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 1,961–1,980 of 2,619 · Ministry of Defence
What the lead time is between purchasing and delivery for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile missiles.
I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand but I am withholding this information on the grounds of National Security as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Ministry of Defence.
Which elements of the Global Combat air programme are included within the scope of the Industrial Strategy partnership with the Japanese government agreed in March 2025.
The UK and Japan are pioneering an Industrial Strategy Partnership (ISP) focusing on green and digital transformation, economic security and inclusive regional growth. The ISP aims to deepen UK-Japan industrial and technology collaboration through programmes such as GCAP.
With reference to page 14 of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what growth spillover benefits he plans to unlock in Huntingdon constituency.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth. However, we have made no assessment of growth spillover effects in the Huntingdon constituency, or any constituency level at this stage. The Defence Industrial Strategy published on 8 September 2025 clearly set out how we are making defence an engine for growth - investing more money in key defence areas and regions across the UK to create good jobs.
What estimate he has made of the contribution of Typhoon jets to GDP.
The biggest contribution of defence to GDP is peace and security. My Department has made no estimate of the contribution to GDP of any individual programmes and capabilities. The Defence Industrial Strategy published on 8 September 2025 clearly set out how we are making defence an engine for growth - Investing more money in key defence areas and regions across the UK to create good jobs. This year my Department has announced further multi-year contracts with UK companies for the support of in-service Typhoon EJ200 engines and the continuing development of the ECRS Mk2 radar upgrade programme that will be embodied on the RAF fleet. A resilient UK industrial base strengthens Britain's defence companies and supply chains to make us more secure and boost our economy, which will support making NATO stronger.
Pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49543, how many of the houses reacquired by his Department in January 2025 from Annington Homes have been used to house Afghans brought to the UK via (a) the Afghan Resettlement Programme and (b) separately as a subset of the Afghan Response Route.
Surplus SFA not needed for our personnel have been used in certain circumstances. 795 of the 36,000 properties bought back from Annington Homes in January 2025 have been used to house Afghans who worked alongside out troops in Afghanistan who have been brought to the UK via the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARAP).I refer the honourable member to the answer to PQ 72330 which provides the number of Afghan Response Route (ARR) Eligible Persons (EP) accommodated on the Defence Estate on 4 September 2025. The Department does not hold data on which former Annington Homes properties are occupied by ARR EPs.
How many Afghans were brought to the UK via the Afghan Response Route in each month the scheme was open.
As the responsible Department, the Home Office produce quarterly statistics for immigration. These statistics are broken down by the route in which the individual entered the UK. The Afghan Response Route (ARR) is included and can be accessed via the link below: safe-legal-routes-summary-tables-jun-2025.ods As of 4 July 2025, the ARR is closed. This Government continues to support the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) and is taking seriously our commitment to deliver on our promise to our Afghan friends and allies – many of whom stood side-by-side with the UK's Armed Forces in Afghanistan. By the end of this Parliament, we aim to have successfully honoured our obligation to complete relocations of eligible persons.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the introduction of CBAM in January 2027 on defence procurement.
The UK Government will introduce a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on 1 January 2027 to address the risk of carbon leakage, and support efforts towards industrial decarbonisation to achieve net zero. Initially, the CBAM will apply only to specific imports from a limited number of sectors at risk of carbon leakage, including aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, iron and steel. These sectors collectively account for less than 3% of total UK imports. The government expects the CBAM to have a negligible inflationary impact on consumers in the near term. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will continue to engage as the policy develops to fully assess the implications for Defence. The MOD is committed to addressing climate and environmental challenges, complying with environmental legislation and standards, while ensuring Defence activities and national security are protected.
What are his Department’s ethical principles for developing and deploying AI.
The SDR recognised the transformative potential of AI and set out MOD's commitment to accelerate the adoption of AI-enabled capabilities across warfighting domains. All development and use of AI across Defence must align with MOD's AI Ethics Principles, published in 2022 in the Ambitious, Safe Responsible policy. The five principles are: human centricity, responsibility, understanding, bias and harm mitigation, and reliability. Joint Services Publication 936 on Dependable AI defines the governance and assurance processes necessary to apply these principles as part of a proportionate, risk managed approach.
What assessment has he made of the potential merits of adopting the (a) L403A1-AIW, (b) the L119A1/A2 and (c) the Sig Sauer MCX as the replacement for the L85A3.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 28 April 2025 to Question 45196.
How many tonnes of humanitarian aid were delivered to Gaza as part of Operation Underhill.
UK Defence delivered approximately 110 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza in 2024. UK aid drops were judged to be accurate and to have landed within the designated drop zones.
What steps he is taking to increase the pan space at RAF Akrotiri in order to accommodate the increase in air assets held at the base.
There are currently no plans to expand the available ‘pan space’ at RAF Akrotiri. The Ministry of Defence is well set to expand at RAF Akrotiri should the need arise.
