Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions 2026
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Written questions
Rifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106654More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he made of the potential benefits of including an upper receiver which can accommodate 6.5 Creedmoor as part of Project Grayburn.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN is currently in its concept phase. An important output of this phase will be the definition of user requirements, covering the full range of performance characteristics, including calibre and operating system.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordType 83 Destroyers: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106653More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to question 72379, whether the outline business case is on track to be submitted in June 2026.
Answer: The Type 83 concept is currently under review against the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy Strategy. Future business case approval remains subject to the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106652More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the role of the Permanent Secretary in the delivery of the Ajax programme since 23 July 2025.
Answer: As with all major defence programmes, including Ajax, the role of the Permanent Secretary as the Departmental Accounting Officer, is to ensure the proper management of defence funds, ensuring regularity and propriety. Regarding the Army’s Ajax programme, ...
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: MinesweepersMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106651More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many MineWolf MW370 uncrewed mine and route clearance systems have been purchased by his Department.
Answer: In 2023, the Ministry of Defence procured two MineWolf MW370 systems which were donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The British Army uses various systems to deliver mine and route clearance capability, but for operational security considerations, deta...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106364More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 105103 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what the value is of contractual payments to General Dynamics for the Ajax programme made since 23 July 2025.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence paid General Dynamics Land Systems UK £192 million in line with contractual obligations for the Ajax programme between 23 July 2025 and 12 Jan 2026.
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNuclear Submarines: DeploymentMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many operational SSN’s were at sea as of 1 January 2026.
Answer: It is UK policy not to disclose the operational availability or deployment details of submarines, including SSNs, as doing so would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of our Armed Forces.
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the out-of-service date is for a) Terrier, b) Titan and c) Trojan.
Answer: The current Out of Service Dates (OSDs) for the platforms can be found in the table below: PlatformOSDsFuchs2029Stormer2028 (extended from 2026)Terrier2043Titan2032Trojan2040 OSDs are continuously reviewed to ensure that the British Army has the capabilit...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the out-of-service date is for Fuchs CBRN.
Answer: The current Out of Service Dates (OSDs) for the platforms can be found in the table below: PlatformOSDsFuchs2029Stormer2028 (extended from 2026)Terrier2043Titan2032Trojan2040 OSDs are continuously reviewed to ensure that the British Army has the capabilit...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106284More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the out-of-service date is for Stormer.
Answer: The current Out of Service Dates (OSDs) for the platforms can be found in the table below: PlatformOSDsFuchs2029Stormer2028 (extended from 2026)Terrier2043Titan2032Trojan2040 OSDs are continuously reviewed to ensure that the British Army has the capabilit...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873 regarding Project Grayburn, what proportion of the weapon system will be manufactured in the UK.
Answer: As the project is at concept phase it is not clear yet what proportion of each weapon system will be manufactured in the United Kingdom but I can assure the hon. Member that it is desirable for the project to create skilled employment in the UK as set out...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106281More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what direction was provided to Defence Equipment and Support by the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee regarding Project GRAYBURN.
Answer: As the project is at concept phase it is not clear yet what proportion of each weapon system will be manufactured in the United Kingdom but I can assure the hon. Member that it is desirable for the project to create skilled employment in the UK as set out...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873 regarding Project Grayburn, what weapons are included within the wider dismounted close combat weapons portfolio.
Answer: As the project is at concept phase it is not clear yet what proportion of each weapon system will be manufactured in the United Kingdom but I can assure the hon. Member that it is desirable for the project to create skilled employment in the UK as set out...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106278More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873 regarding Project Grayburn, what level of a) current and b) emerging body armour the new rifle is required to be able to defeat.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN will deliver a capability that will be able to defeat most prolific body armour types used by adversaries. The project remains in its concept phase and it is therefore too early to provide additional detail. However, due to operational se...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106277More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873 regarding Project Grayburn, what barrel length is required to fulfil the criteria of a) Dismounted Close Combat and b) Dismounted Close Combat (Short) and c) Pe
Answer: The decision on who needs a Dismounted Close Combat rifle versus a Generalist rifle will be based upon a wide range of criteria. The exact criteria will be determined during the Concept Phase. However, the list of criteria is likely to include the user ro...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106276More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873 regarding Project Grayburn, what criteria will be required to be fulfilled to distinguish between the a) Dismounted Close Combat and b) Generalist variants.
