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
F-35 Aircraft: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13297More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the difference in capability is between the GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb II and SPEAR 3.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has approved the purchase of the GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) as an interim stand-off weapon for the F-35B, intended to bridge the capability gap until the UK-developed SPEAR 3 enters full operational service. This decisi...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2026 to question 9116 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what improvements to crew compartment heating on the AJAX vehicle platform he plans to make.
Answer: There are a series of upgrades identified to address issues on Ajax and work is underway to action those. I can assure you that the Department continues to work closely with General Dynamics to ensure the programme proceeds safely, responsibly and transpa...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy ReserveMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13293More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2026, to question 8857 on Army Reserve: Finance, what is the baseline figure of personnel within the active reserve upon which the 20% increase will be measured.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review committed to increasing the proportion of active reserves by 20%, when funding allows. This Government has since published the Defence Investment Plan, which includes £4.2 billion of investment in the Reserve Forces between Fi...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMerlin HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13290More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 10778 on Merlin Helicopters, for what reason were the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk.4 fleet not grounded following the crash in Sourton, Devon on 3 June 2025.
Answer: A full investigation is being conducted into the cause of the crash involving a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter on 3 June 2026. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, loved ones and colleagues of those affected during this difficult time...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Cost EffectivenessMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13289More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference on 23 June 2026, what estimate he has made of savings.
Answer: The Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, sets out some measures on how the Department will deliver £10.7 billion of efficiencies and savings alongside wider reforms to prioritisation, affordability and capability delivery.
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAstute Class Submarines: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13288More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2026 to question 7775 on Defence Nuclear Enterprise, what is the a) whole life cost, b) 2025/26 cost and c) 2026/27 budget for Astute.
Answer: The current estimated whole life cost for Astute is £11.59 billion. The Ministry of Defence publishes annual Defence Nuclear Enterprise expenditure in the usual way through the Annual Report and Accounts.
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordGuided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the carriage hours limitations for Brimstone.
Answer: I am withholding this information for reasons of operational security.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the contribution from the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry during the Opposition Day debate on Defence Spending and Readiness on 23 June 2026, if he will list the 47 major defence pro
Answer: The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) Annual Report will be published shortly. This contains details of all major programmes within the Government Major Projects Portfolio at 31 March 2026 along with summaries of perform...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: ShippingMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of selling the crude oil seized when the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessel SMYRTOS was interdicted on 14 June 2026.
Answer: Due to the ongoing National Crime Agency's criminal investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment on the status of the seized crude oil.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13284More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of of 19 June 2026, to question 9116 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what improvements to air filtration on the AJAX vehicle platform does he plan to make.
Answer: There are a series of upgrades identified to address issues on Ajax and work is underway to action those. I can assure you that the Department continues to work closely with General Dynamics to ensure the programme proceeds safely, responsibly and transpa...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordIndia: Jaguar AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many a) GR.1 and b) T.2 SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft have been transferred to the Indian Air Force since 01 January 2026.
Answer: A total of nine Jaguar aircraft have been transferred to the Indian Air Force. Of these, five were the GR1 variant, and four the T2 variant. Of the 42 Jaguar aircraft the Ministry of Defence still holds, 13 are the GR1 variant and none are the T2 variant.
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordJaguar AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13282More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many a) GR.1 and b) T.2 SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft are still held by the Ministry of Defence.
Answer: A total of nine Jaguar aircraft have been transferred to the Indian Air Force. Of these, five were the GR1 variant, and four the T2 variant. Of the 42 Jaguar aircraft the Ministry of Defence still holds, 13 are the GR1 variant and none are the T2 variant.
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13281More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if MQ-9B Reaper is equipped with Air Handler Cheeks.
Answer: I am withholding this information for reasons for operational security.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12890More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Named Day question 10067, due for answer on 18 June 2026.
Answer: Suggestions that the UK’s interdiction of the Russian shadow fleet vessel Smyrtos was staged for publicity purposes are false. While we don’t routinely comment on specific operational details, the footage released was of secondary clearance of all spaces ...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12888More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he made of the feasibility of using the NCA to conduct an interdiction operation on the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026 under the a) Sanctions
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continuously monitors maritime activity in UK waters. Any enforcement action is considered on a case‑by‑case basis. We will not provide details on our decision-making process as this could compromise our ability to successfully tak...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: TankersMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12887More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consideration he gave to interdicting the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continuously monitors maritime activity in UK waters. Any enforcement action is considered on a case‑by‑case basis. We will not provide details on our decision-making process as this could compromise our ability to successfully tak...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12886More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether discussions were held between the UK Government and their French counterparts on potential interdiction of the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026.
Answer: The UK is in regular discussion with our allies to ensure we are ready and able to take action against the dangers posed by the shadow fleet. The interdiction of the SMYRTOS was conducted in close coordination with the French.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12884More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 10485 on F-35 Aircraft: Repairs and Maintenance, by when does he expect the F-35 Joint Program Office to make a decision on the options for the F-35B Enhanced Po
Answer: The Department expects that decisions on the options will be taken within the next 12 months.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12883More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 10485 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, which British units have received delivery of the 20 Malloy Aeronautics T-150 heavy lift uncrewed aerial systems (UAS
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the response I provided to Question 79050 on 20 October 2025.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-10-10/79050
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: ExpenditureMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12882More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 10462 on Defence: Expenditure, for what reason he has used an estimated budget deficit amount from July 2010 rather than the actual figure based on historic acco
Answer: The figures provided were estimates because the Department had no forward settlement due to the General Election in 2010. The Spending Review in October 2010 subsequently set Departmental budgets out to 2014-15.
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12881More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026, to question 10461 on F-35 Aircraft, what is the planning assumption for service entry of the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB-II).
Answer: As the hon. Gentleman will understand I am withholding the planning assumption for service entry, and I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 26 May 2026 to Question 2224. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/202...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12880More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what engagement has his department had with Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW) regarding a new individual weapon as part of Project Grayburn.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN remains in its concept phase, and I am therefore unable to provide details relating to any communications with industry due to commercial sensitivities.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12879More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project Morrighan.
Answer: Project MORRIGHAN is a research and development initiative to explore the use of heavy lift Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) for logistics and, in extremis, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC). The project has run a two-phase experimentation programme, contracting...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12878More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the scope of Project Spielberg.
Answer: Project SPIELBERG provides highly realistic, immersive battle effects simulation technology to support military training. Through structured trials across Defence, Project SPIELBERG has demonstrated battle effect simulation technology can deliver more pro...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: FirearmsMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12877More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2026 to question 5080 on Armed Forces: Firearms, which of the firearms listed were lost in a) the UK or are b) operational losses overseas.
Answer: The security of small arms is taken very seriously within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and we have robust procedures in place to deter, detect and prevent loss and theft which are constantly reviewed. All losses and thefts of small arms are fully and ri...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament record
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