Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Veterans Advisory and Pensions CommitteesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79377More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the future (a) structure, (b) role and (c) responsibilities of the Veterans’ Advisory and Pensions Committees.
Answer: We are reviewing the functions and activities of the Veterans Advisory Pension Commission in relation to wider departmental priorities for the Armed Forces Community. This includes the new VALOUR initiative and the Covenant Legal Duty Extension. The revie...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Marine Systems: FrigatesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79376More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 38 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in delivering an integrated frigate force comprising of (a) crewed, (b) uncrewed and (
Answer: The Royal Navy has made significant early progress in delivering an integrated frigate force comprising crewed, uncrewed, and autonomous platforms, in line with Recommendation 38 of SDR 25. This initiative is central to our future Anti-Submarine Warfare (...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79375More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 37 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in developing an autonomous air dominance system capable of integrating with (a) direc
Answer: Integrated Air and Missile Defence investments will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defe...
Answered 27 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Marine Systems: MinesweepersMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79374More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 37 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in developing an autonomous mine-hunting capability.
Answer: The Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme continues to deliver an advanced suite of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) into service within the Royal Navy, enabling frontline mine warfare specialists to enhance operat...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordRoyal Fleet AuxiliaryMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79373More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the use of commercial vessels to augment the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fleet Solid Support Shi
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continues to assess options for augmenting Fleet Solid Support capabilities in non-contested environments. Commercial vessels are being considered for low-risk logistical roles, offering potential benefits in cost and flexibility. ...
Answered 18 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordWarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79372More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in exploring alternative approaches for the Royal Navy to deliver a (a) balanced and (b)
Answer: The First Sea Lord has outlined a bold new vision for a ‘Hybrid Navy’ as demanded by the Strategic Defence Review. This paradigm shift proposes far greater use of autonomous systems, digitisation, and Artificial Intelligence to create a fleet of crewed an...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMarinesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79371More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in integrating the Royal Marines Commando Force into the UK-led Strategic Reserve Corps.
Answer: The Royal Marines Commando Force continues to make significant progress in integrating into the UK-led Strategic Reserve Corps, in line with the Strategic Defence Review 2025. This integration enhances the UK’s ability to provide rapid, agile, and scalabl...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordTelecommunications Cables: Seas and OceansMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79370More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, when the multi-role ocean survey ship will be deployed to counter threats to critical undersea infrastructure.
Answer: The Royal Navy is acting under the direction provided in the Strategic Defence Review 2025 to lead and co-ordinate work to protect critical undersea infrastructure. This includes new investment capability options for platforms and sensor suites to counter...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNavyMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79369More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in developing a global decision support system for the Royal Navy.
Answer: The Global Decision Support System will transform the Royal Navy’s world leading Maritime Domain Awareness capability, by integrating existing, novel, and commercial data sources to improve situational awareness and deliver decision advantage to commander...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNavyMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79368More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 4106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in improving the Royal Navy’s detection capacity.
Answer: The Royal Navy is integrating existing, novel and commercial sources of data to detect activity at sea into a new Global Decision Support System (GDSS) that will transform the Royal Navy’s world leading Maritime Domain Awareness capability. These streams ...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAircraft Carriers: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79367More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Fund, updated on 8 July 2025, what modifications would be required to aircraft carriers in order to facilitate long-range precision missiles capable of being fi
Answer: Project VANTAGE has recently been established as the maritime element of the UK’s One Way Effectors (OWE) programme, which are long-range uncrewed systems. VANTAGE is an iterative programme, with the first phase focussed on demonstrating OWE launch from a...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAircraft Carriers: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79366More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review, what progress he has made in developing long-range precision missiles capable of being fired from a carrier deck.
Answer: Project VANTAGE has recently been established as the maritime element of the UK’s One Way Effectors (OWE) programme, which are long-range uncrewed systems. VANTAGE is an iterative programme, with the first phase focussed on demonstrating OWE launch from a...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: Military AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79365More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in establishing hybrid carrier airwings.
