Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 461–480 of 2,243 · Ministry of Defence
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.
What is the operational use of RAF Akrotiri by the United States Air Force on Operation Olive Harvest.
For operational security reasons, we do not offer comment or information relating to foreign nation’s military operations. Permissions to utilise UK military bases are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decision to grant permission is dependent on the nature and purpose of their activity.
Pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026 to question 114218 on Veterans: Mental Health Services, how will services become a VALOUR Recognised Centre and what will the eligibility criteria be.
VALOUR will give veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support available to them. VALOUR Recognised Centres (VRC) will enable veterans, and in due course the wider Armed Forces Community, to access in-person guidance and support. Applications for the first round of VALOUR Development Funding for organisations wishing to become a VRC closed on 14 January 2026. They are currently being assessed, and successful bids will be announced in due course. The VALOUR Recognised Centres Development Fund is administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT) on behalf of the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA). Further detail on the fund’s criteria is published on the AFCFT website. A network of VALOUR Field Officers (VFOs) will aim to bring together charities, service providers, and local government to improve collaboration and coordination and enable data-driven policy and service development. The first phase of recruitment for VFOs is currently underway. VALOUR HQ, within the MOD, will gather data and insight, working with policy and research teams to ensure services are designed to meet local needs. The HQ team is currently being established within the Office for Veterans’ Affairs.
Pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026 to question 114218 on Veterans: Mental Health Services, by when will he establish a) a VALOUR HQ and b) a network of VALOUR Field Officers.
VALOUR will give veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support available to them. VALOUR Recognised Centres (VRC) will enable veterans, and in due course the wider Armed Forces Community, to access in-person guidance and support. Applications for the first round of VALOUR Development Funding for organisations wishing to become a VRC closed on 14 January 2026. They are currently being assessed, and successful bids will be announced in due course. The VALOUR Recognised Centres Development Fund is administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT) on behalf of the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA). Further detail on the fund’s criteria is published on the AFCFT website. A network of VALOUR Field Officers (VFOs) will aim to bring together charities, service providers, and local government to improve collaboration and coordination and enable data-driven policy and service development. The first phase of recruitment for VFOs is currently underway. VALOUR HQ, within the MOD, will gather data and insight, working with policy and research teams to ensure services are designed to meet local needs. The HQ team is currently being established within the Office for Veterans’ Affairs.
Whether the drone that struck RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026 struck an aircraft hangar.
The drone that struck RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026 did strike a hangar causing minimal damage.
Pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026 to question 115862 on China: Nuclear Weapons, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the a) diversification and b) modernisation of its nuclear arsenal.
The UK’s nuclear policy, most recently outlined in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, remains unchanged. China is undertaking a significant programme of nuclear expansion and modernisation. The pace and scale of these developments, coupled with limited transparency about China’s doctrine, capabilities and decision‑making, is concerning. The UK continues to encourage China to engage substantively in strategic risk‑reduction and transparency measures.
Pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026, to question 111945 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, for what reason will some Ajax vehicles move to Capability Drop 3 before Capability Drop 4 and others will be upgraded to Capability Drop 4.
Capability Drop 3 is the current approved standard for the Ajax fleet. Vehicles which are scheduled to be upgraded before the Capability Drop 4 standard is approved will move to Capability Drop 3. Vehicles which are later in the upgrade schedule will move directly to Capability Drop 4.
What progress he has made in installing the (a) defensive aid suite and (b) missile countermeasures to the RAF’s Envoy IV fleet.
Options to expand the future capability of the Envoy IV fleet are under consideration, including the installation of a defensive aid suite.
What steps has he taken to revise the Army fielding plan for the Ajax family of vehicles in order to reflect delays caused by the ministerial-led review.
Investigations into Ajax remain ongoing, and time must be given to ensure that all information and evidence is considered. The fielding plan will be updated once these investigations conclude. I will continue to keep the house informed of developments as I have done since the issue arose on Exercise Titan Storm.
What assessment has he made of the potential impact of the Chinese DF-17 (Dongfeng-17) solid-fuelled medium-range ballistic missile fitted with the DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle on the safety of British forces.
The Ministry of Defence does not comment on states’ specific capabilities or how we would respond to them, as doing so could provide an operational advantage to those who may seek to harm the UK.
How many British Army Stormers are deployed to Saudi Arabia under Operation Crossways.
Operation CROSSWAYS provides military support to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, primarily focused on training and tailored military advice to the Saudi armed forces. For operational security reasons, we do not comment publicly on exact details around deployments.
Pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026 to question 116103 on NATO Response Force, what size of sub-unit from the a) Royal Marines Commando Force, b) Ranger Regiment and c) RAF Regiment will be committed to the NATO Allied Reaction Force (ARF) Special Operations Component.
As with all UK contributions to NATO, the UK retains the ultimate authority over their use, including the option to employ them for national operations if necessary. Any such decision would be taken in close consultation and coordination with NATO. The UK’s contribution to the ARF Special Operations Component will consist of personnel from the Royal Marines Commando Force, Ranger Regiment, and RAF Elements. For operational security reasons, it would not be appropriate to provide a more detailed breakdown of this future commitment.
Pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026 to question 116103 on NATO Response Force, will UK contributions to the ARF Special Operations Forces element be exclusively under NATO Command or still available for UK operations via the Ministry of Defence.
As with all UK contributions to NATO, the UK retains the ultimate authority over their use, including the option to employ them for national operations if necessary. Any such decision would be taken in close consultation and coordination with NATO. The UK’s contribution to the ARF Special Operations Component will consist of personnel from the Royal Marines Commando Force, Ranger Regiment, and RAF Elements. For operational security reasons, it would not be appropriate to provide a more detailed breakdown of this future commitment.
How many Iranian attack drones have been downed by Royal Air Force planes using (a) advanced short-range air-to-air missiles and (b) cannon.
As stated by the Prime Minister on 5 March 2026, RAF aircraft continue to conduct defensive operations in the region. At this time, we will not comment further due to operational security.
Which Royal Navy Type 45 will replace HMS Dragon within the NATO Maritime Group One role following its emergency deployment to Cyprus.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 March 2026 to Question 115467.
What assessment has he made of the potential of the Patria TRACKX armoured vehicle as a replacement for Viking.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I laid in the house on 9 September 2025 to Question 74736, which remains extant.
Whether he has launched an investigation into the inability of UK and US counter-Uncrewed Air Systems defences to intercept the drone that struck the runway at RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Since January, we have sent additional air defence assets to Cyprus, including radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets, and ground-based air defence. We have deployed HMS DRAGON along with Merlin airborne surveillance helicopters and Wildcat helicopters with specific anti-drone capability.
What assessment he has made of the inability of UK and US counter-Uncrewed Air Systems defences to intercept the drone that struck the runway at RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Since January, we have sent additional air defence assets to Cyprus, including radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets, and ground-based air defence. We have deployed HMS DRAGON along with Merlin airborne surveillance helicopters and Wildcat helicopters with specific anti-drone capability.
Whether any elements of No. 2 Force Protection Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing deployed to the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekalia during the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
No.2 Force Protection Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing was deployed to the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri before the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
What is the full scope of Project SAGE.
SAGE is a project to test the use of satellite communications, 4G, and Wi-Fi in places or buildings where digital signals are normally restricted.