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 1,241–1,260 of 2,264 · Ministry of Defence
With reference to page 133 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in implementing the Defence Estate Optimisation programme.
The Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio was mobilised in 2016 and has completed, or is on construction on 22 projects having disposed of 30 surplus Ministry of Defence sites.
On what date did the UK sign the deal with Lockheed-Martin to procure 12 F-35A Lightning II jets.
Negotiations with the Joint Program Office are ongoing. Further information regarding the procurement of the 12 F-35A Lightning aircraft will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Whether the roll out of Ares as an infantry fighting vehicle is included within the budget for the (a) Mechanised Infantry Programme and (b) Armoured Cavalry 2025 programme.
ARES will be used to fulfil an Armoured Infantry capability. Subject to gaining the necessary approvals, the budget for ARES modifications will be met within the Armoured Cavalry programme not the Mechanised Infantry programme.
With reference to page 134 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in reinvesting the proceeds from housing development on Minstry of Defence land.
The Defence Housing Strategy will set out the roadmap for how the Department will deliver a national regeneration programme for the Service Family Accommodation estate and deliver more housing of all types on Defence land identified as suitable for development. It is due to be published later this year.
With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what the nature is of the (a) workforce shortages and (b) weapons testing delays under the Delivery Confidence of the Protector programme.
Personnel shortfalls were identified in both the RAF and Defence Equipment and Support delivery team constructs. Internal prioritisation activity has since occurred to mitigate shortfalls. Protector's schedule was also delayed due to the resultant review of activity after a fatal accident of a US contractor that occurred at the deployed weapons testing location in September 2023.
If he will set out the full scope of the Joint Crypt Key programme.
The Joint Crypt-Key Programme (JCKP) is Ministry of Defence-sponsored and delivered jointly with the National Cyber Security Centre. The information requested is being withheld as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the UK Armed Forces.
What progress he has made on obtaining final approval of the Full Business Case for the E7 Wedgetail programme.
The Full Business Case was approved in June 2025.
What the out-of-service dates are for each Royal Navy mine counter measures vessel.
All existing HUNT and SANDOWN-class Mine Countermeasures Vessels are planned for retirement within the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme, as part of the transition to advanced autonomous systems. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out of service dates of individual platforms.
With reference to Box 12 page 15 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, how do mission bays facilitate (a) rapid upgrades and (b) spiral development.
The Royal Navy has embraced the mission bay concept, which are spaces on our ships into which modular capabilities can be inserted quickly, easily and at very low cost. Mission bays offer the opportunity to support a standardised footprint capability module (be this a ‘pod’ or otherwise). This supports spiral development by narrowing the boundary (or scope) of any developments to this footprint, relying upon the initial standardisation specification. Therefore, rapid upgrades can be embedded within the platform through the much shorter route of exchanging the podded or modular component, rather than engaging in constructive re-design of a system already integrated into the platform.
With reference to page 131 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on prioritising increasing shared capacity with the Department of Health and Social Care.
There is a strong foundation of cross-Government working between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), including planning to meet the demands of warfighting and other strategic health emergencies. A series of workshops involving both the MOD and DHSC are exploring the UK’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties. The MOD is also participating in DHSC’s cross-Government Exercise PEGASUS, the national tier 1 pandemic preparedness exercise set to assess the UK’s ability to respond to a pandemic. Both activities focus on understanding system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery.
With reference to page 131 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on making defence the employer of choice for (a) regular and (b) reserves medical staff.
The Strategic Defence Review recognises Defence must become an employer of choice for medical staff (Regular and Reserves) by offering flexible employment, education, and training—facilitated by aligning with the NHS on pay, benefits, and terms and conditions. The implementation of the Review's vision and recommendations is underway, including to ensure that pay and benefits for medical personnel are competitive with civilian healthcare roles and reviewing terms and conditions to provide greater flexibility and fairness, ensuring they reflect the unique demands of military service. The MOD is committed to the professional development of medical staff, offering access to advanced training, leadership courses, and opportunities to work in diverse and challenging environments; this is particularly relevant to reserve roles.
With reference to recommendation of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what resourcing options for medical infrastructure could be drawn from (a) the NHS and (b) private finance.
The Defence Investment Plan will set out how the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will deliver the vision of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) over the next 10 years, including confirming the funding available to improve the physical and digital infrastructure of Defence Medical Services, together with medical evacuation and medical stockpiles. The SDR commits the MOD to establish a ten-year physical infrastructure plan for Defence medical by February 2026, including options for medical infrastructure drawing on the NHS and private finance.
With reference to page 133 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in implementing the Defence Estate Optimisation programme.
The Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio was mobilised in 2016 and has completed, or is on construction on 22 projects having disposed of 30 surplus Ministry of Defence sites.
With reference to recommendation 46 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of how a mix of F-35A and B models provide value for money.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to Question 64538 on 10 July 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge). The procurement of 12 F-35A rather than 12 F-35B is expected to deliver a saving of up to 25% per aircraft. Final prices will be identified during contract negotiation.
With reference to recommendation 23 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which Ukrainian industries he has identified for potential post-conflict industrial collaboration with Ukraine.
Long term collaboration with Ukraine’s defence industrial base, which has evolved rapidly and become a recognised world leader in innovation and technology adoption, is a priority for the Ministry of Defence. Since Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, the UK has cooperated closely with Ukraine to deliver capabilities required by its armed forces, while bringing together the best of UK and Ukrainian industry. Trade missions, of which the government has led six into Ukraine, are helping build defence industrial relationships for the near term and for enduring, post-conflict industrial collaboration. Our future cooperation on battlefield technology, announced by the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy on 23 June, will deepen that collaboration through sharing of data and expertise between the UK and Ukraine, paving the way for our two countries to work long term on jointly-agreed priorities for the benefit of both our nations’ armed forces and defence industries.
With reference to recommendation 47 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on augmenting the existing fleet of A400M with (a) more A400M, (b) civilian charter and (c) sponsored service options.
A range of options to meet future air mobility requirements are being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan which will be published in due course.
What the outcome was of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Gate 4 programme review of the Mechanised Infantry Programme.
The most recent National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) review outcome of the Mechanised Infantry Programme is reflected in the NISTA 2024-2025 annual report which is published online. The supporting data grades the Mechanised Infantry programme as AMBER. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nista-annual-report-2024-2025
How many fully deployable manoeuvre brigades does the British Army have.
The Army has five fully deployable manoeuvre brigades.
What discussions he has had with members of the Coalition of the Willing on the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
Operational discussions continue with fellow Multi-National Force Ukraine nations, but we will not be drawn into detail on the specifics of UK Armed Forces deployments at the risk of operational security. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine.
What the in-service date is for the Royal Navy’s Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon.
The Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) requirements will be fulfilled by a “light” and “heavy” capability. FASGW (Light), also known as Martlet, achieved Initial Operating Capability in October 2021 and has been in operational service with the Royal Navy since then. The programme is progressing towards Full Operating Capability and achievement of this milestone is forecast for December 2025. FASGW (Heavy), also known as Sea Venom, reached Initial Operating Capability in May 2025 in time to be deployed on Operation HIGHMAST. Full Operating Capability is on-track to be delivered by 2029.