Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 441–460 of 2,243 · Ministry of Defence
What are the disposal plans for a) HMS Chiddingford and b) HMS Middleton.
There are currently no disposal plans for the Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels, HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Middleton. The last Hunt Class ship is due to leave service in 2031.
What assessment has he made of the potential threat posed by the Chinese Ocean Star Cluster and its layered defences, to future Royal Navy operations in the northern South China Sea.
As part of its routine responsibilities, the Ministry of Defence conducts assessments of the military capabilities of other states. To protect operational security and safeguard national defence interests, the results of these assessments are not made public.
What steps he has taken to procure a Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System to counter incoming a) rockets, b) artillery, c) mortars and d) drones.
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 Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
What is the full scope of Project Talon.
Project Talon seeks a maritime Counter-UAS capability able to detect, track, identify and defeat airborne threats. Further information can be found at this link - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/716f2056-c004-45bd-83f0-503ea349b8aa?origin=SearchResults&p=1
What assessment has he made of the potential merits of a) deconflicting and b) combining Project Shrinker with Project Cairns.
Project CAIRNS is currently a pre-concept project and as such formal consideration of systems and specifications has not yet taken place. Project SHRINKER is a Defence procurement project. For reasons of operational security, I cannot provide any further details.
Whether the Royal Navy will contribute an Astute-class attack submarine on Operation Firecrest.
Detail on Operation Firecrest can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-carrier-strike-group-to-deploy-to-north-atlantic-to-keep-uk-safe I am unable to comment further at this time to do so would compromise the security of our forces and effectiveness of operations. Further detail about Operation Firecrest will be provided in due course.
When is HMS Bangor due to complete its refit.
HMS BANGOR is not in refit; the ship is undergoing structural repairs following the ship's recovery from deployed operations. These are currently scheduled to have been completed by the end of April 2026.
What assessment he has made of the reasons UK military assets failed to intercept the attack drone that struck RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
We have deployed significant air defence assets to the region since January. This includes extra jets, radars, HMS Dragon, counter drones systems and over 500 additional British personnel as part of our significant air defence team. This is a comprehensive layered air defence capability. It would not be appropriate to comment on any assessment which may be utilised by our adversaries.
What protection RAF Akrotiri has against Iranian Medium Range Ballistic Missiles, in the context of the move of the US Navy USS Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Red Sea on 5 March.
In addition to the equipment and capabilities stationed at RAF Akrotiri, the Ministry of Defence have added 400 additional personnel, increased air defence radar and missiles since January. We have deployed F-35 and Typhoon aircraft, three Wildcat helicopters and a Merlin helicopter. HMS Dragon has now departed from the UK, where, as the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026, it will join US air defence destroyers in the Eastern Mediterranean.
What warning RAF Akrotiri was given by (a) the United States, (b) Israel or (c) other allies of the approach of the four attack drones on Sunday 1 March.
It is a longstanding position that the Ministry of Defence does not comment on specific intelligence, or information from third party nations, for security reasons.
For what reason the attack drone that struck RAF Akrotiri on Monday 2 March (local time) was initially reported to have struck the runway by the Foreign Secretary, rather than the building that it did strike.
In any situation that is developing as rapidly as the situation in the Middle East, new information will become available at short notice to update initial impressions. As we have said consistently, assessment of incidents will always be an ongoing process.
What discussions has he had with a) his US counterparts or b) Spektreworks, regarding the Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS).
The Department has no records of formal engagement with US counterparts or SpektreWorks regarding the Low‑Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS).
Elements of which F-35B squadron is currently deployed to Cyprus.
We cannot release any further information on this matter due to operational security reasons.
What ships from NATO allies will deploy as escorts to HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group on Operation Firecrest.
Operation Firecrest is intended to include key allies, including the US, Canada and Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations. We are continuing to refine with our allies the specific capabilities these will contribute to the deployment, although this information is operationally sensitive and therefore will not be disclosed.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the establishment of the Baltic Military Mobility Area on UK armed forces operations in Estonia.
The United Kingdom remains firmly committed to Estonia as the framework nation for NATO’s forward land forces. The purpose of the Baltic Military Mobility Area (MMA) is to harmonise procedures for the movement of military personnel and equipment across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The alignment of infrastructure standards and legal authorisations will facilitate the movement of allied forces across the region. We recognise that the ability to reinforce and sustain forward‑deployed units is essential to the effective delivery of NATO’s defence plans, and that military mobility initiatives are therefore central to collective deterrence and defence.
What discussions has he had with (a) his United States counterparts and (b) the United States military on the drone attack at RAF Akrotiri.
Both the Defence Secretary and Defence Officials remain in regular contact with US counterparts on a range of topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our two nations including operational matters.
Whether the additional preparation work to enable another Daring-class Royal Navy ship to replace HMS Dragon in its role as flagship of the NATO Standing Naval Maritime Group 1 will be funded from the Special Reserve.
In her statement to the House on 9 March, the Chancellor confirmed that she had approved access for the Ministry of Defence to the special reserve to deploy additional capabilities in the middle east.
What assessment has he made of the potential impact on minehunting and disposal capability in the a) Strait of Hormuz and b) wider Gulf region of withdrawing HMS Middleton on 25th January.
The UK is committed to supporting our interests and the interests of our allies in the Gulf region. We collaborate closely with allies and partners to maintain an Expeditionary Mine Warfare capability – this includes the introduction of the latest autonomous mine hunting capabilities.
If the preparation to deploy HMS Dragon for deployment to the eastern Mediterranean is funded from the Special Reserve.
In her statement to the House on 9 March, the Chancellor confirmed that she had approved access for the Ministry of Defence to the special reserve to deploy additional capabilities in the middle east.
Whether the Royal Marines will deploy any sub-units on Operation Firecrest.
Detail on Operation Firecrest can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-carrier-strike-group-to-deploy-to-north-atlantic-to-keep-uk-s… I am unable to comment further at this time to do so would compromise the security of our forces and effectiveness of operations. Further detail about Operation Firecrest will be provided in due course.