Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What British Army units form the Global Response Force.

The Army’s contribution to the Global Response Force is the Air Manoeuvre Task Force (AMTF). The AMTF is comprised of force elements from 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team (16 AABCT), a task dependent Task Force formed from 1 Aviation Brigade, and specialist capabilities drawn from across the Army (including, but not limited to: Military Intelligence, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Air Defence, Electronic Warfare, and Military Working Dogs) .

What progress he has made in developing interoperability between 16 Air Assault Brigade and (a) the US 82nd Airborne Division and (b) the French 11e Brigade Parachutiste.

We continue to develop interoperability between 16 Air Assault Brigade, the 82nd Airborne Division and the French 11e Brigade Parachutiste. These links are strong and will continue to be demonstrated during 2026. 16 Air Assault Brigade will participate in the 82nd Airborne Division’s validation exercise for its Immediate Reaction Force role in March 2026; this is the culmination of a number of preparatory exercises throughout 2025-2026 which has seen tangible links developed between the two Headquarters. The US relationship is also reinforced annually as part of Exercise SWIFT RESPONSE, which are a series of exercises alongside NATO partners and has been confirmed through to 2027. The relationship with 11e Brigade Parachutiste is focused around the Airborne Combined Joint Force which is formally recognised within the Lancaster House Treaty. This is a bi-annual alternating responsibility to command a combined brigade. This is achieved through a series of low-level bilateral exercises and culminates in a confirmatory exercise. Furthermore, there are exchange officers between the two brigades who maintain the relationship, offering parachuting and coordinate capability development opportunities.

When he plans to provide an answer to Question 101920.

The number of personnel with a recorded code for the relevant symptom has been provided. It should be noted that personnel who had a recorded symptom for noise or vibration may have had this on their health record prior to their first Ajax use. For any service person, use of Ajax will be mixed with other hazardous exposures in Defence, such as load-carriage, fitness tests and noise and vibration exposures from other sources such as small arms fire on ranges or other armoured vehicles. It is also possible that any symptoms may be non-Ajax related. Therefore, although a noise or vibration symptom may have been recorded on the health record since the individual first operated Ajax, it does not mean that the symptom was caused as a direct result of operating on the Ajax platform and could be entirely unrelated. Of those recorded as using Ajax since the start of the Armoured Cavalry programme between 23 July 2025 and 13 November 2025: 25 personnel had a noise symptom recorded on their electronic medical record since they first used Ajax.59 personnel had a vibration symptom recorded on their electronic medical record since they first used Ajax.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of replacing the Royal Navy’s Automated Small Calibre Gun.

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 requirements for shipborne small‑calibre weapons, including potential enhancements to sensors, fire‑control systems, and lethality.

What the delivery date is of Project Shrinker.

I would like to refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided on 5 November 2025 to Question 85996. Owing to reasons of operational security, as I hope the hon. Member will understand, I cannot provide any further details on Project Shrinker.

When HMS Queen Elizabeth will be seaworthy.

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.

By what date SONUS acoustic weapon detection will be issued to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery.

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 early 2026, five years earlier than planned. This equipment will be issued to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery for use in training and User Acceptance Trials. Full Deployable Capability is forecast for early 2027.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the Lockheed Martin Lamprey Multi-Mission Autonomous Undersea Vehicle.

The Department keeps under review the potential operational benefits of emerging autonomous maritime systems, including autonomous undersea vehicles, as part of wider capability development.

What progress he has made on delivering Support Weapons Enhanced Sighting Systems.

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-Purpose Machine Gun. Further work is ongoing through a Surveillance and Target Acquisition framework to enable the wider rollout of capabilities across Front Line Command support weapon systems.

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.

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-scope groups, based on future organisational needs, protecting areas of growth and retaining skills and talent. As stated in my response to Question 111268, this exercise is ongoing and the number of exits will not be known until later in the year. The Ministry of Defence will look to avoid redundancies wherever possible. If this becomes unavoidable, this will follow full and meaningful consultation with affected employees and Trade Unions.

