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 501–520 of 2,264 · Ministry of Defence
How many British Army Stormers are deployed to Saudi Arabia under Operation Crossways.
Operation CROSSWAYS provides military support to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, primarily focused on training and tailored military advice to the Saudi armed forces. For operational security reasons, we do not comment publicly on exact details around deployments.
Pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026 to question 116103 on NATO Response Force, what size of sub-unit from the a) Royal Marines Commando Force, b) Ranger Regiment and c) RAF Regiment will be committed to the NATO Allied Reaction Force (ARF) Special Operations Component.
As with all UK contributions to NATO, the UK retains the ultimate authority over their use, including the option to employ them for national operations if necessary. Any such decision would be taken in close consultation and coordination with NATO. The UK’s contribution to the ARF Special Operations Component will consist of personnel from the Royal Marines Commando Force, Ranger Regiment, and RAF Elements. For operational security reasons, it would not be appropriate to provide a more detailed breakdown of this future commitment.
Pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026 to question 116103 on NATO Response Force, will UK contributions to the ARF Special Operations Forces element be exclusively under NATO Command or still available for UK operations via the Ministry of Defence.
As with all UK contributions to NATO, the UK retains the ultimate authority over their use, including the option to employ them for national operations if necessary. Any such decision would be taken in close consultation and coordination with NATO. The UK’s contribution to the ARF Special Operations Component will consist of personnel from the Royal Marines Commando Force, Ranger Regiment, and RAF Elements. For operational security reasons, it would not be appropriate to provide a more detailed breakdown of this future commitment.
How many Iranian attack drones have been downed by Royal Air Force planes using (a) advanced short-range air-to-air missiles and (b) cannon.
As stated by the Prime Minister on 5 March 2026, RAF aircraft continue to conduct defensive operations in the region. At this time, we will not comment further due to operational security.
Which Royal Navy Type 45 will replace HMS Dragon within the NATO Maritime Group One role following its emergency deployment to Cyprus.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 March 2026 to Question 115467.
What assessment has he made of the potential of the Patria TRACKX armoured vehicle as a replacement for Viking.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I laid in the house on 9 September 2025 to Question 74736, which remains extant.
What assessment he has made of the inability of UK and US counter-Uncrewed Air Systems defences to intercept the drone that struck the runway at RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Since January, we have sent additional air defence assets to Cyprus, including radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets, and ground-based air defence. We have deployed HMS DRAGON along with Merlin airborne surveillance helicopters and Wildcat helicopters with specific anti-drone capability.
Whether he has launched an investigation into the inability of UK and US counter-Uncrewed Air Systems defences to intercept the drone that struck the runway at RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Since January, we have sent additional air defence assets to Cyprus, including radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets, and ground-based air defence. We have deployed HMS DRAGON along with Merlin airborne surveillance helicopters and Wildcat helicopters with specific anti-drone capability.
Whether any elements of No. 2 Force Protection Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing deployed to the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekalia during the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
No.2 Force Protection Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing was deployed to the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri before the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
What is the full scope of Project SAGE.
SAGE is a project to test the use of satellite communications, 4G, and Wi-Fi in places or buildings where digital signals are normally restricted.
What is the full scope of Project Synergia.
Project SYNERGIA is the Royal Air Force's research and development programme to inform the requirements for a core capability to provide protection for fixed sites from the threat of drones.
If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the use of the Shuiqiao landing barge by the Chinese navy.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s Shuiqiao landing barge is a significant development in China’s amphibious power projection capability. As laid out in last year’s Strategic Defence Review, the UK recognises China's rapid military modernisation and its use of new capabilities to attempt to establish regional dominance. Growing Chinese assertiveness is a key driver of regional and global instability. Defence can contribute to wider Government efforts to defend and shape international rules and norms in the region through strengthening regional partners and protecting freedom of navigation. In regional disputes, we continue to encourage all parties to settle their disputes peacefully through existing legal mechanisms.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue: Joint Statement, published in 23 February 2026, what steps he has taken to explore options that maximise opportunities to strengthen the UK collective steel industrial base with that of Australia.
I was pleased to host Minister Pat Conroy for the first Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue since 2018. As one of our closest allies, we had constructive discussions on how we can work together towards a safer and prosperous future. A cornerstone of doing so is the AUKUS partnership, which will drive growth, create thousands of jobs and provide new opportunities across the trilateral submarine supply chain, building essential resilience into this vital area of our Defence industry. With this in mind, we continue to work with Australia to understand how each country’s steel industry can provide optimal support for our respective SSN-AUKUS build programmes. Opportunities for the UK steel industry have already been realised, with Sheffield Forgemasters producing components for Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines. This has been underpinned by the £6 billion investment into the UK’s submarine building infrastructure that the Government announced in the Strategic Defence Review and a further £2.4 billion that Australia is providing to support capacity growth at Rolls-Royce Submarines and Sheffield Forgemasters.
What is the full scope of Project ONION.
You will note the recent publication on the Gov.UK website on 24 February which confirmed that the Ministry of Defence has trialled a series of projects designed to improve the UK's ability to outload munitions quickly and at scale. ONION seeks to capture lessons and policy challenges which have constrained munitions innovation.
What discussions has he had with his a) US counterparts or b) senior US military personnel, regarding the effectiveness of the US military’s one-way effectors used in the attack on Iran.
The US is the UK’s closest defence and security partner. The Secretary of State and his officials are in regular contact with US counterparts on a range of topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our two nations. You would not expect me to go into detail of operational discussions with the United States, including specific assessments of US capabilities or systems.
How many ORCUS counter-UAS systems have been procured by the Ministry of Defence.
I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
What is the full scope of Project PAXO.
PAXO is a project to look at ways of packing munitions more efficiently. It tests new tools and methods to speed up loading munitions into shipping containers making the process faster, safer and less labour-intensive.
What country was the launch location of the drone that struck the runway during the attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a drone targeted RAF Akrotiri on 2 March was not launched from Iran. Our best assessment is that it came from Lebanon or Iraq.
What information his Department holds on the type of drone struck the runway during the attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a drone targeted RAF Akrotiri on 2 March was not launched from Iran. Our best assessment is that it came from Lebanon or Iraq.
Whether he has received the completed Defence Finance and Investment Strategy.
As set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS) is set to be developed by early 2026. It is currently on track for publication in spring, and the Secretary of State for Defence has been kept informed of the progress.