Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, whether he will publish the Ministerial-led review into the quality of advice to Ministers, senior officials and military leadership across the MoD.

The Army safety investigation is ongoing and initial findings are expected soon. As advised in recent Written Statement, in addition to the two safety investigations, a panel of experts has been established with experience of noise and vibration to bring knowledge and challenge to this work. That panel consists of a range of experts from academia, maritime, aviation, science and medical and will also inform on human factors. I refer the hon. Member to Question 102949, which remains extant. Whilst the Army Safety Investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to release the contents of any of the reviews related to Ajax. I have, however, undertaken to keep this House updated on the Ajax programme and will continue to do so.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, a) by when is he expecting to receive the findings of the Army Safety Investigation and b) will the report be published.

The Army safety investigation is ongoing and initial findings are expected soon. As advised in recent Written Statement, in addition to the two safety investigations, a panel of experts has been established with experience of noise and vibration to bring knowledge and challenge to this work. That panel consists of a range of experts from academia, maritime, aviation, science and medical and will also inform on human factors. I refer the hon. Member to Question 102949, which remains extant. Whilst the Army Safety Investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to release the contents of any of the reviews related to Ajax. I have, however, undertaken to keep this House updated on the Ajax programme and will continue to do so.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, who are the individuals appointed by him to the panel of experts with experience of noise and vibration.

The Army safety investigation is ongoing and initial findings are expected soon. As advised in recent Written Statement, in addition to the two safety investigations, a panel of experts has been established with experience of noise and vibration to bring knowledge and challenge to this work. That panel consists of a range of experts from academia, maritime, aviation, science and medical and will also inform on human factors. I refer the hon. Member to Question 102949, which remains extant. Whilst the Army Safety Investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to release the contents of any of the reviews related to Ajax. I have, however, undertaken to keep this House updated on the Ajax programme and will continue to do so.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, what is the current medical status of the eight military personnel still injured after Exercise Titan Storm.

Since my Written Statement on 22 January 2026, I can confirm that there are less than five personnel remaining in the medical chain. We continue to ensure they receive necessary support.

If he will set out the full scope of Commercial-X.

Commercial X, established by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in 2022, is a team of Commercial officers dedicated to disrupting and modernising Defence’s approach to acquisition while reducing bureaucracy. Its mission is to deliver groundbreaking technology and innovation to the MOD more quickly. It achieves this through three key approaches: Positive Disrupters: A team of experts in procuring and scaling innovation and digital solutions at speed. They collaborate directly with frontline teams to deliver contracts valued up to £50 million within two years, driving pace by innovating within existing processes.Modernising Procurement: A team committed to overhauling procurement processes and policies to better support fast-moving innovation, cutting through excessive bureaucracy and red tape.Specialist Skills Development: A development programme designed to build the commercial officers of the future—equipping them to be digital-savvy, risk-smart, customer-focused, and agile. Notable deliverables to date: delivery of circa 650 innovation and technology contracts with an average time to contract of 31 days, 47% faster than average timelines for similar procurements. The creation of two new platforms to support small, business-friendly buying routes where suppliers can compete for contracts in technology and innovation. Recent notable contracts include: DragonFire, Hypersonics and NATO Allied Underwater Battlespace,

What assessment has he made of the adequacy of the available number of personnel to crew HMS Iron Duke following its planned maintenance period.

The Royal Navy keeps the crewing of all Ships under continuous review through its Force Generation and personnel management processes, including during operations and maintenance periods in order to deliver units for operations required by the Defence Plan. Following completion of planned maintenance, ships will routinely be assigned an appropriately trained and qualified Ship’s Company to meet operational requirements. This approach will be adopted in any force generation activity regarding HMS IRON DUKE.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, by when will he publish the Defence Accident Investigation Branch triage report.

Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) triage reports are internal documents and are not published. Triage reports provide the initial detail gathered immediately following an incident as understood at that time. Investigations into Ajax remain ongoing, and time must be given to ensure that all information and evidence is considered. I will continue to keep the house informed of developments as I have done since the issue arose on Exercise Titan Storm.

What was the full scope of the Heavy Armour Automotive Improvement Programme.

The Heavy Armour Automotive Improvement Programme (HAAIP) aims to deliver automotive improvements across the Challenger based Heavy Tracks Fleet, Driver Training Tanks, the Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle, TITAN, TROJAN, and Challenger 3. It addresses automotive performance, reliability, through life costs and maintainability out to 2040. The modifications provided by HAAIP will increase the mobility, agility and stability of the wider family of Heavy Tracked vehicles, providing a critical foundation for future enhancements and systems. Much of HAAIP’s work is supported by British Industry and supports the Strategic Defence Review’s directive to make UK Defence an engine for growth.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2026 to Question 106082 on Defence Equipment: Expenditure, what was the commercial off the shelf solution procured as a replacement for Melorius.

