Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the Leonardo Proteus helicopter.

I refer the hon. Member to the response to Question 101435 provided on 8 January 2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026 to question 109314 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, with reference to the Answer of 26 January 2010 to Question HL1306, what the respective positions on sovereignty were that were set out.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 109314 on 09 February 2026.

What assessment has he made of the potential impact on UK naval priorities of losing NATO’s Marcom central maritime command appointment.

The UK’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable and we continue to reinforce our role as the leading European nation in the alliance.

What aircraft do the RAF operate that are capable of deploying airborne parachute infantry at a) company, b) battalion and c) all arms battlegroup scale.

All twenty-two Atlas C1 aircrafts can be fitted with the Static Line delivery system for deploying parachute infantry at scale in a low-level static line configuration. They can also employ specialist military freefall parachuting and air dispatch of associated equipment.

Pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026, to question 110946 on Navy: Artificial Intelligence, what progress has he made in establishing a Royal Navy Targeting organisation to represent the maritime component of the Integrated Force.

The Maritime Fighting Web and the Digital Targeting Web are both elements of Defence’s broader programme to improve data‑driven decision making and effects delivery across the Integrated Force. The initiatives are designed for seamless integration to enable rapid maritime awareness, threat assessment, and coordinated action The Royal Navy is progressing plans to strengthen its dedicated maritime targeting function, so that it can more effectively contribute to joint and multi‑domain targeting activity and support an Integrated Force able to operate at greater speed, precision and scale. All future capabilities are dependent on the outcome of Defence Investment Plan.

Whether his Department currently has operational command of Border Force vessels in the English Channel.

The Ministry of Defence does not have operational command of Border Force vessels in the English Channel.

What is the minimum operationally deployable capability drop standard for the Ajax-family of vehicles.

Capability Drop 3 is the minimum operationally deployable capability drop, with deployability being subject to decisions based on the safety reviews.

Whether Border Force personnel are qualified to conduct Visit, Board, Search, Seizure operations.

Border Force officers operate using a range of powers from the Immigration Act 1971, The Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016, and other legislation. Border Force officers are trained and have guidance on the use of these powers.

How many a) RAF Typhoons and b) RAF F-35Bs are stationed at RAF Akrotiri, as at 6 February 2026.

It is longstanding policy that we do not publicly comment on exact details around operational deployments (including figures), as it would harm the capability, security and operational effectiveness of UK forces.

Pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026, to question 110946 on Navy: Artificial Intelligence, what is the full scope of the Maritime Fighting Web.

The Maritime Fighting Web (MFW) is not a single system or platform but a long‑term programme of digital modernisation. Subject to the Defence Investment Plan, the MFW will deliver the maritime component of the Digital Targeting Web, enabling the Royal Navy to sense, understand, decide, and deliver effects at pace across the Hybrid Navy.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2026 to question 108357 on Syria: Islamic State, how many Islamic State-linked individuals have been repatriated to the United Kingdom from the al-Roj camp.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 February 2025 in response to Question 27530.

What is the in-service date of HMS Venturer.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2026 to the hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois) to Question 108597.

Within which Ministry of Defence a) projects and b) programmes are Palantir currently involved.

Palantir is used across a range of Defence data‑analytics and integration activities, with deployment decided by individual Delivery Teams rather than tied to a single defined list of projects or programmes. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not routinely publish a list of all individual projects or programmes using specific software platforms. However, all use of Palantir is governed by strict contractual controls ensuring United Kingdom Defence data remains sovereign and under MOD direction at all times.

What policing powers Border Force personnel hold.

Border Force immigration officers and designated customs officials in England and Wales may utilise some powers set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 as applied by The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Application to immigration officers and designated customs officials in England and Wales) Order 2013.In Northern Ireland, Border Force immigration officers and designated customs officials may utilise some powers set out in The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 as applied by The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Application to Immigration Officers and Designated Customs Officials in Northern Ireland) and Consequential Amendments Regulations 2026.In Scotland, The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2018 applies relevant provisions from the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 to Border Force immigration officers and designated customs officials.Additionally, section 2 of the UK Borders Act 2007 provides a power for designated immigration officers in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to detain an individual they think are subject to a warrant for arrest or may be liable to arrest by a constable under certain sections of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, or the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, subject to a certificate under section 74B of the Extradition Act 2003. Designated immigration officers may detain such individuals for up to three hours pending the arrival of a constable.

Pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026, to question 110946 on Navy: Artificial Intelligence, what assessment has he made of the potential level of need for integration between the Maritime Fighting Web and the Digital Targeting Web.

The Maritime Fighting Web and the Digital Targeting Web are both elements of Defence’s broader programme to improve data‑driven decision making and effects delivery across the Integrated Force. The initiatives are designed for seamless integration to enable rapid maritime awareness, threat assessment, and coordinated action The Royal Navy is progressing plans to strengthen its dedicated maritime targeting function, so that it can more effectively contribute to joint and multi‑domain targeting activity and support an Integrated Force able to operate at greater speed, precision and scale. All future capabilities are dependent on the outcome of Defence Investment Plan.

What discussions he had with Peter Mandelson, whilst he was the UK Ambassador to the United States, on Palantir, prior to the awarding of the contract with the Ministry of Defence.

I refer the hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026 to question 109314 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, what were the objections expressed by Mauritius regarding the creation of the Marine Protected Area.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 109314 on 09 February 2026.

What discussions has he held with his cabinet colleagues on retaining sovereign military helicopter manufacturing capability.

Cabinet colleagues engage in discussions about defence capabilities, which are supported by the Defence Industrial Strategy. This strategy highlights the Government's commitment to preserving sovereign capabilities, playing a crucial role in supporting jobs and prosperity throughout the United Kingdom.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in response to the question from the hon. Member for Huntingdon of 9 February 2026, Official Report, column 583, if he will set out the vetting process that was followed for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, and the Written Ministerial Statement, and the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2026 to question 109313 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how many of the first 100 vehicles have had their hulls inspected to ensure there are no faults since being withdrawn from service.

Inspection of hulls takes place as part of the upgrade of all Ajax vehicles to Capability Drop 3 (CD3). To date, 17 vehicles from the first 100 hulls have been upgraded to CD3 and therefore inspected as part of that process.