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 2,181–2,200 of 2,264 · Ministry of Defence
What the NSN is of the (a) Peltor ComTac XP and (b) Peltor ComTac XPI.
The current NATO Stock Numbers (NSNs) for the Peltor ComTac XPI are 5965-25-161-5983 for the headset and 5895-99-984-8647 for the headset with boom microphone. The Peltor ComTac XP was superceded by the XPI in 2016, and had the NSN 4240-99-282-2906 for the headset.
What the delivery timeline is for the remaining F-35B jets ordered from Lockheed Martin.
The declaration of Full Operating Capability for the first procurement phase is scheduled to occur no later than 31 December 2025, with graduation as a Government Major Projects Portfolio programme by 31 March 2026. The first procurement phase of 48 aircraft continues to be delivered, with 37 aircraft received to date and delivery of the 48th aircraft due by programme graduation.
Pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 33149 on Armed Forces: Protective Clothing, how many personnel in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force have a pair of Peltor ComTac XP/XPI issued to them.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 March 2025, to Question 34996.
What the status is of the Army's Warrior AFVs
As of 1 April 2025, there will be 359 Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles in service. A decision to extend Warrior’s Out of Service Date to 2027 ensures Warrior will remain supported during transition to a modernised fleet. It remains our intent that Warrior be withdrawn from service by 2030.
How many L403A1 rifles his Department had (a) ordered and (b) received by 10 March 2025.
An order of 1,620 L403A1 rifles was made by Defence Equipment and Support, all of which were received by 10 March 2025.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 35428 on Boxer Vehicles: Procurement, what the delivery schedule is for Mechanised Infantry Vehicles (BOXER) during the period 2025 to 2027 by (a) month and (b) brigade.
Whilst the Army’s modernisation will continue over the next decade with a programme of investment worth billions of pounds, future capability development priorities will be guided by the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). There have been some ongoing delays to the contract delivery of BOXER vehicles due to global supply chain issues, following the war in Ukraine.However, production vehicles are now arriving, and Defence expects industry to deliver up to 100 vehicles per year. It would be inappropriate to comment on specific fielding plans and future force development until the SDR completes.
What assessment he has made of the potential suitability of developing a capability similar to the USAF’s Light Attack Experiment to provide close air support in operations characterised by UK air dominance for the (a) Royal Air Force or (b) Army Air Corps.
The ongoing Strategic Defence Review is considering our combat air and Armed Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) force mix in an increasingly contested world. The Protector RG (Reconnaissance/Ground-Attack) Mk1 is currently entering service to replace Reaper as the next generation Medium Altitude, Long Endurance - Remotely Piloted Air System - in the Armed ISTAR role.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact on European security of a drawdown of US Air Force in Europe – United Kingdom (USAFE-UK) forces; and what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of such a drawdown for local economies in areas surrounding USAFE-UK bases.
Decisions on the deployment of US forces are for the US Administration. We welcome the continued presence of United States forces in the UK, their engagement with the local communities in which they are based and the role they play in contributing to European defence, security and deterrence.
How many (a) men, (b) women, (c) male children and (d) female children have come to the UK via the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy since 1 April 2021.
The Home Office publishes data on the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) – the cross-Government delivery pipeline for all Afghan resettlement schemes - in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on resettled arrivals is published in table Asy_D02 of the ‘Asylum and resettlement detailed datasets’, with breakdowns by resettlement scheme, sex and age. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data relates to December 2024.
What aspects of Trident are reliant upon US support.
The UK has a longstanding, close relationship with the US on all defence nuclear issues, which has endured through many changes of Government in our two nations. One result of our close relationship is that the UK is able to procure certain non-nuclear components from the US, most notably the Trident II D5 missile, significantly reducing the cost of our nuclear deterrent capability. Our extant long-term arrangements under the 1958 Mutual Defense Agreement and the 1963 Polaris Sales Agreement (as amended in 1982 for Trident) provide for co-operation and collaboration which has been, and continues to be, of considerable mutual benefit to both nations. Further details can be found in Command Paper 1058: Delivering the UK’s Nuclear Deterrent as a National Endeavour at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-enterprise-command-paper]
What the current status is of the Dreadnought-class submarine programme.
The programme remains on track to manufacture four Dreadnought Class submarines within the original cost estimate of £41 billion, consisting of £31 billion and a contingency of £10 billion. The First of Class, HMS Dreadnought, will enter service in the early 2030s.
Pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 33149 on Armed Forces: Protective Clothing, what the difference is in the level of protection between the Peltor ComTac XP/XPI ear defender and the General Service Peltor Ear Muff ear defender.
