Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Defence: SatellitesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72211More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when satellites (a) Juno and (b) Oberon will be launched.
Answer: The Juno and Oberon satellites are expected to launch in 2027 or 2028.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: SatellitesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72209More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Borealis command, control and data processing system will help better (a) monitor and (b) protect UK satellites.
Answer: In March of this year, this Government announced a new £65 million deal with CGI UK to deliver for our national security by enhancing protection for our satellite technology that millions rely on, while boosting jobs and growth at home.Project BOREALIS wi...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Military AidMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72208More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Military Aid to Civil Authorities taskings have 2 Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems wing conducted since 2022.
Answer: 2 C-UAS Wing have supported 13 Military Aid to Civil Authority requests from 2022 to 2 September 2025. 2 C-UAS provide counter-drone security to high-level Royal and Political engagements, major public events, and can respond to suspected drone incursions...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72207More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of aid dropped in Gaza during Operation Underhill was on target.
Answer: UK Defence delivered approximately 110 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza in 2024. UK aid drops were judged to be accurate and to have landed within the designated drop zones.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72206More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many tonnes of humanitarian aid were delivered to Gaza as part of Operation Underhill.
Answer: UK Defence delivered approximately 110 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza in 2024. UK aid drops were judged to be accurate and to have landed within the designated drop zones.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment and Support: Artificial IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72205More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what AI tools are used by the Defence Equipment and Support Artificial Intelligence and Automation Centre.
Answer: Defence Equipment and Support's (DE&S) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation Team uses a range of tools and techniques to develop software and AI within Defence. Their tools and techniques evolve quickly and in line with the rapid evolution of A...
Answered 7 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordAmmunitionMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72204More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what comparative assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the performance of the (a) 338 Lapua Magnum round and (b) .338 RUAG round for the L115A3 Long Range Rifle.
Answer: Project KEYES is a pre-concept plan to replace the L115 and L121 Sniper rifles in the early 2030s and will reconsider calibre and ammunition natures as it progresses.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: FirearmsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72203More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Lewis machine and tool are included within the Project Grayburn contest for a new British Army individual weapon.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 28 April 2025 to Question 45196, which explains that Project GRAYBURN is in its concept phase with the aim of identifying and understanding capability requirements, which includes consideration of other ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: FirearmsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the requirement of a high/low weapons mix to deliver high-end effectors to meet the challenge of (a) anti access, (b) area denial and (c) very long range threat systems.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Both autonomous and uncrewed technologies features in both Cu...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: International CooperationMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72201More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reconfiguring the European defence industrial base to facilitate (a) collaborative development, (b) shared production and (c) integrated logistics.
Answer: At this critical moment for the security of our continent, it is important that we work together with our European allies to strengthen our collective defence industrial base, recognising that the UK is an essential part of Europe’s security. As part of o...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: Manufacturing IndustriesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72198More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of UK capability to meet the full-spectrum of industrial demands posed by modern high-intensity conflict.
Answer: Through commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department is investing heavily in its supply chain to develop a more, resilient, innovative and agile approach to managing and mitigating risks across the D...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: Manufacturing IndustriesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72197More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what new sites for sovereign production of complex weapons and critical systems have been identified by his Department.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review committed to build at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently developing a plan to deliver this commitment alongside our wider Defence Industrial Strategy, deliver...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordType 83 Destroyers: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72196More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the delivery of the future air superiority effectors programme.
Answer: The Future Air Superiority Effectors programme is currently in pre-concept phase, and work is actively underway to establish a concept phase.
Answered 24 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72195More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of procuring orchestrike for the Royal Air Force.
Answer: While the Ministry of Defence is not currently procuring Orchestrike as a discrete capability, the development of Spear Capability 3 and STRATUS-LO includes the integration of such network-enabled technology.
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72194More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made in developing the Future Cruise/ Anti Ship Weapon.
Answer: SPEAR Capability 5 is being delivered through the collaborative Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme. This is progressing with our European partners and it has recently entered the demonstration phase. The programme is designed to be integrated on Typ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: Military AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72193More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what aircraft will SPEAR Capability 5’s (a) low-observable TP15 and (b) supersonic RJ10 be compatible.
Answer: SPEAR Capability 5 is being delivered through the collaborative Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme. This is progressing with our European partners and it has recently entered the demonstration phase. The programme is designed to be integrated on Typ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72192More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made in developing SPEAR Capability 5.
Answer: SPEAR Capability 5 is being delivered through the collaborative Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme. This is progressing with our European partners and it has recently entered the demonstration phase. The programme is designed to be integrated on Typ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72191More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the SPEAR Capability 4 will be operationally ready.
Answer: SPEAR Capability 4 reached Full Operational Capability on Typhoon in 2022. The system remains in-service with Typhoon.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72190More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to procure the General Atomics MQ-9B SeaGurdian for maritime ISR operations.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government endorses the Review's vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. As referenced in recommendation ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72189More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, will the Royal Air Force’s Protector MQ-9B be certified by the (a) civilian aviation authority and (b) the military aviation authority.
Answer: As a military registered air system, Protector RG Mk1 only requires certification by the Military Aviation Authority, who issued the Military Type Certificate for the air system in April 2025. Protector is already capable of operating in Class A and C air...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: FactoriesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72120More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the size of (a) domestic and (b) overseas orders that would be required to maintain 100% of workforce skills at the Warton assembly line.
Answer: As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, this Government is committed to ensuring Defence is an engine for growth, driving jobs and prosperity through a new partnership with industry. The Department continues to work very closely with our most importa...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72119More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many StormShrouds will be procured by the Royal Air Force.
Answer: I am withholding the number of StormShrouds to be procured as it would harm the Capability and Effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72118More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how does StormShroud function autonomously as part of the RAF’s Autonomous Collaborative Platforms.
Answer: StormShroud supports RAF F-35B Lightning and Typhoon pilots by jamming enemy radars, which increases the survivability and operational effectiveness of our crewed aircraft. As StormShroud is the first Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) introduced int...
Answered 18 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72117More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what projects will be delivered via the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office beyond StormShroud.
Answer: The Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) remit is to solve problems on behalf of the warfighter, enhancing the capabilities delivered to the front line by exploring game-changing technologies for the Royal Air Force. Many projects are Technology Demonstrations...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: EarthquakesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72116More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Kamchatka earthquake on the (a) Russian submarine fleet and (b) Russian Pacific surface fleet at Rybachiy.
Answer: While the Department can't comment on specific intelligence related to this matter in the interests of maintaining national security. The hon. member can be reassured that assessments of Russian capability continue to be an important activity for the Depa...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament record
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