Answer: Hybrid Air Wings, underpinned by the Royal Navy’s approach to Maritime Aviation Transformation, represents the evolution of the Fleet Air Arm to a crewed-uncrewed mix of drones, fast jets, helicopters and one-way effectors that will deliver enhanced letha...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Safety AuthorityMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79364More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review, updated on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in enhancing the mandate of the Defence Maritime Regulator.
Answer: The Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) is currently developing several options for defence to consider and progress. These options are being developed in conjunction with defence stakeholders and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and will be presente...
Answered 18 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: Autonomous WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79363More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2024, what progress he has made in establishing more flexible regulation in order to facilitate experimentation in autonomy.
Answer: The Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) is currently developing several options for defence to consider and progress. These options are being developed in conjunction with defence stakeholders and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and will be presente...
Answered 18 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordShipbuildingMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79362More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made in ensuring an always on supply line for shipbuilding.
Answer: I refer to the answer provided by the former Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry to the Commons Oral Question 904899 from Graeme Downie MP on 30 June 2025: 'As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review and in the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, ...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordWarships: SonarMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79361More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to box 12 page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in developing acoustic detection systems (a) powered by artificial intelligence and (b) in
Answer: Atlantic Bastion is a portfolio of programmes to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and in support of NATO against a range of underwater threats. It will develop a range of capabilities that enhance existing systems and deploy new platforms into the Nor...
Answered 18 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: Unmanned Marine SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79360More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Box 12 page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what (a) uncrewed surface vessels and (b) uncrewed underwater vehicles are currently in operational service with the
Answer: As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025, Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing underwater threat posed by a modernising Russian submarine force. The UK’s anti...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordType 26 FrigatesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79359More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Box 12 page 15 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, how do mission bays facilitate (a) rapid upgrades and (b) spiral development.
Answer: The Royal Navy has embraced the mission bay concept, which are spaces on our ships into which modular capabilities can be inserted quickly, easily and at very low cost. Mission bays offer the opportunity to support a standardised footprint capability modu...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: North Atlantic OceanMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79358More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Box 12 page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what is the composition of the Atlantic Bastion Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigate force.
Answer: Atlantic Bastion is a portfolio of programmes to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and in support of NATO against a range of underwater threats. It will develop a range of capabilities that enhance existing systems and deploy new platforms into the Nor...
Answered 18 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: North Atlantic OceanMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79357More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Box 12 page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what the full scope is of Atlantic Bastion’s approach.
Answer: Atlantic Bastion is a portfolio of programmes to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and in support of NATO against a range of underwater threats. It will develop a range of capabilities that enhance existing systems and deploy new platforms into the Nor...
Answered 18 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79356More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review, updated on 8 July 2025, if he will list the sites he has considered for the Royal Navy's training estate.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence keeps the Royal Navy’s training estate under regular review to ensure it continues to meet both current and future operational requirements. As part of the Strategic Defence Review, all elements of the training estate are being ass...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNavyMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79355More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what his planned timeframe is for changing the Royal Navy’s personnel balance between (a) regulars and (b) reservists.
Answer: The outputs of the Strategic Defence Review including the recommendation to increase the size of the Active Reserve by 20% are being reviewed through the Defence Investment Plan, with future strategic workforce planning to be modelled into the Royal Navy'...
Answered 21 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordType 45 DestroyersMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79354More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Type 45 destroyers on NATO regional plans.
Answer: Type 45 destroyers are central to the UK's integrated air and missile defence strategy, and they have actively contributed to NATO operations through Carrier Strike Group deployments and singleton deployments with Standing Naval Maritime Groups. Upgrades ...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAmphibious WarfareMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79353More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of littoral strike by the Royal Navy on NATO regional plans.
Answer: The Royal Navy's Littoral Strike capabilities are aligned with NATO's strategic objectives. These capabilities enhance the UK's ability to contribute to NATO operations, particularly in contested and strategically significant regions, and they support the...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament record
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