Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

When did the Royal Navy last hold the flagship Standing NATO Maritime Group One commitment.

The Royal Navy (RN) has never held the Flagship role for Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG)1 but regularly commits resources to the Group.

What steps he is taking to enhance the detection capability of RAF Fylingdales within the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System.

I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Whether the Royal Navy will take charge of the Allied Reaction Force (a) before or (b) after the Standing NATO Maritime Group One commitment.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 March 2026 to Question 119559. Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

In which police force areas is the Acquisitive Crime scheme currently live.

The Domestic Abuse Perpetrators on Licence (DAPOL) pilot is currently live in eight probation regions: East Midlands; West Midlands; London; Kent, Surrey and Sussex; East of England; South West; South Central; and Wales.The Electronic Monitoring for Acquisitive Crime (AC) scheme is currently live in the following 19 police force areas in England and Wales: Avon and Somerset, Bedfordshire, Cheshire, City of London, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, Essex, Gloucestershire, Gwent, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Kent, the Metropolitan Police area, North Wales, Nottinghamshire, Sussex and West Midlands.

Whether HMS Duncan was the Royal Navy fleet-ready escort on 1 February 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right. hon Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois MP) on 12 March 2026 to Question number 118155. Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

In which probation regions is the Domestic Abuse Perpetrators on Licence pilot currently live.

The Domestic Abuse Perpetrators on Licence (DAPOL) pilot is currently live in eight probation regions: East Midlands; West Midlands; London; Kent, Surrey and Sussex; East of England; South West; South Central; and Wales.The Electronic Monitoring for Acquisitive Crime (AC) scheme is currently live in the following 19 police force areas in England and Wales: Avon and Somerset, Bedfordshire, Cheshire, City of London, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, Essex, Gloucestershire, Gwent, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Kent, the Metropolitan Police area, North Wales, Nottinghamshire, Sussex and West Midlands.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of disruption to shipping by the Houthis in the Bab el Mandeb Strait on global trade.

Since the Houthi began attacks on international shipping in October 2023, global maritime trade via the Bab el Mandeb Strait (including ships coming to or leaving from the UK) has reduced very significantly. While precise trade figures for 2025 and onwards have yet to be released, global shipping continues to favour safer trade routes by largely avoiding the Suez / Bab el Mandeb Strait route. The Department continues to assess the vulnerability of the UK’s critical inputs caused by the numerous risks to maritime supply routes.

What assessment has he made of the potential risk posed to British shipping in the Bab el Mandeb Strait by the Houthis.

The UK Government regularly assesses the security situation in the region including the Bab el Mandeb Strait. The Department for Transport, supported by the Royal Navy’s UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organisation, continues to provide UK and Red Ensign flagged shipping with advice on the risk posed by the Houthis to merchant vessels.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the use of a) Maham-3 and b) Maham-7 naval mines by Iran on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

As part of routine operational planning, the Ministry of Defence conducts frequent assessments of maritime threats and the activity of other States. To protect operational security and safeguard national defence interests, the results of these assessments are not made public.

What is the scheduled decommissioning date of each Royal Navy Type 45 ship.

On current plans, the last Type 45 Destroyer will retire from service by the end of 2038. The Royal Navy does not release out of service dates for individual ships.

How many Rapid Sentry Systems have been procured for the RAF Regiment.

I am withholding the number of Rapid Sentry that have been procured as it would prejudice the capability, security and effectiveness of the Armed Forces.

Whether Land Ceptor is capable of ballistic missile interception.

Sky Sabre is a system of systems made up of radars, Command and Control nodes and Land Ceptor launchers. The Land Ceptor is not configured for Ballistic Missile Defence capability.

What discussions he has had with his Polish counterpart on joining the Global Combat Air Programme.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues. We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.

Whether the Royal Navy’s Phalanx CIWS is permitted to defeat crewed a) fixed-wing or b) rotary-wing platforms.

The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is designed primarily to counter incoming missiles and other immediate air or surface threats, with its employment governed by strict Rules of Engagement. Any use of the system against crewed fixed‑ or rotary‑wing aircraft would be considered on a case‑by‑case basis in line with international law and operational necessity, noting that specific Rules of Engagement profiles are classified and protected from disclosure to ensure operational ambiguity and effectiveness.

With reference to the press release entitled New radar systems to unlock offshore wind, published on 20 March 2026, which air defence radars have been purchased.

The contract will supply and integrate technologically advanced radar systems. I am withholding details of the specific air defence radar systems as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and the capability, security and effectiveness of the Armed Forces. However, I can confirm that the contract has been awarded to BAE Systems, a trusted partner in delivering advanced defence capabilities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date Lord Mandelson (a) was appointed to and (b) commenced his role as Ambassador to the United States of America.

Peter Mandelson's appointment was announced on 20 December 2024 and he commenced his role as Ambassador to the United States of America on 10 February 2025.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Powerful new Royal Navy warship programme advances as milestones reached for two ships, published on 24 February 2026, if he will confirm that defence spending will increase to 2.6% of GDP from 2027.

As the Hon. Gentleman will probably already know, based on the latest GDP projections, the UK's defence spending is currently forecast to reach 2.6% of GDP in 2027.

If he will set out which senior (a) Ministers, (b) military officers and (c) civil servants are required to approve the Defence Investment Plan prior to publication.

The Defence Investment Plan will be a Government document and plan, underpinned by the normal and appropriate collective agreement.

What progress has he made in assessing the potential compatibility of the Aster missile with the Mk 41 vertical launch system.

The Royal Navy has announced its intention to become a Mk41 Navy, to ensure that future combatants have a versatile missile launcher capable of deploying both offensive and defensive missiles. The Navy is currently assessing a range of effector options, including missiles, guns, lasers and drones as it develops the Hybrid Navy concept.

With reference to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs' Oral Statement of 19 March 2026 on International Development, Official Report, columns 1042-1045, what proportion of the reduction in the development budget will be spent on defence in (a) 2026/27, (b) 2027/28 and (c) 2028/29.

In 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29, 100 percent of the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be spent on defence.