Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
Written questions by answering department
4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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2023 published records · newest first.
Written questions
AUKUS: Nuclear SubmarinesMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6952More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Cutting-edge underwater tech for AUKUS forces to be developed through landmark partnership, published on 30 May 2026, from what month and year will the first UK deploy
Answer: Submarine Rotational Force-West is on track to be established in 2027, as confirmed in the joint AUKUS Defence Ministers’ statement of 30 May 2026. The UK has reaffirmed its commitment to maintain a rotational presence as part of Submarine Rotational Forc...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAUKUSMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6951More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Cutting-edge underwater tech for AUKUS forces to be developed through landmark partnership, published on 30 May 2026, what are the first capabilities expected to be in
Answer: The first capabilities expected to be in service by 2027 will focus on rapidly deployable, interoperable payloads that deliver immediate operational benefit.
Answered 11 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAUKUSMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6950More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Cutting-edge underwater tech for AUKUS forces to be developed through landmark partnership, published on 30 May 2026, how will the Royal Navy be able to integrate payl
Answer: The AUKUS Pillar 2 signature project will enable the Royal Navy to integrate payloads from the United States and Australia through the development of interoperable systems for uncrewed underwater vehicles. The AUKUS partners will agree interface standards...
Answered 11 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6949More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made in delivering a short take-off and landing, jet powered Autonomous Collaborative Platform capable of operating from a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier via Project VANQUISH.
Answer: Progress on Project VANQUISH is focused on feasibility, industry engagement, and option development ahead of any acquisition decisions. While investment decisions remain subject to the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan, the Royal Navy, working with i...
Answered 15 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: SoftwareMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6948More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by when does he expect the combat capable release of new software for the F-35B to be available to the UK Lightning Force.
Answer: The F-35B is an operationally deployable combat aircraft. Capability is enhanced through regular, incremental software releases delivered through the global F-35 programme, rather than a single combat capable release.
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6946More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what date is the Royal Navy’s Maritime Data Gathering programme due to deliver its key milestones.
Answer: Detailed delivery timelines for the Royal Navy’s Maritime Data Gathering programme remain in development.
Answered 11 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordEuropean Union: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6945More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out the (a) Royal Navy and (b) RAF's commitments to the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative.
Answer: As a leading European Carrier Strike nation, the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force play a key role in the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative, contributing to multinational efforts that strengthen interoperability and enable more effective and...
Answered 12 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHawk AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2026 to Question 5114 on Hawk Aircraft, if he will list the tail numbers of the Hawk T1 aircraft removed from the Military Aircraft Register since 16 January 2025.
Answer: XX159 and XX301 have been deregistered and retired from service.
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: ShippingMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6674More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet vessels have transited through UK waters since 24 March 2026.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continually monitors all activity within UK waters. We will not provide details on the numbers of vessels or our decision-making process as this could compromise our ability to successfully take action against sanctioned ships, onl...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordUSA: NATOMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6673More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the UK's NATO Force Model contributions of the decision by the US of rightsizing its own contributions, as announced at NATO headquarters in Brussels on 22 M
Answer: We welcome the US’s briefing which enables NATO Allies to plan and sequence the shift as part of greater European burden sharing. The UK is a fully committed Ally; we offer almost all our Armed Forces and significant capability contributions to NATO. Curr...
Answered 12 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6576More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by when he plans to procure the GBU-53 StormBreaker Small Diameter Bomb II.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 26 May 2026 to Question 2224. As the hon. Gentleman will understand I am withholding the date that this capability will be available as it would harm the capability, effectiveness, and security of the Ar...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6575More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Modini DART 250 he has procured.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose details of munitions procured or held in service, as doing so could prejudice the operational effectiveness and security of the Armed Forces.
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6574More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of reverting the order for 12 F-35As back to 12 F-35Bs on the public purse.
Answer: Future procurement for F-35A aircraft will be outlined in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAUKUS: Artificial IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6571More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of the Resilient and Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Technologies Project Arrangement.
Answer: The Resilient Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence Technologies Project Agreement (RAAIT PA) aims to accelerate and enhance the AUKUS partners’ ability to perform complex operations using Autonomous and Artificial Intelligence Systems and Technologies wit...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBoeing P-8: Artificial IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6569More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2026 to Question 3447 on AUKUS: Artificial Intelligence, whether AI has been deployed on Royal Air Force P8 aircraft to date.
Answer: The AI algorithms in question were developed trilaterally using expertise across all three AUKUS nations. The algorithms are planned to be flown on our P8 aircraft in the future. The UK are currently benefitting from access to data, insights and operation...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6559More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the scope of the Army Warfighting Experiment.
Answer: The Army Warfighting Experiment is a continuous programme that tests and develops emerging military technologies and warfighting concepts. It brings together industry and military partners to evaluate capabilities to enhance operation effectiveness and in...
Answered 11 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS Iron DukeMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6558More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date is HMS Iron Duke scheduled to retire.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 112210 on 18 February 2026 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-02-10/112210
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence Energy EnterpriseMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6557More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the scope of the Defence Energy Enterprise.
Answer: The Defence Energy Enterprise brings together operational and estates energy, the Oil and Pipelines Agency and the Defence Energy and Capability Centre of Excellence (DECX), enabling coordinated and coherent end‑to‑end management of energy. The Enterprise...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: ShippingMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6504More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2026 to Question 2959 on Shipping: Russia, which specific articles of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea have been used by the Royal Navy to justify conducting maritime inter
Answer: The Royal Navy (RN) supports enforcement bodies in their maritime interdiction operations in accordance with the United Kingdom’s obligations and rights under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It do...
Answered 11 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6172More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Nyan one-way effectors he has procured for the Royal Artillery in 2026.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence does not routinely release details of munitions procured or held in service, as the release of this information could prejudice the operational effectiveness and security of the Armed Forces.
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: EnginesMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6171More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the fleet of 47 F-35Bs have been upgraded to Technology Refresh 3.
Answer: Thirteen of the United Kingdom’s 47 F-35B aircraft have been upgraded to the Technology Refresh 3 standard.
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6170More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the pilot-to-aircraft ratio is of the F-35B.
Answer: I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or the security of the Armed Forces.
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6169More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who was contractually responsible for the recovery of the Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning II’s (a) ZM177 and (b) ZM179 from Lajes International Airport.
Answer: The US Government manages delivery transit flights via the F-35 Joint Programme Office and its suite of support contracts.
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAmmunition: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6168More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2926 to Question 3168 on Ammunition: Procurement, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of adopting the 6mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge for use in specialist weapons.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence regularly assesses the effectiveness of small arms ammunition to ensure that personnel are equipped with the most appropriate capability. Current work is focused on assessing a range of calibres to improve the performance of some s...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordGlobal Combat Air Programme: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6165More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2026 to question 2963 on Global Combat Air Programme: Finance, by when will he sign the full international contract.
Answer: The UK remains committed to the Global Combat Air Programme. Our focus remains on continuing to work closely with Italy and Japan on the next steps towards the full international contract.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament record
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