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
Ajax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105101More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what were the 11 limitations of use on Ajax vehicles in September 2021 that were critical to achieving initial operating capability.
Answer: While it would be inappropriate to release details of the 11 limitations of use identified in the NAO report for security reasons, as a complete list of criteria could, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces, those limitations...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105100More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the order of 589 Ajax hulls have now been built by General Dynamics.
Answer: All 589 Ajax hulls have been produced.
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: NoiseMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 to Question 95908 on Ajax Vehicles: Noise, how many Ajax users have had their hearing (a) decline and (b) be downgraded following audiometer protocols after crewing an Aj
Answer: To obtain the information required to answer the hon. Member’s question in full would incur disproportionate costs due to the amount of data that would need to be obtained.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordShipbuilding: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104944More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential risk of new vessels, intended to support operations at HM Naval Base Clyde, procured by Serco as part of the Royal Navy harbour and support craft element of the Defenc
Answer: Vessels being procured as part of the Defence Marine Services-Next Generation In-Port Services will not be built in China and future maintenance of the vessels will take place in the UK. This Government is stepping up our support for UK shipbuilders. We a...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5th January 2026, to question 100522 on General Dynamics, what was the complete list of criteria for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) that was met on 23 July 2025.
Answer: The Armoured Cavalry Programme met all pre-agreed elements required to confirm Initial Operation Capability on 23 July 2025. The criteria spanned across all recognised Defence Lines of Development including Training, Equipment, Personnel, Information, Doc...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5th January 2026, to question 100522 on General Dynamics, when was a) he or b) the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, informed, formally or informally that all criteria for Aja
Answer: As previously confirmed, prior to Initial Operating Capability being announced on 5 November 2025, assurances and advice were provided to Ministers regarding the safety of the platform and confirming all criteria had been met.
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChallenger TanksMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the decrease in power-to-weight ratio between Challenger 2 and Challenger 3.
Answer: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intent and he will know that Challenger 3 has been designed to deliver an optimal balance of lethality, survivability, and mobility to meet its operational requirements.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation SchemeMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104278More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether people participating in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme will be eligible for promotion.
Answer: The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options ...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation SchemeMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104277More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the projected cost of the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme in a) 2026/27, b) 2027/28 and c) 2028/29.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104276More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project Vanquish.
Answer: Project Vanquish has been launched by the Royal Navy to seek proposals from industry for a Technical Demonstration of a Fixed-Wing, Short Take Off and Landing, Autonomous Collaborative Platform. Vanquish will be a jet-powered aircraft able to take off and...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTyphoon AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104275More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the (a) role and (b) location of the RAF’s Typhoon Squadrons on 1 January 2026.
Answer: The details of the RAF’s Typhoon squadrons and their roles can be found on the RAF website at www.raf.mod.uk
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordIslamic State: Military InterventionMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103969More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when is Operation Shader scheduled to end.
Answer: The UK remains committed to the enduring defeat of Daesh through Op SHADER. Whilst all UK operations remain under constant review, there are no plans to end Op SHADER. The UK will continue to do what is necessary to prevent a Daesh resurgence, support reg...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLandmines: Bomb DisposalMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103964More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made developing the WEEVIL mine-clearance vehicle.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 95410 on 8 December 2025 which remains extant.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces CommissionerMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103963More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, at what stage in the interview process is the forthcoming appointment of the Armed Forces Commissioner.
Answer: Five candidates have been interviewed for the role of the Armed Forces Commissioner to date. The recruitment follows the Governance Code on Public Appointments, which is designed to ensure the process is fair, open, and transparent. We are committed to ap...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBoxer vehicles: ArtilleryMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103962More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current planned dates for the (a) Initial Operating Capability and (b) Full Operating Capability declaration for the RCH 155.
Answer: The Mobile Fires Platform Project which will deliver the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) Calibre Wheeled Artillery System intended to be mounted on Boxer, remains in its assessment phase and is subject to contract. It is therefore too early to ...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation Scheme: Workplace PensionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103961More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what pension scheme will people participating in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme be eligible for.
Answer: The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options ...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation SchemeMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103960More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what will the terms of engagement be for those participating in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme.
Answer: The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options ...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103959More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment was made by his Department of the potential benefits of adopting the Soucy Defence Composite Rubber Track for the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle following the 2017 trial of the system.
Answer: The Composite Rubber Track (CRT) trial conducted in 2017 was a success and achieved its aim of completing 5,000 kilometres on one set of tracks. The trial identified several possible exploitation opportunities in the current and future United Kingdom Armo...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103958More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the standard of work completed by the Ajax Programme’s Joint Acceptance Group with regards to (a) assembly line output, (b) quality control and (c) level of remedial work required b
Answer: As previously announced, there are ongoing reviews into the Ajax programme. An assessment will be made should the outcomes identify any concerns with the vehicle acceptance process.
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103957More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January to Question 98881, on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what issues were (a) identified and then (b) resolved during the pause in delivery of the programme between June 2021-2023.
Answer: In 2021, under the last Government, the Department publicly acknowledged concerns about levels of noise and vibration on the Ajax vehicles. The issues were investigated at the time and appropriate remedial action was put in place. This remedial work was t...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103956More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5 January to Question 100522, on General Dynamics, what additional steps were taken by the Army between 23 July 2026 and 15 September 2026 in order to assess that Ajax had fulfilled the
Answer: The programme met the pre-agreed elements needed for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) on 23 July 2025. Following this, the Army conducted further work to confirm the standard has been met which resulted in IOC being confirmed by the Army internally...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103955More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5 January to Question to 100522, on General Dynamics, what additional steps were taken by him from (a) 23 July 2025 and separately from (b) 15 September 2025, in order to assess that Aja
Answer: The programme met the pre-agreed elements needed for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) on 23 July 2025. Following this, the Army conducted further work to confirm the standard has been met which resulted in IOC being confirmed by the Army internally...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103951More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Pelindaba Treaty on the operation of (a) air and (b) maritime operations from Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.
Answer: The security provisions we have secured as part of the UK-Mauritius Agreement ensure that the UK will continue to have full operational control over Diego Garcia, including unrestricted access to and use of the military base. Both the UK and Mauritius are...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAntiship MissilesMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103950More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2925 to Question 79699 on Antiship Missiles, when in 2026 is the full business case for the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme scheduled to be (a) submitted and (b) appr
Answer: The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme Full Business Case is planned for submission and approval in summer 2026. Existing approvals are in place to support continued work until the end of 2026.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103534More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 20th October 2025 to question 79337 on Uncrewed Systems, what was the outcome of the proposed endorsement of the outline governance proposals for the Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre at t
Answer: The 3-star Uncrewed Systems Steering Group approved the proposal and endorsed the establishment of the Uncrewed Systems Centre in 2026. The specifics of governance and organisation will be communicated formally once the design phase has completed.
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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