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
Cyprus: HMS DragonMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117957More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Royal Navy Type 45 will replace HMS Dragon within the NATO Maritime Group One role following its emergency deployment to Cyprus.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 March 2026 to Question 115467.
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAustralia: Iron and SteelMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117503More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue: Joint Statement, published in 23 February 2026, what steps he has taken to explore options that maximise opportuni
Answer: I was pleased to host Minister Pat Conroy for the first Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue since 2018. As one of our closest allies, we had constructive discussions on how we can work together towards a safer and prosperous future. A cornerstone of do...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: LogisticsMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117502More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project ONION.
Answer: You will note the recent publication on the Gov.UK website on 24 February which confirmed that the Ministry of Defence has trialled a series of projects designed to improve the UK's ability to outload munitions quickly and at scale. ONION seeks to capture...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: LogisticsMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117501More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project PAXO.
Answer: PAXO is a project to look at ways of packing munitions more efficiently. It tests new tools and methods to speed up loading munitions into shipping containers making the process faster, safer and less labour-intensive.
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: LogisticsMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117500More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project SAGE.
Answer: SAGE is a project to test the use of satellite communications, 4G, and Wi-Fi in places or buildings where digital signals are normally restricted.
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRAF Akrotiri: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117499More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any elements of No. 2 Force Protection Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing deployed to the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekalia during the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Answer: No.2 Force Protection Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing was deployed to the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri before the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRAF Akrotiri: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117498More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has launched an investigation into the inability of UK and US counter-Uncrewed Air Systems defences to intercept the drone that struck the runway at RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Answer: Since January, we have sent additional air defence assets to Cyprus, including radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets, and ground-based air defence. We have deployed HMS DRAGON along with Merlin airborne surveillance helicopters and Wildcat helic...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRAF Akrotiri: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117497More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the inability of UK and US counter-Uncrewed Air Systems defences to intercept the drone that struck the runway at RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Answer: Since January, we have sent additional air defence assets to Cyprus, including radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets, and ground-based air defence. We have deployed HMS DRAGON along with Merlin airborne surveillance helicopters and Wildcat helic...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordIran: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117495More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions has he had with his a) US counterparts or b) senior US military personnel, regarding the effectiveness of the US military’s one-way effectors used in the attack on Iran.
Answer: The US is the UK’s closest defence and security partner. The Secretary of State and his officials are in regular contact with US counterparts on a range of topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our two nations. You would not expect me to go int...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117494More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many ORCUS counter-UAS systems have been procured by the Ministry of Defence.
Answer: I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ResearchMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project Synergia.
Answer: Project SYNERGIA is the Royal Air Force's research and development programme to inform the requirements for a core capability to provide protection for fixed sites from the threat of drones.
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIran: RAF AkrotiriMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what country was the launch location of the drone that struck the runway during the attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a drone targeted RAF Akrotiri on 2 March was not launched from Iran. Our best assessment is that it came from Lebanon or Iraq.
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIran: RAF AkrotiriMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the type of drone struck the runway during the attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a drone targeted RAF Akrotiri on 2 March was not launched from Iran. Our best assessment is that it came from Lebanon or Iraq.
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChina: NavyMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117489More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the use of the Shuiqiao landing barge by the Chinese navy.
Answer: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s Shuiqiao landing barge is a significant development in China’s amphibious power projection capability. As laid out in last year’s Strategic Defence Review, the UK recognises China's rapid military modernisation an...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116993More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has received the completed Defence Finance and Investment Strategy.
Answer: As set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS) is set to be developed by early 2026. It is currently on track for publication in spring, and the Secretary of State for Defence has been kept informed of th...
Answered 5 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: InfrastructureMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116971More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he has received the overarching Infrastructure Recapitalisation Plan as per Recommendation 59 of the Strategic Defence Review.
Answer: The overarching Infrastructure Recapitalisation Plan, as outlined in Recommendation 59 of the Strategic Defence Review, has not yet been submitted.
Answered 5 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: AnthropicMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116969More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has any current contracts with Anthropic.
Answer: The Department does not hold any contracts with Anthropic.
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIran: Armed ConflictMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116968More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any British military personnel were involved in the (a) planning or (b) intelligence gathering for the US attack on Iran.
Answer: No British military personnel were involved in the planning for the US attack on Iran. It is the longstanding policy of successive Governments that we do not comment on intelligence matters.
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAntiship MissilesMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116967More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025 to question 79699 on Antiship Missiles, by what date will the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme full business case receive a decision on approval.
Answer: The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme continues to move towards its Full Business Case approval in 2026. The schedule for completing the approval process is structured to allow continued delivery of industry work (where approvals are already in pla...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116965More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2025 to question 79399 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Procurement, how much funding will he provide to counter-drone capability to RAF Akrotiri.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually monitors the threat posed to the UK and our interests, and has processes in place to rapidly deliver capability required by specific Operational Commanders to manage risks to life that arise around the world. Inte...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordOttawa ConventionMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116421More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty.
Answer: His Majesty's Government has noted the withdrawal of Finland, Estonia and Poland from the Ottawa Convention. The UK acknowledges and shares concerns about the security environment in the region as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. We also ...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordOttawa ConventionMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116419More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential impactions for his policies of the recent withdrawals of a) Poland, b) Estonia and c) Finland from the Ottawa Treaty.
Answer: His Majesty's Government has noted the withdrawal of Finland, Estonia and Poland from the Ottawa Convention. The UK acknowledges and shares concerns about the security environment in the region as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. We also ...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNorway: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116390More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many M270 launchers have been procured from Norway.
Answer: The UK has acquired 11 M270A0 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems launchers from Norway.
Answered 6 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116389More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made in upgrading the M270B1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems to A2 standard.
Answer: The Multiple Launch Rocket Systems launchers and Repair and Recovery Vehicles (RRVs) are on contract to be upgraded to the A2 standard. Two launchers have now been delivered to the UK and a further 13 launchers and two RRVs are currently on the production...
Answered 6 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGuided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116388More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current size of the Royal Artillery’s M270B1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems fleet.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has an operational fleet of 21 M270B1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, comprising launcher and repair and recovery vehicle variants.
Answered 6 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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