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 781–800 of 2,619 · Ministry of Defence
If he will make an assessment of the potential vulnerability of (a) Taiwan and (b) the first and second island chain following the deployment of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from Okinawa to the Arabian Gulf.
The MOD does not comment on assessments conducted on the military capabilities of other states for reasons of operational security.
Pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2925 to question 89770 on Unmanned Marine Systems: Procurement, what a) roles and b) capabilities are covered by the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces.
The Coastal Forces Squadron along with 47 Commando Royal Marines will be the first operators of the Project BEEHIVE Uncrewed Surface Vessels to be delivered by Kraken Technology Group. Primarily designed to operate in littoral waters these craft will have a modular payload system with an open architecture which will allow the very rapid integration of a wide variety of sensors and effectors to support Coastal Forces and Commando Force activity.
What Royal Navy capabilities are planned to be supported by Maritime Remote and Autonomous Systems (MRAAS).
The Royal Navy is in a significant transition to a hybrid force with a mix of crewed and uncrewed systems operating in the air, surface and sub-surface environments.
What assessment has he made of the capabilities of DARPA’s SPeed and Runway INdependent Technologies (SPRINT) program X-76 aircraft for the Royal Air Force.
The UK Ministry of Defence has an ongoing relationship with DARPA, which ranges from information sharing to active collaboration on specific projects. No specific engagement has been undertaken on the SPRINT Programme, nor assessment of the X-76 demonstrator aircraft for RAF roles.
For what reason was 12 Squadron deployed to Qatar in February 2026.
12 Squadron was deployed to Qatar in February 2026 following a formal request from the Qatari Government.
With reference to the press conference from the Prime Minister on 16 March 2026, which three squadrons of fighter jets are deployed to the Middle East.
As of 18 March 2026, 12 Squadron, operating Typhoon aircraft, is deployed to Qatar. 2 Squadron, operating Typhoon aircraft, and 617 Squadron, operating F-35 aircraft, are deployed to RAF Akrotiri.
Which directive within the Ministry of Defence authorises the use of the Royal Navy’s Phalanx CIWS in a fully automated capacity.
As with all Armed Forces equipment capable of delivering lethal effect, the use of Phalanx is governed by strict Rules of Engagement. Internal directives relating to the use of weapons systems are operationally sensitive and are not disclosed.
Whether the Royal Navy’s Phalanx CIWS is authorised to use lethal force.
As with all Armed Forces equipment capable of delivering lethal effect, the use of Phalanx is governed by strict Rules of Engagement. Internal directives relating to the use of weapons systems are operationally sensitive and are not disclosed.
What assessment has he made of the adequacy of 2 Force Protection Wing’s ORCUS counter-UAS equipment on preventing drone attacks on RAF Akrotiri.
While ORCUS+ is not optimised to defeat One-Way Attack UAS, it offers an enhanced ability to detect, track and identify, increasing a kinetic system’s ability to defeat but no system can be 100% effective. This is why our defences in the Eastern Mediterranean now include Typhon and F-35 jets, air defence and counter-drone units, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and a further 400 air defence personnel are currently deployed to protect British lives and interests.
Pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2026 to question 106075, what progress he has made on providing a full response.
An answer will be provided shortly.
What discussions he has had with Skycutter on the procurement of the Shrike 10 Fiber FPV drone.
The Department has no records of formal engagement with Skycutter on the procurement of the Shrike 10 Fiber FPV drone.
What progress he has made in delivering Atlantic Net.
The Royal Navy (RN) will be deploying new undersea warfare technology as part of Atlantic Net, a new initiative that will see the RN rapidly field and iterate undersea warfare technology in collaboration with a Commercial Mission Partner or Partners. The initial commercial competition closed in late Nov 25 with follow on technical assessment undertaken during Dec 25, this process down-selected from 26 compliant consortia to five. The RN has worked collaboratively with these five consortia over the past three months, investing £5.6 million to rapidly develop and evidence these capabilities further before the Atlantic Net Commercial Mission Partner will be selected and scaled, pending approval in the Defence Investment Plan.
What the UK’s contribution is to the NATO Innovation Fund.
Following agreement by the Secretary of State for Defence and Chancellor the UK’s participation in the NATO Innovation Fund was announced on 30 June 2022. The fund invests in start-ups developing technology which fall into one of NATO’s defined EDT groups. It will be NATO’s venture capital fund. The fund’s objectives are: Foster a pipeline of dual-use technologies that can be adopted by NATO and participating nations;Crowd-in investment from private investorsBe commercially successful, providing returns on investment. The cost to the UK of participating in the fund is c£11 million per annum until financial year 2029-30.
How many Royal Navy T45 Destroyers have been upgraded with Sea Ceptor CAMM.
Sea Ceptor is already in service on all Type 23 frigates and work is underway to introduce it onto the Type 45 Destroyers, as well as the new Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates. This expansion of Sea Ceptor will further strengthen local air defence capabilities in the surface fleet.
Pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026 to question 118315 on USA: RAF Akrotiri, what is the scope of the permissions the US have been granted to use RAF Akrotiri.
As the Defence Secretary previously stated, the UK has agreed to a US request for permission to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for specific defensive purposes to destroy Iranian missiles and launchers at source. For operational security reasons, we do not offer comment on information relating to foreign nation’s military operations. Permissions to utilise UK military bases are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decision to grant permission is dependent on the nature and purpose of their activity.
Which T23 is scheduled to deploy on Operation Firecrest as part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group.
Detail on Operation Firecrest can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-carrier-strike-group-to-deploy-to-north-atlantic-to-keep-uk-safe I am unable to comment further at this time to do so would compromise the security of our forces and effectiveness of operations. Further detail about Operation Firecrest will be provided in due course.
By which date is HMS Dauntless scheduled to complete her current Fleet Time Support Period.
HMS Dauntless is presently engaged in her Fleet Time Support Period in line with the Royal Navy’s planned maintenance cycle. In accordance with established practice, the Royal Navy does not routinely comment on the detailed operational programme of its vessels
What assessment has he made of the level of risk posed by the YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missile to Royal Navy ships.
As part of its routine responsibilities, the Royal Navy carries out comprehensive analyses of potential threats to its operations and assets. To protect operational security and safeguard national defence interests, the results of these assessments are not made public.
What his planned timetable is for approving MHC Block 2 of Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles.
The Royal Navy’s Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme is being delivered in incremental blocks to ensure capability can be introduced and enhanced at pace. First of class Block 1 systems are entering service and undergoing operational evaluation. Approval of the Full Business Case for Block 2 is on track to achieve a Minimum Deployable Capability by the end of 2030.
What progress has he made in implementing Project SYNERGIA.
Project SYNERGIA has been implemented.As the project supports research and development activity for future Counter Uncrewed Aerial System capability, it will remain in use until a core capability has been procured.