Commercial negotiations to supply the replacement for Project MELORIUS are ongoing, it would therefore be inappropriate to provide any further details at this time.

What progress he has made in procuring (a) camouflage nets and (b) thermal sheets for vehicles in the Ajax programme.

The Ajax programme has delivered a significant number of mobile camouflage systems. Additional detail such as numbers of systems would impact operational security.

Pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026, to question 106072 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the issue raised in the post-exercise report for Exercise Scorpion Cyclone that highlighted concerns that a stoppage on the 40mm CTA cannon causes an enforced 30min wait period that means the chain gun is inoperable and the vehicle is unarmed.

Trials and exercises are used to identify equipment issues. There is a process to ensure any issues are identified and rectified as part of the project life cycle.

Pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2926, to question 106076 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, when was the Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot round a) introduced and b) cancelled, prior to the assessment regarding whether it should be reinstated for use.

The review of options commenced in October 2022. This preliminary assessment was to determine feasibility and potential options. A stop notice was issued in December 2023 under the last Government after assessment trials were conducted.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2026 to Question 106285 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Decommissioning, what progress he has made in replacing the (a) Fuchs vehicle and (b) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) capability.

Options to replace the Fuchs vehicle are being explored as part of the Land Mobility Programme, within the Heavy Protected Mobility sub-programme.The Heavy Protected Mobility sub-programme is in its Concept Phase and is currently evaluating the Finnish led Common Armoured Vehicles System (CAVS) Programme's suitability in meeting UK's Heavy Protected Mobility requirements. All decisions are subject to the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan.

Pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026, to question 106072 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the issue raised in the post-exercise report for Exercise Scorpion Cyclone that highlighted concerns that the fuel consumption of the vehicle is 16 litres per hour and is unsustainable for deep recce.

Ajax Vehicle range and fuel consumption continue to be proved through trials and exercises. Data to date supports the vehicle being fit for a deep reconnaissance role.

What are the respective projects covering delivery of separate a) land, b) sea, c) air and d) overall joint autonomous collaborative platforms.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, we must shift towards a greater use of autonomy and AI to improve our Armed Forces' capability and lethality. Further detail of the projects that will achieve this drive for autonomy in each environment will be included as part of the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. Projects being developed include, but are not limited to, the Atlantic Bastion series of uncrewed systems operating below, on and above the surface of the sea to defend our nuclear deterrent and secure the Atlantic, and Army's autonomous collaborative platforms designed to work alongside Apache attack helicopters.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, to what extent did departmental submissions not reflect the full breadth of known aggregated safety risk regarding vibration related injuries and historical programme issues.

As I advised in my Written Statement on 22 January 2026, the outcome of the Ministerial review concluded that Departmental submissions were accurate in declaring Ajax as safe to operate. However, it also found Ministers should have been briefed more comprehensively in relation to operational impact and the nuanced risks of operating safely. Importantly, submissions did not reflect the full breadth of known aggregated safety risk, particularly regarding vibration related injuries and historical programme issues.

What is the remit of Task Force Rapstone.

Task Force RAPSTONE is an Army initiative to accelerate the fielding of new capabilities into the British Army, drawing on lessons learned from Ukraine.

What assessment has he made of the potential benefit of developing a secure community cloud as part of the Digital Targeting Web project.

The Ministry of Defence is on course to deliver the first elements of the Digital Targeting Web (DTW) later this year which is part of the wider modernisation of targeting, intelligence, and command‑and‑control systems across Defence. Separately from DTW, Defence already has an existing multi‑year contract with Google for Secret‑level cloud hosting and data services. This contract provides secure cloud capability across Defence for at least five years.

What progress has he made in facilitating the flow of analysed imagery from NCGI into the Digital Targeting Web.

The Ministry of Defence is on course to deliver the first elements of the Digital Targeting Web (DTW) later this year which is part of the wider modernisation of targeting, intelligence, and command‑and‑control systems across Defence. Separately from DTW, Defence already has an existing multi‑year contract with Google for Secret‑level cloud hosting and data services. This contract provides secure cloud capability across Defence for at least five years.

What is the scope of Project BOYD.

Project BOYD, delivered by the Royal Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, is a series of operational capability demonstrators harnessing AI to transform complex, time consuming and resource intensive command and control planning cycles through machine-speed, data-centric decision making, in order to generate a decision-action cycle that is palpably better than those of our adversaries.