The technical specifications for both the Peltor ComTac XP/XPI and the General Service Peltor Ear Muff are broadly comparable with both offering similar attenuation across the frequency bands. Both items can be worn in conjunction with other hearing protection items.
What the role is of USAF 48th Fighter Wing’s Operations Group stationed at RAF Lakenheath.
The 48th Operations Group oversees the operation support, execution and sustainment of all flight and airfield operations for the 48th Fighter Wing. It maintains combat-ready forces in support of operations and deterrence for U.S. European Command, U.S Africa Command and NATO operations.
What recent assessment he has made of the ongoing commitment of the United States to the European Reassurance Initiative.
The Secretary of State has not discussed the US’ European Reassurance Initiative with the new US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. When the Secretary of State met with Secretary Hegseth in Washington DC last week he discussed working together to achieve peace and security in Europe, including bringing an end to the war in Ukraine and building sustainable deterrence on the continent.
How many (a) L119A1 and (b) L119A2 rifles are held by the armed forces.
It has not been possible to provide the answer. I will write to the Hon. Member as soon as practical and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
What the UK's role is in maintaining Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia; and which other nations maintain that Facility.
The Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is a United States defence facility. The UK provides the overarching governance to the island of Diego Garcia, including jurisdiction, wider civic responsibilities, and working with US authorities to ensure the security of the island and the safety of its contractor community. Engagement of contractors for the maintenance of the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is the responsibility of the United States. Apart from the UK and the US there are no other nations with responsibilities for the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 33147 on Armed Forces: Commonwealth, which (a) units and (b) independent sub-units form the Brigade of Gurkhas; and which regular armed forces units include Nepalese service personnel.
The units and independent sub-units which form the Brigade of Gurkhas; and the Regular Armed Forces units that include Nepalese Service personnel are shown in the tables below. Table 1: Units and Independent Sub-Units that form the Brigade of Gurkhas Unit / Sub-UnitBrigade of Gurkhas Capbadges1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR)2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (2 RGR)The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers (QGE)The Queen’s Gurkha Signals (QG SIGNALS)Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (QOGLR)Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas (Band BG)Gurkha Staff & Personnel Support (GSPS)Extra Regimentally Employed (ERE) UnitsBritish Gurkhas Nepal (BGN)Gurkha ARRC Support Battalion (GARRC Sp Bn)ERE Sub-UnitsGurkha Company CatterickGurkha Company BabajiGurkha Company SittangGurkha Company TavoletoGurkha Company MandalayA (Krithia) Company, 1 RANGERF (Falklands) Company, 2 RANGERG (Coriano) Company, 4 RANGER Table 2: Units in UK Regular Armed Forces which include Nepalese Service personnel Army Arm/ServicesArmy Air CorpsAdjutant General’s CorpsRoyal Army Physical Training CorpsHousehold Cavalry and Royal Armoured CorpsInfantryOtherRoyal Corps of SignalsRoyal Regiment of ArtilleryRoyal Army Medical ServicesRoyal Corps of Army MusicCorps of Royal EngineersCorps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical EngineersThe Royal Logistic CorpsSmall Arms School CorpsRoyal Navy/MarinesRN Engineer GS (OF)RN Logistics GSRN Royal Marines GSRAFRAF EngineeringRAF LogisticsSource: Analysis Tri-Service Notes to Table 2 UK Regulars comprise of Full time Service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non-Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Unless otherwise stated, includes trained and untrained personnel.Nationality is as self-declared on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).JPA data is based on primary nationality and people can have a second nationality recorded.There are a large number of Gurkha personnel who have taken the opportunity to naturalise once they moved to the UK Regulars, some of these may have subsequently joined different Arm/Services than the ones listed in Table 2.
Whether he has considered appointing a veterans commissioner for England.
This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country, no matter which community they are based in. I am working across Government and with civil society to ensure veterans get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. I work closely with the Veterans Commissioners for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I have also asked officials to look holistically at the support available to veterans, how it is delivered and explore options for simplifying access to that support and also improving governance to increase institutional resilience. That governance work will look at what are the most appropriate requirements for support across both England and the United Kingdom.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of issuing the Peltor ComTac XP/XPI to service personnel as standard.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 March 2025 to his Question 34362. As advised, there is no ‘standard’ hearing protection therefore no assessment has been made regarding issuing the Peltor ComTac XP/XPI to Service personnel as standard.
How much his Department has spent on Peltor ComTac XP/XPI ear defence since the Tactical Hearing Protection System was introduced in 2015.
I am unable to provide the details requested, as releasing this information could prejudice commercial interests.