What is the 8005 manning establishment for an infantry (a) platoon, (b) company and (c) battalion in the armoured role equipped with Ares.
The Department does not release detailed information on its workforce requirements below top-level figures. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
What progress he has made on upgrading (a) RAF Lossiemouth and (b) RAF Akrotiri to a new digital Air Traffic Control system.
The Lossiemouth Programme team has completed a programme of thorough research into potential suppliers of Digital Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems and understand the required regulatory assurance processes for the Military Aviation Authority. The programme is now proceeding to its second formal investment approval gate prior to commencing commercial action to invite industry to tender for this programme. The forthcoming approval will also seek a decision of the best value proposition to provide the infrastructure and advanced building design that will also be required. For RAF Akrotiri, a wider infrastructure project to deliver a new Headquarters building has commenced which will include provision for a Digital ATC Control Room. This is aiming to complete construction by early next decade. The Akrotiri project team are working closely with the Lossiemouth project team to ensure that opportunities to align procurement of new Digital ATC equipment are understood.
What engine is used as the test demonstrator for the Global Combat Air Programme.
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) demonstrator is planned to use EJ200 engines from the Eurofighter Typhoon, giving a reliable engine for testing the aircraft’s design. A brand-new engine will power the final production aircraft.
On what aircraft will SPEAR Capability 5’s (a) low-observable TP15 and (b) supersonic RJ10 be compatible.
SPEAR Capability 5 is being delivered through the collaborative Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme. This is progressing with our European partners and it has recently entered the demonstration phase. The programme is designed to be integrated on Typhoon and Rafale aircraft, as well as future platforms including the Global Combat Air Programme.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Royal Air Force’s APPIVATE programme to upskill users.
The effectiveness of the RAF's Appivate programme is continuously assessed through user testing, feedback and engagement from application development through to rollout. For each product delivered through the Appivate programme, metrics on customer satisfaction and engagement are tracked to ensure user needs are met at every stage. The product rollout process involves comprehensive user testing and feedback to guarantee that users are proficient in utilising the new solutions. This includes providing guides or demonstrations and offering in-person support to assist individuals. As part of RAF Digital, there is also wider engagement and input into larger Defence programmes around digital upskilling of users, such as DS4D (Digital Skills for Defence).
What balance of (a) airmanship, (b) handling aptitude and (c) capacity his Department will use to stream pilots for Protector as opposed to fast-jet, rotary or multi-engine.
Airmanship, handling aptitude and capacity has been interpreted to be characteristics of an individual pilot. There is no specific set balance regarding airmanship, handling aptitude, and capacity used when streaming pilots for Protector as opposed to fast jet, rotary wing or multi engine aircraft. This is owing to the number of other factors that the Streaming Boards also need to consider, such as previous experience, performance during each training element, personal preference and the ongoing needs of the Service. After completion of Elementary Flying Training - a 26:30 flying hour syllabus containing formative and summative assessments in airmanship, handling and capacity - individual trainee performances and military qualities are summarised in their end of course report. The report will also capture attributes such as learning rate, attitude to instruction, previous experience and character. All trainees are reviewed by a Streaming Board – a panel of experienced instructors and professional aviators - to determine the most appropriate pipeline for the next stage of training. This Streaming Board, with representatives from each pipeline (fast-jet, rotary, multi-engine and RPAS), takes into account trainees’ performance during Elementary Flying Training, to make a professional judgement on their suitability for each of the pipelines, including Protector. Having taken account of suitability, the Board will ensure Service needs are met in terms of filling priority training slots from the cohort, while aiming to support personal preference wherever possible.
What progress his Department has made on (a) developing and (b) procuring the A2 variant chambered in 6.5mm Creedmoor of the L129 rifle.
L129 Sharpshooter rifles have recently been upgraded to the A2 standard and will be issued to units in the coming months. This upgrade has delivered a modular weapon system that can be modified to 6.5 Creedmoor.
What lessons his Department learned from Project Hunter.
In 2023, a review of the approach used to inform the down-selection of AR15 variants for Project HUNTER was conducted. The intent of this review was to capture and understand any lessons or short-comings from this approach so that these can be addressed for future weapon procurement projects. Specific lessons cannot be released due to their sensitivity, however key aspects include training, ergonomics, maintenance, sight systems, safety, suppressors, ammunition, cleaning, equipment, personnel, information, doctrine, organisation, infrastructure, and logistics.
What progress his Department has made on securing new capability by the Royal Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Spearhead programme.
The Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Spearhead Programme has focussed on accelerating the Navy’s understanding of advanced capabilities. Key areas progressed include maritime autonomy, machine learning and artificial intelligence, to supplement existing crewed platforms. Investment in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonar 2087 system has led to improvements to Type 23 capabilities. These improvements will also be pulled through to the Type 26 programme. ASW Spearhead has developed new capability for the Merlin Mk2 Maritime Patrol Helicopter, resulting in a significant increase in sensor coverage.