When HMS Queen Elizabeth entered dry-dock.

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.

What assessment he has made of the ability of Defence Equipment and Support to incorporate a UK sovereign component into all upcoming body armour procurement programmes.

Defence Equipment & Support works within operative procurement rules and frameworks, such as the Procurement Act 2023 and the Land Industrial Strategy, which encourage compliant bids from UK suppliers in the delivery of Defence equipment programmes, including body armour.

Whether the Maritime Fighting Web is part of the Digital Targeting Web.

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to Question 112332 on 18 February 2026.

What assessment he has made of the ability of Defence Equipment and Support to incorporate a (a) UK manufacturing and (b) Land Industrial Strategy components into all procurement programmes.

Defence Equipment & Support works within operative procurement rules and frameworks, such as the Procurement Act 2023 and the Land Industrial Strategy, which encourage compliant bids from UK suppliers in the delivery of Defence equipment programmes, including body armour.

With reference to the speech by the Prime Minister at the Munich Security Conference on 14 February 2026, on which US capabilities he plans to decrease dependence.

The forthcoming Defence Investment Plan will set out how the UK will deliver the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review, ensuring we are integrated into NATO force structures by design but capable of acting as an integrated sovereign force when needed. This includes consideration of enabling capabilities such as munitions stockpiles, cyber resilience, space assets, and critical industrial capacity. While the UK-US defence relationship remains foundational to our defence and national security, and the UK derives great benefit from it, it is right that the UK continues to invest in a balanced mix of sovereign, bilateral and multilateral programmes. This ensures our Armed Forces can operate effectively with allies, lead when necessary, and maintain freedom of action in any future strategic environment.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) operational, (b) logistical and (c) legal constraints on the the ability of the Royal Navy to conduct (i) deterrence or (ii) interdiction operations against small boat migrant people-smuggling activities within UK territorial waters in the English Channel.

The Home Office, through the Border Security Command, is the lead Government Department responsible for tackling illegal migration and people‑smuggling in the English Channel. His Majesty’s Coastguard is responsible for search and rescue at sea. Their responses to the issue of small boat migration are underpinned by the UK’s legal obligations as a responsible maritime nation.

What role the Callen-Lenz Nyan One-Way Effector will play in the Army’s deep fires capability.

The Army intends to field an initial One-Way Effector capability, including the Callen Lenz NYAN effector, as part of the UK Forces’ deep fires contribution on Operation CABRIT.

How many intercept scrambles of Russian military aircraft by USAF aircraft have taken place from a) RAF Lakenheath and b) RAF Mildenhall since 2020.

For operational security reasons, we do not offer comment or information in relation to foreign nations’ military operations.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of a ceasefire in Ukraine on the UK’s ability to sustain commitments to a) Operation Firecrest, b) Operation Cabrit and c) the JEF commitment to Arctic Sentry.

Defence conducts continuous review of all current and planned commitments in accordance with established protocols, ensuring that each task can be fully and appropriately resourced by the single Services. This process incorporates dynamic, ongoing assessment and the allocation of resources as new requirements arise. Defence’s commitments relating to Ukraine have been appropriately resourced and deconflicted, with no identified concurrency risks affecting the Department’s ability to sustain planned outputs for Operation FIRECREST, Operation CABRIT, or the Joint Expeditionary Force contribution to ARCTIC SENTRY. As operational planning for the Ministry of Defence’s contribution to a ceasefire in Ukraine progresses, any additional requirements will be assessed, deconflicted, and resourced through established mechanisms to ensure Defence continues to deliver the highest standards of operational output.

Pursuant to the answer of 16 February 2026 to question 111934 on Armed Forces: Parachuting, which Parachute Regiment battalion the single battalion group will be based upon.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his Question 79685 on 17 October 2025.