Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 701–720 of 2,240 · Ministry of Defence
What was the Capability Drop status of each Ajax-family vehicle within the fleet operated by the Household Cavalry Regiment as at 22 November 2025.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 January 2026 to his Question 98879. All vehicles referenced in my response are at Capability Drop 3.
How many Ajax-family vehicles were at each Capability Drop status as at 22 November 2025.
At 22 November 2025, the following number of Ajax vehicles were at each Capability Drop: CD1 – 59CD2 – 84CD3 – 172 Total Produced – 315Total Contract - 589 Only Capability Drop 3 vehicles are fielded to Army units.
Pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026 to question 105591 on Veterans: Visas, what issues he has encountered in the delivery of a visa fee waiver for dependents of Commonwealth veterans.
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Home Office on the Government’s commitment to waive visa fees for non-UK veterans and their dependants. This work is ongoing, and the Department will update Parliament in the usual way once cross Government decisions have been finalised.
How many people from the Queens Royal Hussars have been diagnosed as suffering from noise and vibration sickness following operating in an Ajax-family vehicle (a) before and (b) after 23 July 2025.
The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical information down to unit level as this would risk identifying individual personnel.
How many individuals from the Household Cavalry Regiment have been diagnosed as with noise and vibration sickness following operating in an Ajax-family vehicle a) before and b) after 23 July 2025.
The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical information down to unit level as this would risk identifying individual personnel.
With reference to the medical status update on personnel injured during Exercise Titan Storm, provided by the Minister for the Armed Forces during the Ajax debate on 14th January 2026, how many of those personnel were in the (a) Household Cavalry Regiment and the (b) Queen’s Royal Hussars.
The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical information down to unit level as this would risk identifying individual personnel.
What is the maximum weight of the new rifle under Project Grayburn.
Project GRAYBURN is its concept phase. One of the primary outputs of this phase will be user requirements. These will consider the full range of performance characteristics including maximum weight and coating requirements.
What requirement has his Department specified for (a) anti-thermal and (b) anti IR coatings to the new rifle within Project Grayburn.
Project GRAYBURN is its concept phase. One of the primary outputs of this phase will be user requirements. These will consider the full range of performance characteristics including maximum weight and coating requirements.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the MARTE Project on future defence export opportunities for Challenger 3.
Challenger 3 is the centrepiece of the British Army’s armoured modernisation programme and will deliver a step change in lethality, survivability and digital integration. The Department continues to explore export opportunities for Challenger 3 and its capabilities under the Land Industrial Strategy.
What assessment he has made of the potential benefits of equipping Ares with the Northrop Grumman M230LF (Link Fed) Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun.
The Army and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory have established an enduring research programme to assess the benefits of equipping elements of the armoured vehicle fleet with a range of capabilities, including enhanced lethality. As part of this work, the M230LF is being considered alongside other medium‑calibre cannon options available from industry.
On which vehicle platforms is he currently assessing the feasibility of equipping the M230LF (Link Fed) Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun.
The Army and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory have established an enduring research programme to assess the benefits of equipping elements of the armoured vehicle fleet with a range of capabilities, including enhanced lethality. As part of this work, the M230LF is being considered alongside other medium‑calibre cannon options available from industry.
Whether he has made it a requirement to use Aubert & Duval Armad steel to manufacture barrels for rifle variants within Project Grayburn.
Project GRAYBURN is its concept phase. One of the primary outputs of this phase will be user requirements. These will consider the full range of performance characteristics including maximum weight and coating requirements.
What plans he has to replace HMS Middleton in the Middle East upon its return to the UK.
The Ministry of Defence keeps its force posture in the Middle East under continual review to safeguard UK interests. The Royal Navy remains committed to regional stability through its enduring presence under Operation KIPION, including the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC), located in Bahrain, with a footprint of over 130 personnel. The Royal Navy’s modernisation programme has already delivered an autonomous Mine Countermeasures capability operating in the Gulf, continuing to innovate at pace.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the raw material shortage at Liberty Steel's Dalzell plant on the construction of the three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The current assessment of the potential impact of the raw material shortage at Liberty Steel's Dalzell plant, on the construction of the three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, is deemed low.The sourcing of steel for the FSS programme is a matter for the prime contractor, Navantia UK, whose goal is to maximise UK steel content wherever it is technically and commercially feasible, while protecting the delivery schedule.
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to question 72379, whether the outline business case is on track to be submitted in June 2026.
The Type 83 concept is currently under review against the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy Strategy. Future business case approval remains subject to the Defence Investment Plan.
What assessment he has made of the potential benefits of adopting a short stroke piston operated system rather than direct gas impingement for any of the rifle variants tendered for development under Project Grayburn.
Project GRAYBURN is currently in its concept phase. An important output of this phase will be the definition of user requirements, covering the full range of performance characteristics, including calibre and operating system.
What assessment he made of the potential benefits of including an upper receiver which can accommodate 6.5 Creedmoor as part of Project Grayburn.
Project GRAYBURN is currently in its concept phase. An important output of this phase will be the definition of user requirements, covering the full range of performance characteristics, including calibre and operating system.
What assessment has he made of the potential benefits of including an upper receiver which can accommodate .300 blackout as part of Project Grayburn.
Project GRAYBURN is currently in its concept phase. An important output of this phase will be the definition of user requirements, covering the full range of performance characteristics, including calibre and operating system.
How many MineWolf MW370 uncrewed mine and route clearance systems have been purchased by his Department.
In 2023, the Ministry of Defence procured two MineWolf MW370 systems which were donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The British Army uses various systems to deliver mine and route clearance capability, but for operational security considerations, details have been withheld.
What was the role of the Permanent Secretary in the delivery of the Ajax programme since 23 July 2025.
As with all major defence programmes, including Ajax, the role of the Permanent Secretary as the Departmental Accounting Officer, is to ensure the proper management of defence funds, ensuring regularity and propriety. Regarding the Army’s Ajax programme, that oversight has been brought to bear at critical programme milestones.