Answer: The decision on who needs a Dismounted Close Combat rifle versus a Generalist rifle will be based upon a wide range of criteria. The exact criteria will be determined during the Concept Phase. However, the list of criteria is likely to include the user ro...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChallenger TanksMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106275More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what upgrades will be made to increase the a) power and b) torque of the Perkins CV12-6A V12 diesel engine as part of the Challenger 3 programme.
Answer: As a precursor to the conversion of Challenger 2 to Challenger 3, the Heavy Armour Automotive Improvement Programme introduced a series of upgrades to the automotive system, including bringing the Perkins CV12‑6A engine to a common build standard. Options...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPolice and Crime CommissionersHome OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106084More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026, to question 101929 on Police and Crime Commissioners, what is the composition of the £100m the Government expects to save in this Parliament as a result of a
Answer: The Government expects to save at least £100m from abolishing the PCC model this Parliament. This includes savings from cancelling future PCC elections, with the last elections in 2024 costing approximately £87m.In addition, we expect to generate efficien...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106083More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by when will he respond to Written Question 98879, submitted on 10 December 2025.
Answer: 170 Ajax platforms have been delivered to Field Army Units up to and including 1 December 2025. The breakdown by variant is as follows: AJAX87ARES33ATHENA25ARGUS3APOLLO13ATLAS9
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: ExpenditureMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106082More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence accounts 2024-25, what did the Melorius write-off and constructive losses of £12,552,000 relate to.
Answer: Initiated to replace an in-service capability, MELORIUS was a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Medical Countermeasure project to rapidly develop and provide immediate treatment to a person exposed to a Nerve Agent.A Commercial Off The...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave RulerMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106081More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence accounts 2024-25, what did the retirement of the Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers and constructive losses of £58,081,000 relate to.
Answer: A decision was announced in November 2024 to retire Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers, effectively mothballed by the last Government, which had not been to sea since 2017 and 2022 respectively. Their retirement reflects value for money for the taxpayer ...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBoxer Vehicles: ArtilleryMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106080More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Royal Artillery regiments will be equipped with RCH155.
Answer: On current plans, RCH 155 will initially be fielded to 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery and 19 Regiment Royal Artillery. However, analysis of future force structures is ongoing, and the final fielding plan remains subject t...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBoxer Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106079More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Boxer vehicles have been delivered to the British Army.
Answer: Regarding the breakdown of Boxer variants, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 100025 which remains extant. The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme deliveries from industry are progressing in line with the current forecasted...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBoxer Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106078More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the breakdown of the variants of the 623 Boxer vehicles which have been procured by the British Army.
Answer: Regarding the breakdown of Boxer variants, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 100025 which remains extant. The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme deliveries from industry are progressing in line with the current forecasted...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGeneral Dynamics Land Systems: Ajax VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106077More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential risk of closure of the General Dynamics Land Systems UK factory in Merthyr Tydfil following the completion of the 589 Ajax vehicles in 2027.
Answer: While the future of the Merthyr Tydfil factory is a matter for General Dynamics Land Systems UK, I have frequent engagement with representatives from General Dynamics, the Welsh Government and the local MPs regarding the Ajax platform.
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106076More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026 to question 101527 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, what was the project regarding the ammunition capability of the Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding S
Answer: The Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot munitions was one of three ammunitions proposed to be reinstated for use in the 30mm Rarden used by the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle. It did not have a specific project name.
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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