Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,161–2,180 of 2,264 · Ministry of Defence
Pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2025 to Question 37367 on Armed Forces: Protective Clothing, what categories of items were purchased through the Tactical Hearing Protection System since 2015.
Equipment has been procured through the Tactical Hearing Protection System programme since its introduction in 2015 to the present. This equipment can be described as falling within the category of 'hearing protection'.
Pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2025 to Question 35009 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases and with reference to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs' Oral Statement of 7 October 2024 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Negotiations, Official Report, column 46, what steps he is taking to ensure that operations at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia remain under UK control into the next century.
The Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is a United States defence facility. The 1966 UK-US Exchange of Notes, including the 1976 amendment, sets out that the right to operate and maintain the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is held by the Government of the United States. This includes functions as are necessary for the development, use, maintenance, operation and security of the facility. The 1966 Exchange of Notes has been subject to routine amendments and supplementation since signature. The key objective of the negotiations has always been to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base on Diego Garcia and any routine future amendments to the Exchange of Notes resulting from the proposed agreement with Mauritius will be undertaken in accordance with the existing process.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 37373 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how many operationally deployable platforms has the Armoured Cavalry Programme taken delivery of since 1 January 2025.
As at 19 March 2025, 19 Ajax platforms have been accepted by the Ministry of Defence since 1 January 2025. Deliveries started before 2025 and a total of 91 vehicles have been accepted so far. We would not routinely disclose figures relating to operationally deployable Ajax platforms in the interests of security and operational effectiveness.
What types of ear defence equipment are issued across all three armed forces; and how many of each type are in use.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 March 2025 to Question 38440. Information on how many of each type of hearing protection are in use is not held centrally.
Whether the Office for Veterans’ Affairs provides oversight of military charities.
Charities are independent from Government and are regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Scottish Charities Regulator or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland depending on location. Specific services provided by charities are subject to other regulators as appropriate, such as the Care Quality Commission or the Fundraising Regulator. The Office for Veterans’ Affairs works closely with many Armed Forces charities who play a vital part of the wider support system for veterans, and I am also actively exploring ways of simplifying and cohering access to Government support, working in partnership with the charity sector.
What vehicles are held at MOD Ashchurch; and what their readiness state is.
MOD Ashchurch holds elements of the Army's stored operational fleet and stored equipment (sustainment) fleet. These are comprised of many vehicle types and are held at varying readiness levels.
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 35848 on Armed Forces: Protective Clothing, if he will list (a) all types of current in-service ear defence and (b) their NATO Stock Number issued to service personnel in (i) Royal Navy, excluding Royal Marines, (ii) British Army, (iii) Royal Air Force and (iv) Royal Marines.
According to the information officials have been able to gather, the types of ear defence currently in service are as follows: SystemNSNIssued toPeltor Ear Muff4240-99-301-1294 (H540B) 4240-99-957-6913 (H540A) 4240-99-773-1232 (H515FB) 4240-12-382-5630 (H540P3)“All”:Royal Navy, excl. Royal MarinesBritish ArmyRoyal Air ForceRoyal MarinesRoyal MarinesGS Ear Plug (3M EAR Classic)6515-99-126-3570 All3M EAR Ultrfit 206515-99-282-2905 AllS72KCEMOD Sana 304240-99-340-8839 AllS71KCEMOD Sana 254240-99-340-8840 AllJSP Sonis C SNR 31 Helmet Mounted4240-99-938-2453 AllERMP9-15BN Etymoyic Research Music Pro 9-156515-99-375-9841 AllERMP9-15P Etymoyic Research Music Pro 9-156515-99-375-9842 AllSurefire EP46515-99-862-1696 (Small) 6515-99-861-8175 (Medium) 6515-99-706-0764 (Large) AllComTac