Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,041–2,060 of 2,619 · Ministry of Defence
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of widening the runway at RAF Akrotiri owing to the increased size of the aircraft that use the base.
No assessment has identified a current requirement to widen the runway at RAF Akrotiri. The existing runway infrastructure fully supports the current operational requirements of the station and remains compliant with the standards set out in the Military Aviation Authority's Regulatory Articles.
What is the full scope of Project IRIS.
The aim of Project IRIS was to ensure the Army has the future Land Command, Control, Communications, Computers & Intelligence (C4I) capability necessary to achieve its "New Way of Winning" vision and define the pathway to a data-driven Army, within the Land Domain Deployed Digital Ecosystem (LD3E) that is appropriately transformative, scalable, secure, resilient, agile and ultimately affordable and deliverable. The project formally concluded in 2024 and lessons are being applied across Army digital programmes. Detail regarding these lessons is sensitive and cannot be released as it would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
What progress the Defence Equipment and Support Space delivery team has made on researching alternatives to global positioning systems.
The Ministry of Defence continues to use GPS, but to ensure resilience we will continue to investigate alternatives. The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Space Delivery Team continue to progress the research into alternative Global Positioning Systems. Initial investigative activity on Alternative Position, Navigation and Timing technologies has concluded, identifying a range of potential solutions for Defence use in the future. The DE&S Space Delivery Team will further investigate the potential solutions, working closely with wider Government organisations that include the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
What was the outcome of Project Monet.
Project MONET delivered detailed reporting on the potential for emerging technologies to enhance Defence flying training which will inform future investment decisions.
Pursuant with reference to the Answer of 24 July 2025 to Question HL9397 on Typhoon Aircraft: Factories, what elements of the Typhoons expected to be ordered by Germany will be manufactured in the UK.
It is the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency who set the industrial sub-system production and workshare agreements across the partner nations. Through partner nation agreement, NETMA have set United Kingdom industrial workshare as 37%. Eurofighter GMBH manage its sub-system and component manufacturing orders from across the industrial base of each partner nation, in line with that workshare agreement percentage. Some of the major components that UK leads on the manufacturing include the front and rear fuselage, windscreen and canopy, fin and rudder, engine bay doors, foreplane and a range of major avionics systems.
What progress he has made on the Teutates programme.
The TEUTATES programme is part of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE). It includes the ongoing development of an interim firing point at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston site. The Technology Development Centre is also at AWE Aldermaston and is now being repurposed to support other programmes, having originally been constructed for TEUTATES.As set out in the DNE 2025 Annual Update to Parliament published on 22 May, the first X-rays by the UK-supplied Induction Voltage Adder machine were fired at the EPURE hydrodynamics facility in November 2024, marking an important Treaty milestone.I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that I am withholding cost estimates for the programme as release would prejudice international relations.
With reference to the Answer of 24 July 2025 to Question HL9397 on Typhoon Aircraft: Factories, what elements of the Typhoons ordered by Italy will be manufactured in the UK.
It is the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency who set the industrial sub-system production and workshare agreements across the partner nations. Through partner nation agreement, NETMA have set United Kingdom industrial workshare as 37%. Eurofighter GMBH manage its sub-system and component manufacturing orders from across the industrial base of each partner nation, in line with that workshare agreement percentage. Some of the major components that UK leads on the manufacturing include the front and rear fuselage, windscreen and canopy, fin and rudder, engine bay doors, foreplane and major avionics systems.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring General Atomics’ Gambit 5 uncrewed combat aerial vehicle.
The Royal Navy is exploring how Fixed Wing Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (FW ACPs) could augment F35B Lightning embarked in Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) carriers to provide additional strike capability. There are a number of emerging solutions for this capability and the Royal Navy will work collaboratively with the Royal Air Force to evaluate these solutions.
What steps the Royal Air Force’s NEXUS programme is taking to support battle space data transfer.
NEXUS is part of a broader shift towards cloud-based command and control - creating huge opportunities for improved use of our operational data. NEXUS offers a Government-owned approach to how we can share battle space data across air domain capabilities, across other domains and with allies and partners. NEXUS will provide improved situational awareness in order to execute missions in a timely and efficient manner. By ingesting multiple data feeds and transposing them into a common data layer, commanders will be provided with situational awareness of tactical and real-world information that can be manipulated by operators to provide timely information at the speed of relevance.
What is the planned in-service date of the Astraea A21 warhead.
As the hon. gentleman would understand, the expected out-of-service date for our current Mk4A nuclear warhead and the expected in-service date for Astraea are being withheld as release would prejudice national security.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of reconfiguring the European defence industrial base to facilitate (a) collaborative development, (b) shared production and (c) integrated logistics.
