Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions 2026
2827 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15065More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project PANTHEON.
Answer: Project PANTHEON is a spiral development programme designed to transition the majority of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Strike and Logistic Lift effects currently delivered by Royal Navy Merlin and Wildcat helicopters to Vertical an...
Answered 10 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordWarrior Vehicles: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15064More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2025, to question 50621 on Warrior Vehicles: MOD Ashchurch whether plans for Warrior beyond its Out of Service Date have been formally agreed.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 44696, which remains extant and explains that plans for Warrior past its Out of Service Date are yet to be formalised.
Answered 10 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: EnginesMinistry of DefenceTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15063More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2026 to question 11273 on F-35 Aircraft: Engines, what is the current global F-35 programme’s timeline for the transition from Technology Refresh 2 to Technology Refresh 3.
Answer: The transition from Technology Refresh 2 to Technology Refresh 3 for F-35 is still under consideration by the Global Programme, however, the UK expects to understand the transition plan in the next 12 months.
Answered 9 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15062More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 19 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what is his planned timetable for publishing a clear definition of a British company.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of a clear and consistent definition of a British company. Work is underway, supported by industry, to achieve this and further details will be published in due course.
Answered 10 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: ContractsMinistry of DefenceTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15061More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 22 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, if he will publish a list detailing (a) the winners and (b) the value of each of the 1,400 major defence contracts signed
Answer: Of the 1,400 major defence contracts signed since July 2024, establishing which contracts are not subject to sensitivity restrictions, and the details can therefore be published could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Contracts which are not subj...
Answered 10 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15060More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 22 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what is his planned timetable for completing the refresh of the Combat Air Strategy.
Answer: The refresh of the Combat Air Strategy is a vital next step in delivering the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan. The strategy will be developed in the Autumn of 2026.
Answered 13 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15059More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 6 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, which projects on the current specified and prioritised list are yet to be started as new capability work as assessed by th
Answer: This Government has taken difficult but necessary choices to prioritise capability that reflects modern warfare, ensuring resources are focused on what will deliver advantage in the years ahead.The Ministry of Defence will only start new capability work o...
Answered 23 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15058More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the Rt. Hon Member for Makerfield was given (a) full visibility of the content and b) a detailed breakdown of the economic cost and future funding requirements of the Defence Investment Plan prior to Tuesday 3
Answer: Discussions with parliamentary colleagues on defence issues take place on a regular basis.
Answered 9 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14539More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 7 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what is his Department's planned timetable for making the £500 million modernisation fund available.
Answer: The £500 million modernisation fund announced in the Defence Investment Plan published on 30 June 2026 will be made available this financial year 2026-27.
Answered 13 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceTreasuryTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14538More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 3, whether defence will be the number one priority at the next spending review.
Answer: As stated in the Defence Investment Plan, the government is committed to increasing defence spending to 3.0% GDP in the next parliament. Funding to achieve this will be set out at the next spending review, where defence will be the number one priority.
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14537More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the difference between the former Field Army Headquarters and the new single Army Headquarters.
Answer: As part of the ongoing Army Reform programme, the former Field Army Headquarters, which was responsible for the generation, preparation and employment of Land Forces, has been merged with Army Headquarters to form a single unified command. This streamline...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAir Force: InfrastructureMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14536More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project TRENCHARD.
Answer: Project Trenchard is a Royal Air Force infrastructure programme with planned investment of £10 billion over 10 years. The project seeks to reverse decades of estate decline by prioritising activity that will improve operational readiness and resilience as...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAerospace IndustryMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14535More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project CASTRA.
Answer: Project CASTRA is the overarching term for a range of infrastructure programmes that are delivering modernisation and betterment across the Army estate, enabling resilience, readiness and an improved lived experience. This includes: the Army Single Living...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Military Bases and WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14534More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project Royal Oak.
Answer: Project Royal Oak will sustain and enhance core maritime infrastructure, using £26 billion investment over the next decade. The scope is across HMNB Clyde, HMNB Portsmouth and HMNB Devonport, and works will be tailored to the needs of each naval base and ...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMinesweepers: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14533More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 46 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, by when will he procure offshore support vessels, in conjunction with Norway, to support the autonomous minehunting progra
Answer: The Defence Investment Plan announced a further £90 million of additional investment in the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) to procure Offshore Support Vessels (OSV) in conjunction with Norway. The Offshore Support Vessels are currently in the design stage ...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14532More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his foreword in the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, if he will set out the amount of GDP to be spent on defence by the end of the decade to the third decimal place.
Answer: NATO qualifying defence spend is currently expected to reach 2.68% in 2029-30, nearly £3 billion more than under prior plans. We do not report NATO qualifying spend to three decimal places due to the variances in projected GDP figures. Further defence spe...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTyphoon AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14531More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, Table 7: Spending on the Air Domain, what is the scope of the £5.4 billion in platform-based spending on Typhoon.
Answer: The £5.4 billion funds UK Typhoon and our participation in the European programme out to 2040 and provides the baseline to keep our aircraft operating into the 2040s. It will upgrade radars, communications and weapons systems across the fleet, as well as ...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordContingency ReserveTreasuryTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14530More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether any of the £15 billion increase in her department’s budget is comprised of funds from the contingency reserve.
Answer: The government has confirmed an additional £15 billion for the Defence Investment Plan between 2026-27 and 2029-30. This package has been funded by reprioritising public spending, acting within our fiscal rules and without taking resources away from day-t...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Motor VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14529More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what platform the Future All Terrain Vehicle is based.
Answer: The Future All‑Terrain Vehicle (FATV) is an enhanced variant of the BAE Systems BvS10 armoured all‑terrain vehicle and will replace the Arctic‑capable Viking amphibious vehicles currently in service. Vehicle production has commenced, and trials and testin...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14528More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 73 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, by when the programme to develop UK autonomous jets will begin.
Answer: The programme to develop UK autonomous jets leverages years of work in autonomy and remotely piloted aircraft. The £300 million investment represents a programme to develop UK collaborative combat aircraft, working with industry and leveraging technologie...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: Artificial IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14527More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project FRONTIER.
Answer: Programme FRONTIER is Defence’s programme to put the most advanced forms of artificial intelligence to work for the UK’s Armed Forces. AI is developing at extraordinary pace, creating new opportunities for operational advantage and new risks if Defence ca...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: InnovationMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14526More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled High-speed boats and new drones for elite Commando Force under Defence Investment Plan, published on 28 June 2026, what the breakdown is of the £100 million for new tr
Answer: The £100 million announced in the press release is additional investment in the ongoing Commando Force Transformation programme. This will fund, over four years, investments in cutting edge technology. The exact investments to be made will be decided thro...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence EquipmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14525More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project PRESAGIUM.
Answer: Project PRESAGIUM forms part of the UK’s layered Integrated Air and Missile Defence system, focusing specifically on the protection of fixed sites. The full scope of the project remains classified to prevent providing any advantage to potential adversarie...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS ProtectorMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14524More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 52 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, by when he plans to replace HMS Protector.
Answer: The Defence Investment Plan has allocated funding to replace HMS PROTECTOR but the exact timeline for this replacement is subject to further work. This will depend on the method of procurement which is yet to be decided.
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordJonathan PowellForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14523More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date is Jonathan Powell’s role as Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian
Answer: Mr Powell ceased his role as BIOT envoy when he was appointed to his new role as the National Security Adviser (NSA) on 8 November 2024.
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament record
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