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 1,801–1,820 of 5,090 · this parliament
How many operational SSN’s were at sea as of 1 January 2026.
It is UK policy not to disclose the operational availability or deployment details of submarines, including SSNs, as doing so would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of our Armed Forces.
Where were each of the (a) 23 Ajax vehicles on Exercise Titan Storm and (b) the Ajax vehicle, subsequently used to establish a baseline for noise and vibration, (i) manufactured and (ii) assembled.
The 23 Ajax vehicles on Exercise Titan Storm and the Ajax vehicle subsequently used to establish a baseline for noise and vibration were all part of Capability Drop 3; manufactured and assembled in Merthyr Tydfil.
What were the a) names, b) dates, c) training areas used and d) exercising units equipped with Ajax of the three exercises that took place between 23rd July 2025 and Exercise Titan Storm.
The three exercises that took place between 23 July 2025 and Exercise Titan Storm were: Exercise CYCLONE STORM between 21 July - 1 August 2025 on Salisbury Plain Training Area by The Queen’s Royal Hussars. Exercise TRADEWIND between 17 – 24 October 2025, on Salisbury Plain Training Area by The Royal Lancers. Exercise SCORION CYCLONE between 15 September – 10 October 2025 on Salisbury Plain Training Area, involving The Household Cavalry Regiment, The Royal Lancers, 26th Regiment Royal Artillery, 6 Armoured Close Support Battalion and Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers.
By when will he respond to Written Question 98879, submitted on 10 December 2025.
170 Ajax platforms have been delivered to Field Army Units up to and including 1 December 2025. The breakdown by variant is as follows: AJAX87ARES33ATHENA25ARGUS3APOLLO13ATLAS9
What criteria must be met in order to achieve Full Operating Capability for Ajax.
Full Operating Capability will see the Armoured Cavalry and other Ajax users Trained, Sustainable and Ready for Deployment. It would not be appropriate to release a complete list of criteria as to do so could, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces.
What Capability Drop were each of the a) 23 Ajax vehicles on Exercise Titan Storm and b) the Ajax vehicle subsequently used to establish a baseline for noise and vibration.
The 23 Ajax vehicles on Exercise Titan Storm and the Ajax vehicle subsequently used to establish a baseline for noise and vibration were all part of Capability Drop 3; manufactured and assembled in Merthyr Tydfil.
What criteria was met which permitted Initial Operating Capability for Ajax to be achieved on 5 November 2025.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him to Question 104285 on 14 January 2025. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-08/104285
Pursuant to the answer of 14th January 2026, to answer 104283 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, on what dates assurances and advice regarding the safety of the platform were provided to Ministers.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him to Question 98241 on 12 December 2025. However, I would like to reassure him that it is my intention to provide an update on the safety of Ajax and the Ministerial Review to Parliament in the near future. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-08/98241
With reference to the Ministry of Defence accounts 2024-25, what did the Melorius write-off and constructive losses of £12,552,000 relate to.
Initiated to replace an in-service capability, MELORIUS was a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Medical Countermeasure project to rapidly develop and provide immediate treatment to a person exposed to a Nerve Agent.A Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) product became available during the development stage of the project, following changes in the commercial market. Project MELORIUS was re-evaluated and a decision was made to stop further development, with funds reinvested into procuring a COTS solution. This represented the best value for money for the taxpayer, a low-risk option and significantly reduced the delivery timescales.The constructive loss of £12,552,000 was incurred during the active management of stopping project MELORIUS. It relates to the safe disposal of 110,000 medical devices, a necessary up-front purchase, and the associated costs of development and testing of the products.In delivering the best capabilities for our Armed Forces, it is vital that we continually review the market and emerging technologies for ways to enhance our current offering, to ensure that our troops have what they need to operate effectively and the ability to respond to evolving threats.
Which Royal Artillery regiments will be equipped with RCH155.
On current plans, RCH 155 will initially be fielded to 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery and 19 Regiment Royal Artillery. However, analysis of future force structures is ongoing, and the final fielding plan remains subject to change.
Pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026, to question 101929 on Police and Crime Commissioners, what is the composition of the £100m the Government expects to save in this Parliament as a result of abolishing Police and Crime Commissioners.
The Government expects to save at least £100m from abolishing the PCC model this Parliament. This includes savings from cancelling future PCC elections, with the last elections in 2024 costing approximately £87m.In addition, we expect to generate efficiency savings of at least £20m per annum from office support arrangements which can be reinvested in frontline policing.
Whether he plans to roll out the Royal Navy’s (a) Combat Sports Initiative and (b) the Combat Sister Project nationwide.
The Ministry of Defence are pleased that volunteers from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines plan to continue to deliver the Combat Sports Initiative and Combat Sister Project in 2026, at locations across the UK. These initiatives are not Ministry of Defence led; they are independently delivered on a voluntary basis by Service personnel in their own personal time. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines encourage personnel to engage in meaningful voluntary activity within their communities and wishes the programme every success going forward.
Pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026 to question 101527 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, what was the project regarding the ammunition capability of the Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot munitions.
The Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot munitions was one of three ammunitions proposed to be reinstated for use in the 30mm Rarden used by the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle. It did not have a specific project name.
What is the full scope of Project Octopus.
Project OCTOPUS is the first joint UK-Ukraine defence industrial project initiated under Project LYRA and was announced on 10 September 2025 by the Prime Minister. Under Project OCTOPUS, the UK and Ukraine will work together to rapidly optimise an Ukrainian designed air defence interceptor for mass production, with the first units anticipated to start being produced in the UK in the coming weeks, before being sent to Ukraine for testing and operational deployment. The project aims to enable production at scale, with a target of being able to produce thousands of drones per month to support Ukraine's defence needs.
Pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026 to question 101527 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, by when he plans re-publish the 2024-25 Ministry of Defence Accounts and publish a public correction.
I will write to the hon. Member shortly with a full response and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.
Pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2026 to Question 103534 on Uncrewed Systems, when is the design phase due to be completed.
The Uncrewed Systems Centre purpose and function has been agreed for implementation. To ensure alignment with Defence Reform, work on the design, structure and outputs for Full Operating Capability will continue through 2026. Further announcements will be made in due course.
What is the breakdown of the variants of the 623 Boxer vehicles which have been procured by the British Army.
Regarding the breakdown of Boxer variants, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 100025 which remains extant. The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme deliveries from industry are progressing in line with the current forecasted targets. To date, 19 Boxer platforms have been fielded to the British Army.
How many Boxer vehicles have been delivered to the British Army.
Regarding the breakdown of Boxer variants, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 100025 which remains extant. The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme deliveries from industry are progressing in line with the current forecasted targets. To date, 19 Boxer platforms have been fielded to the British Army.
With reference to the Ministry of Defence accounts 2024-25, what did the retirement of the Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers and constructive losses of £58,081,000 relate to.
A decision was announced in November 2024 to retire Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers, effectively mothballed by the last Government, which had not been to sea since 2017 and 2022 respectively. Their retirement reflects value for money for the taxpayer and delivering for defence, by divesting ourselves of old capabilities to make way for the future.The constructive loss of £58,081,000 relates to the write-down of the remaining value of the Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers and their associated capital works, spares and consumables. It has been calculated in line with Managing Public Money and Ministry of Defence accounting policies.
Pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026 to question 101527 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, if he will take steps to revalidate all information in the 2024-25 Ministry of Defence Accounts.
I will write to the hon. Member shortly with a full response and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.