At this critical moment for the security of our continent, it is important that we work together with our European allies to strengthen our collective defence industrial base, recognising that the UK is an essential part of Europe’s security. As part of our recent Security and Defence partnership with the EU, we have agreed to explore closer co-operation and joint investment in our defence industrial base. In the first instance, the partnership creates a basis for broad consultations on defence readiness and defence industry. Preventing the fragmentation of the European defence markets is in the shared interests of the UK and the EU, both for our collective security and to allow our industry to collaborate, avoid duplication and increase standardisation.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the UK’s ability to defend itself against space-based critical national infrastructure attack.
The operational effectiveness of national space-based critical infrastructure is constantly being assessed against projected operational demands and emerging threats. Where necessary, adjustments are then made across the entire MoD Space enterprise to both ground- and space-based elements, wherever its most advantageous for preserving space infrastructure capabilities. UK Space Command’s mission remains to protect and defend national and military space interests, and enable UK forces to operate globally. UK Space Command continues to work closely with both cross-Government and international allies and partners, to secure its freedom of manoeuvre and access to the space domain. As the Strategic Defence Review set out, this Government is taking decisive steps to enhance the UK’s ability to deter threats in space and, if necessary, protect our systems. This includes playing a pivotal role in strengthening European security by investing in space control capabilities and deeper collaboration with NATO and allied partners.
What progress he has made on the submarine support project of the Naval Support Integrated Global Network programme.
The Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) Programme continues to progress through the Assessment Phase with the NSIGN (Submarines) Project Outline Business Case (OBC) approved April 2025 and Full Business Case approval expected in early 2026. Concept work is progressing with the NSIGN(Ships) and NSIGN (Naval Bases) Projects seeking OBC approval early and mid-2026 respectively. The NSIGN Projects will enable the Ministry of Defence to contract for Submarine and enabling Naval Base services delivered through Clyde and Devonport in March 2026 and for Ships and wider Naval Base services from October 2028, with a parallel (and planned) extension of the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) where required, for the period March 2026 to October 2028.
What is the breakdown of the six Ajax variants within the 589 vehicles to be delivered as part of the Armoured Cavalry 2025 Programme.
A breakdown of the Ajax family of vehicles to be delivered as part of the Armoured Cavalry programme is provided below. VariantTotalRoleAJAX245Reconnaissance and joint fires observerARES93Deliver and support specialist troopsATHENA112Command and ControlATLAS38Recover damaged vehiclesAPOLLO50Repair and tow damaged vehiclesARGUS51Specialist engineering reconnaissance *ARES is the common base platform for all variants.
What progress he has made on the Naval Bases project of the Naval Support Integrated Global Network programme.
The Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) Programme continues to progress through the Assessment Phase with the NSIGN (Submarines) Project Outline Business Case (OBC) approved April 2025 and Full Business Case approval expected in early 2026. Concept work is progressing with the NSIGN(Ships) and NSIGN (Naval Bases) Projects seeking OBC approval early and mid-2026 respectively. The NSIGN Projects will enable the Ministry of Defence to contract for Submarine and enabling Naval Base services delivered through Clyde and Devonport in March 2026 and for Ships and wider Naval Base services from October 2028, with a parallel (and planned) extension of the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) where required, for the period March 2026 to October 2028.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the emergence of Higher Airspace Operations as a domain.
Thje Ministry of Defence is engaged with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of Transport in the UK Airspace Modernisation Strategy, which will consider the integration of new entrants with established airspace users. The range of potential activities and platform types being considered at high altitudes spans from hypersonic passenger flights to slow-moving, lighter-than-air platforms designed for extended loiter times, such as those used for mobile phone transmission. The integration of these platforms, along with airspace management and the provision of air traffic services, presents a significant challenge that is widely recognised on an international scale. My officials continue to work with UK and international partners through a range of working groups.
What progress he has made in delivering the Armoured Cavalry 2025 Programme.
The Armoured Cavalry programme continues to remain on track to achieve Initial Operating Capability by December 2025. As at 1 September 2025, 143 Ajax platforms have been accepted by the Ministry of Defence, of which 135 have been delivered to the Field Army. The programme will deliver all 589 vehicles by September 2029 as contracted.
What assessment has he made of the potential merits of elevating space assets to a priority portfolio under the National Armaments Director.
The Ministry of Defence is introducing Service-agnostic capability portfolios to increase flexibility and drive pace in procurement. As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, delivering space-based capabilities is a priority for defence and a space systems portfolio is in scope for implementation under the National Armaments Director.
What is the out-of-service date of the Holbrook nuclear warhead.
As the hon. gentleman would understand, the expected out-of-service date for our current Mk4A nuclear warhead and the expected in-service date for Astraea are being withheld as release would prejudice national security.
What recent discussions his Department has had with their US counterparts on the recent trial of the Regent Craft Viceroy Seaglider by the US Marine Corps.
The Ministry of Defence engages routinely with the United States Department of Defense, the US Navy and the US Marine Corps on capability development and experimentation. We are aware of allied activity relating to seaglider technologies and wing-in-ground effect platforms and we keep all such emerging technologies under review.