate time to allow the underlying issues to be identified. I will provide a written update to the House before the end of term.
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98212More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the selection of the Leonardo AW149 as the British Army New Medium Helicopter, what is the total value and size of the contract.
Answer: A formal decision on the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) competition has not yet been made. The second stage of the NMH competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98211More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the selection of the Leonardo AW149 as the British Army New Medium Helicopter, a) how many platforms will be purchased, in b) how many tranches and c) over what delivery timeline.
Answer: A formal decision on the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) competition has not yet been made. The second stage of the NMH competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSubmarines: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98210More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many submarines are due to be dismantled under the Submarine Dismantling Programme.
Answer: I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s interest in this area. There is currently one decommissioned submarine undergoing dismantling at Rosyth Dockyard (HMS Swiftsure). A further 22 decommissioned submarines are awaiting disposal: six are at Rosyth Dockyard, all ...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordFrigates: ShipbuildingMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98209More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the status of all Royal Navy frigates under construction and when is the first due to come into service.
Answer: As of December 2025, the Royal Navy has five of eight Type 26 City-class frigates and three of five Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates under construction at BAES and Babcock shipyards. The first Type 26, HMS Glasgow, is expected to enter service in the la...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordFrigatesMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the decommissioning of HMS Lancaster, how many frigates are (a) in service and (b) undergoing maintenance with the Royal Navy.
Answer: Following the decommissioning of HMS Lancaster, the Royal Navy will have seven frigates in service, one frigate (HMS KENT) is currently undergoing planned deep maintenance. New Type 26 and Type 31 frigates are in build in Scotland currently.
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUSA: Intelligence ServicesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98201More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the National Security Strategy of the United States of America, published on 5 December 2025, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of the US
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on 3 December.
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97968More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of funding SEND provision from within her Department’s existing RDEL core budget of £69 billion in 2028-29 on provision of existing Educational resources.
Answer: The government has set out its position on page 105 of the budget document, confirming that special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) pressure will be absorbed within the overall government departmental expenditure limits (DEL) budget from the fin...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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