Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
NATO: Armed ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79502More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what the criteria are that determine Level (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 of NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026.
Answer: The criteria that determine Level (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 of NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026 are outlined in NATO's Minimum Capability Requirements, which are captured in the NATO Defence Planning Process. The Minimum Capability Requirements are h...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNATO: Armed ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79501More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what the UK’s contribution is to NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026.
Answer: The UK’s contribution to NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026 includes units such as the Army Rangers and the UK Commando Force. These units provide the special operations-capable forces required to improve the UK’s warfighting capabilities, as well a...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79500More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what units are included within the single Service-designated Special Operations Forces.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review was clear that the current threat environment means Defence needs greater choice and resilience across the spectrum of military effects. Units such as the Army Rangers and the Commando Force will provide the special operations...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Forces: Military AidMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79499More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what specialist military capabilities Special Forces provide in support of (a) the police and (b) civil authorities.
Answer: It is the longstanding policy of successive Governments not to comment on the details of the activity, personnel or capabilities of the UK Special Forces.
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79498More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on enhancing Special Forces.
Answer: It is the longstanding policy of successive Governments not to comment on the details of the activity, personnel or capabilities of the UK Special Forces.
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPermanent Joint Headquarters: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79497More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 52 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 8 July 2025, what progress has he made on ensuring Permanent Joint Headquarters is more resilient to (a) physical and (b) cyber at
Answer: PJHQ's critical role in UK operations is recognised, and its resilience is constantly undergoing review in light of evolving threats. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that for operational security reasons I cannot comment on specific measure...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPermanent Joint Headquarters: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79496More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 125 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of relocating PJHQ to avoid unnecessary risks to the assured command
Answer: PJHQ's critical role in UK operations is recognised, and its resilience is constantly undergoing review in light of evolving threats. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that for operational security reasons I cannot comment on specific measure...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPermanent Joint Headquarters: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79495More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 125 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what resilience PJHQ has to (a) air and (b) missile strikes.
Answer: PJHQ's critical role in UK operations is recognised, and its resilience is constantly undergoing review in light of evolving threats. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that for operational security reasons I cannot comment on specific measure...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPermanent Joint HeadquartersMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79494More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 35 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress the Chief of Joint Operations has made on establishing a single view of operational requirements for the def
Answer: A considered and detailed analysis has been conducted in relation to the matter raised. I hope that the Hon. Gentleman will understand that for operational security reasons I cannot comment on specific measures or assessments.
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director GroupMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what functions will be included within the National Armaments Director group.
Answer: The National Armaments Director Group was established in March 2025 and is still being designed. It currently includes five enabling organisations and four newly established areas: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)Defence SupportDefence Equ...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director GroupMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by when the (a) Defence Support and (b) Defence Digital will move to the National Armaments Director group.
Answer: Defence Support was integrated into the National Armament Director (NAD) Group as of 1 April 2025. Defence Digital moved into the (NAD) Group on 1 July 2025.
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: InnovationMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the role of the jHub is within Strategic Command.
Answer: JHub delivers numerous innovation workstreams in support of operations to users across Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (formerly UK Strategic Command) and works closely with the new UK Defence Innovation organisation. These innovation projects spe...
Answered 21 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79490More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which units fall under the umbrella of Special Operations Forces.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review was clear that the current threat environment means Defence needs greater choice and resilience across the spectrum of military effects. Units such as the Army Rangers and the Commando Force will provide the special operations...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79489More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made on exploring the use of the stratosphere with vehicles capable of carrying higher payloads for missions lasting over 6 months.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 September, to Question 76405. Options for exploring the use of the stratosphere with vehicles capable of carrying high payloads for extended period are being pursued through Project AETHER, which is i...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordISTAR: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79488More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the outcome was of the high-altitude uncrewed balloon tests conducted in South Dakota, USA under Project Aether.
Answer: The trials in South Dakota were successful and achieved or surpassed all intended test objectives. The objectives included:Providing 24-hour Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage in high-latitude winter conditions at high-altitude;...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordISTARMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79487More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project AETHER.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 September, to Question 76405. Project AETHER is at the trial phase. Initial planning is underway for a further trial, following the completion of the project first two trials.
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79486More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 55 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a government-wide review of handling processes for intelligence material.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State (Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry) on 6 September 2025 to question 70782.
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79485More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 54 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a new Defence Intelligence Charter.
Answer: As set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), work to establish a single defence intelligence enterprise under the banner of 'Military Intelligence Services' (MIS) is continuing. Key stakeholders across Defence have been consulted, and draft proposals...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Intelligence: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79484More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 53 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a strong training offer that nurtures critical specialist skills.
Answer: The Defence Intelligence Academy was established in October 2025 by Commander Cyber and Specialist Operations Command and the Chief of Defence Intelligence as part of Defence’s efforts to ensure a strong training offer. The programme to do so has focussed...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security: StaffMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79483More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 53 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a cross-government national security workforce strategy.
Answer: Developing a future-ready, purpose-driven, agile, and resilient workforce will be essential to meet the complex national security environment of tomorrow. Aligned with the Strategic Defence Review vision, Defence will work in conjunction with partners acr...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Intelligence ServicesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79482More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 128 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a single counter-intelligence unit by November 2025.
Answer: There has been a concerted effort of stakeholder engagement across Defence, alongside partners, to ensure the Department is ready to establish a new Defence CI Unit (DCIU) to tackle the threats we face. There are a number of internal decisions to review, ...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79481More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 128 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on driving improvements to (a) intelligence capability and (b) shared services within Military Intelligence Services.
Answer: As set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), work to establish a single defence intelligence enterprise under the banner of 'Military Intelligence Services' (MIS) is continuing. Key stakeholders across Defence have been consulted, and draft proposals...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79480More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 128 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on aligning (a) architecture and (b) standards with the (i) defence-wide digital network, (ii) platforms and (iii) servic
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not comment on the detail of networks operating at Secret or above for reasons of national security. While the Strategic Defence Review 2025 outlines our ambition to align architecture and standards across defence digita...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79479More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 128 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on improving data-sharing with the UK intelligence community through adoption of (a) common data standards, (b) handling
Answer: Collaboration with partners across Government, including the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC), is essential to Defence outputs-both in routine activity and on operations. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) sets a clear ambition to strengthen collaboration...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79478More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 128 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on breaking down barriers to collaboration with partners across government.
Answer: Collaboration with partners across Government, including the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC), is essential to Defence outputs-both in routine activity and on operations. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) sets a clear ambition to strengthen collaboration...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament record
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