XPI5965-25-161-5983 (headset) 5895-99-984-8647 (headset with boom microphone) 5965-12-418-3075 (92EU connector) AllComTac XP4240-99-282-2906 AllInvisio S10/X55965-99-669-6055 British ArmyRoyal Air ForceRoyal MarinesHelmet, Aircrew Mk4A422C/8415-99-7703105 (S) 22C/8415-99-7703106 (M) 22C/8415-99-7703107 (M/B) 22C/8415-99-7703108 (M/L) 22C/8415-99-7703109 (L) British ArmyRoyal NavyRoyal Air ForceHelmet, Aircrew Mk4B/4L22C/8415-99 0005550 (S) 22C/8415-99 0005551 (M) 22C/8415-99 0005552 (M/B) 22C/8415-99 0005553 (M/L) 22C/8415-99 0005554 (L) British ArmyRoyal NavyRoyal Air ForceHelmet, Aircrew Mk10C22C/8415-99-1991270 (S) 22C/8415-99-1433127 (M) 22C/8415-99-7627299 (M/L) 22C/8415-99-2459207 (M/B) 22C/8415-99-5352834 (L) Royal Air ForceHelmet, Aircrew Mk10R22C/8415-99-9375695 (M) 22C/8415-99-9935237 (M/L) 22C/8415-99-1528368 (M/B) 22C/8415-99-0006146 (L) Royal Air ForceHelmet, Aircrew Mk10R(RAFAT)22C/8475-99-4197926 (M) 22C/8475-99-8419081 (M/L) 22C/8475-99-4944883 (M/B) 22C/8475-99-9690333 (L) Royal Air ForceHelmet, Aircrew Mk10RW22C/8415-99-8753314 (M) 22C/8415-99-8753315 (M/L) 22C/8415-99-8753316 (M/B) 22C/8415-99-8753317 (L) 22C/8475-99-3480594 (XL) British ArmyRoyal NavyRoyal Air ForceHelmet, Aircrew Mk10SAR8475-99-551-4929 (M) 8475-99-551-4930 (M/L) 8475-99-551-4931 (M/B) 8475-99-551-4932 (L) Royal NavyRoyal Air ForceHelicopter users’ helmet Mk 158475-99- 973-6861 British ArmyRoyal NavyRoyal Air ForcePassenger helmet – Mk 158475-99- 509-7355 British ArmyRoyal NavyRoyal Air ForceHGU25-P Helmet, helicopter passenger22C/8415-99-9773990 (size 6 ¾) 22C/8415-99-9773991 (size 7) 22C/8415-99-9773992 (size 7 ¼) 22C/8415-99-9773993 (size 7 ½) British ArmyRoyal NavyRoyal Air ForceVented Aviation Moulded Protection System5895-99-4767555 (Apache) 5895-99-8439096 (Standard) British ArmyRoyal NavyRoyal Air ForceIn Ear Communication Device (mini-CEP)5965-01-6313875 British ArmyRoyal NavyRoyal Air ForceANR Headset Assy HM0915965-99-2164091 5965-99-5513468 Royal Air ForceANR Headset Hawk 128, 9.5 Ohms HM1155965-99-4979219 Royal Air ForceANR Headset Assy HM1155965-99-8761576 Royal Air ForceANR V4.1 Headset 9.5Ω HM1525965-99-1558313 Royal Air ForceANR Headset Assy HM1145965-99-7422387 5965-99-2441205 (Switched) Royal Air ForceV4.2 ANR Headset Non-Switched 150Ω HM1575965-99-1870613 Royal Air ForceANR Headset Switched 150Ω HM1575965-99-8722541 Royal Air ForceHEADSET, ANR CREWBRIEF5965-99-225-5010 British ArmyANR COMBAT HEADSET, MK25965-99-994-7128 British ArmyANR CREWGARD HEADSET5965-99-551-5288 British ArmyGENTEX HEADSET KIT, COMPLETE TO BES5965-99-564-4677 AllGentex Headset (GHCS)5965-99-876-2259 5965-99-671-4687 AllCEP FOAM Ear Tips (Standard)5965-01-588-6709 AllCEP FOAM Ear Tips (Slim)5965-01-588-6710 AllCEP FOAM Ear Tips (Short)5965-01-588-6715 AllGentex NFMI Ear Plug Kit6515-01-694-5367 AllRacal RA101 (JetGard)5965-99-739-9311 5965-99-893-1188 AllAtlantic5965-99-383-2112 5965-99-251-6054 AllAtlantic Mk25965-99-483-7471 5965-99-608-9281 5965-99-793-2757 AllAmpligard5965-99-953-5231 AllINVISO HEADSET KIT, COMPLETE TO BES5965-99-493-1233 British ArmyRA7500-20015965-99-665-1507 British ArmyRA7500-20005995-99-665-1508 British ArmyRA7500-10005995-99-512-3019 British Army
What proportion of food supplied to armed forces personnel is sourced from British farms.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 March 2025 to Question 36360 to the hon. Member for South Holland and the Deepings (The Rt Hon Sir John Hayes MP CBE).
Pursuant to question 36205, whether the Dreadnought-class submarine programme will use the Trident 2 D5 missile.
Yes. The Dreadnought Class submarines will carry nuclear-armed Trident II D5 ballistic missiles.
What steps he is taking to move away from over-exquisite design in the context of the procurement of new capability.
The Ministry of Defence is reforming its acquisition system to deliver defence capabilities at greater pace and secure the best possible value for money.Central to this is the creation of a National Armaments Director to ensure our Armed Forces are properly equipped to defend Britain, to build up the British defence industry, and to reduce waste. A key element of this role is to harmonise procurement, working closely with wider Government, industry, academia, and international partners to deploy best practice and optimise investment.We are engaging industry earlier in the procurement process to ensure requirements for new capabilities are informed by what the market can offer and with consideration of the potential for exports.Through Spiral acquisition we will deliver a minimum deployable capability to the front line more rapidly - based on what is readily available from the supply chains or quickly adaptable from existing capabilities - then iterate to adapt quickly to a changing environment to meet the needs of our Armed Forces and other customers.
Whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on taking steps to meet the NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge.
It is essential that NATO Allies ramp up their defence industrial capacity and production across the Alliance – to support Ukraine and for our own defence and deterrence. That is why we strongly support the NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge, which commits Allies to building on transatlantic defence industrial cooperation, delivering on our industrial commitment, and accelerating the growth of our defence industry. The Ministry of Defence continues to work with colleagues across government to deliver new a Defence Industrial Strategy which will help us meet our NATO commitments, such as the NATO industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge.
With reference to the answer of 11 November 2024 to the urgent question on Defence: 2.5% GDP Spending Commitment, Official Report, column 508, what the outcome was of the NATO test he conducted.
We conducted a NATO Test in the first 100 days of this Government and was completed in October 2024. The Honourable Gentleman will understand that detail is classified, but it offered a clear assessment of how well the UK currently meets NATO’s ask on defence as inherited by this Government, following the General Election. The outcomes were fed into the Strategic Defence Review which will ensure that we have a NATO-first policy at the heart of Britain’s defence plans for the future.
How much and what proportion of the defence budget is allocated to the Royal Marines, excluding Commando-trained Army sub-units.
I hope the hon. Member will understand that it is not possible to split out costs that relate solely to the Royal Marines due to the interoperability of units, equipment and mixed use of training facilities.
Pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2025 to Question 36209, what the difference in attenuation across the frequency bands is between the (a) Peltor ComTac XP/XPI and (b) General Service Peltor Ear Muff.
The performance of the ComTac XP/XPI and the General Service Peltor Ear Muff is as follows: ComTac XP/XPIFrequency (Hz)1252505001000200040008000Mean attenuation (dB)11.517.927.830.032.136.240.3Std deviation (dB)2.52.71.82.33.02.03.1Assumed Protection Value (dB)9.015.325.927.729.134.237.2SNR=28 db H=31 db M=25 db L=16 db General Service Peltor Ear MuffFrequency (Hz)1252505001000200040008000Mean attenuation (dB)16.217.026.433.537.139.134.3Std deviation (dB)4.12.72.94.62.83.64.7Assumed Protection Value (dB)12.114.323.528.934.335.529.6SNR=28 db H=33 db M=25 db L=18 dbSNR=Single Number Rating, H=High Frequency Attenuation Value, M=Medium Frequency Attenuation Value and L=Low Frequency Attenuation Value.
Pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2025 to Question 35009 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases, what the responsibilities and authorities for the operations of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia are as agreed with the United Kingdom and set out in the 1966 UK-US Exchange of Notes, including the 1976 amendment.
The Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is a United States defence facility. The responsibilities and authorities for its operations as agreed with the United Kingdom are set out in the 1966 UK-US Exchange of Notes, including the 1976 amendment.
When he plans to purchase the second tranche of F-35B jets.
To provide the UK with the most relevant and capable Combat Aircraft force, the Ministry of Defence continually reviews the expected threat and the ability of our forces to counter it. Any further purchases would be set out in the usual way.
Under what circumstances an individual would be issued the Peltor ComTac XP/XPI Ear defenders over the Peltor General Service Ear Muffs.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 5 March 2025 to Question 34362 which explained that due to the varying nature of environments and tasks that require a form of ear protection, Service personnel (SP) are issued with ear protection that has been assessed as the most appropriate for the situation. The Peltor General Service Ear Muff offers a more basic level of protection and are typically used for activities that do not require movement or communication, such as static Live Fire Marksmanship Training or in engineering workshops. The Peltor ComTac XP/XPI provides a greater level of hearing protection and enhanced situational awareness through the use of an active electronic system. They provide SP with hearing protection that does not need to be removed to communicate or move, as when conducting Transition to Tactical Live Fire Training or Live Fire Tactical Training. They can also be used for the same activities as the Peltor General Service Ear Muff.
How many Ajax armoured vehicles the Army will have taken delivery of by 31 December 2025.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 438 dated 22 July 2024. The Armoured Cavalry Programme (Ajax) is projecting the delivery of over 180 operationally deployable platforms by the end of 2025.
When the Armoured Cavalry Programme will reach initial operating capability.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 438 dated 22 July 2024. The Armoured Cavalry Programme (Ajax) is projecting the delivery of over 180 operationally deployable platforms by the end of 2025.
What the cost of the Tactical Hearing Protection System has been (a) since 2015, (b) in 2023-24 and (c) in 2024-25.
The total spend on the Tactical Hearing Protection System since 2015 is £46,374,163. The spend in Financial Year 2023-24 was £7,293,676 and the spend in Financial Year 2024-25 was £3,698,207. All figures are inc-VAT.