Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 741–760 of 2,240 · Ministry of Defence
Pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2026 to Question 103534 on Uncrewed Systems, when is the design phase due to be completed.
The Uncrewed Systems Centre purpose and function has been agreed for implementation. To ensure alignment with Defence Reform, work on the design, structure and outputs for Full Operating Capability will continue through 2026. Further announcements will be made in due course.
What is the breakdown of the variants of the 623 Boxer vehicles which have been procured by the British Army.
Regarding the breakdown of Boxer variants, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 100025 which remains extant. The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme deliveries from industry are progressing in line with the current forecasted targets. To date, 19 Boxer platforms have been fielded to the British Army.
How many Boxer vehicles have been delivered to the British Army.
Regarding the breakdown of Boxer variants, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 100025 which remains extant. The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme deliveries from industry are progressing in line with the current forecasted targets. To date, 19 Boxer platforms have been fielded to the British Army.
Pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026 to question 101527 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, if he will take steps to revalidate all information in the 2024-25 Ministry of Defence Accounts.
I will write to the hon. Member shortly with a full response and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.
With reference to the Ministry of Defence accounts 2024-25, what did the retirement of the Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers and constructive losses of £58,081,000 relate to.
A decision was announced in November 2024 to retire Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers, effectively mothballed by the last Government, which had not been to sea since 2017 and 2022 respectively. Their retirement reflects value for money for the taxpayer and delivering for defence, by divesting ourselves of old capabilities to make way for the future.The constructive loss of £58,081,000 relates to the write-down of the remaining value of the Knight and Ruler Wave Class Tankers and their associated capital works, spares and consumables. It has been calculated in line with Managing Public Money and Ministry of Defence accounting policies.
What is the full scope of Project Octopus.
Project OCTOPUS is the first joint UK-Ukraine defence industrial project initiated under Project LYRA and was announced on 10 September 2025 by the Prime Minister. Under Project OCTOPUS, the UK and Ukraine will work together to rapidly optimise an Ukrainian designed air defence interceptor for mass production, with the first units anticipated to start being produced in the UK in the coming weeks, before being sent to Ukraine for testing and operational deployment. The project aims to enable production at scale, with a target of being able to produce thousands of drones per month to support Ukraine's defence needs.
With reference to the Ministry of Defence accounts 2024-25, what did the Melorius write-off and constructive losses of £12,552,000 relate to.
Initiated to replace an in-service capability, MELORIUS was a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Medical Countermeasure project to rapidly develop and provide immediate treatment to a person exposed to a Nerve Agent.A Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) product became available during the development stage of the project, following changes in the commercial market. Project MELORIUS was re-evaluated and a decision was made to stop further development, with funds reinvested into procuring a COTS solution. This represented the best value for money for the taxpayer, a low-risk option and significantly reduced the delivery timescales.The constructive loss of £12,552,000 was incurred during the active management of stopping project MELORIUS. It relates to the safe disposal of 110,000 medical devices, a necessary up-front purchase, and the associated costs of development and testing of the products.In delivering the best capabilities for our Armed Forces, it is vital that we continually review the market and emerging technologies for ways to enhance our current offering, to ensure that our troops have what they need to operate effectively and the ability to respond to evolving threats.
Pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026 to question 101527 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, what was the project regarding the ammunition capability of the Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot munitions.
The Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot munitions was one of three ammunitions proposed to be reinstated for use in the 30mm Rarden used by the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle. It did not have a specific project name.
Which Royal Artillery regiments will be equipped with RCH155.
On current plans, RCH 155 will initially be fielded to 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery and 19 Regiment Royal Artillery. However, analysis of future force structures is ongoing, and the final fielding plan remains subject to change.
Whether he plans to roll out the Royal Navy’s (a) Combat Sports Initiative and (b) the Combat Sister Project nationwide.
The Ministry of Defence are pleased that volunteers from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines plan to continue to deliver the Combat Sports Initiative and Combat Sister Project in 2026, at locations across the UK. These initiatives are not Ministry of Defence led; they are independently delivered on a voluntary basis by Service personnel in their own personal time. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines encourage personnel to engage in meaningful voluntary activity within their communities and wishes the programme every success going forward.
What assessment he has made of the potential risk of closure of the General Dynamics Land Systems UK factory in Merthyr Tydfil following the completion of the 589 Ajax vehicles in 2027.
While the future of the Merthyr Tydfil factory is a matter for General Dynamics Land Systems UK, I have frequent engagement with representatives from General Dynamics, the Welsh Government and the local MPs regarding the Ajax platform.
Pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2026 to Q101187 on Veterans: Visas, by what date will he have waived visa fees for dependents of Commonwealth veterans.
Work is ongoing with the Home Office to deliver the manifesto commitment to scrap visa fees for non-UK veterans and their dependants including those from the Commonwealth, but it is not possible at this stage to provide an implementation date.
By what dates does he plan to have delivered the Digital Targeting Web in full.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to Question 96241 on 10 December 2025. No target date will be given for the ‘full’ implementation of the Digital Targeting Web. This is because to be competitive, the UK must continually adapt and develop its ability to target, and this will require constant evolution.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the sinking of the Ursa Major in December 2024 on the conflict in Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defence are aware of the open-source reports on the sinking of the Ursa Major, however we judge that such an incident would be unlikely to have had a significant impact on the conflict in Ukraine.
What is the scope of the Royal Navy’s NavyX division.
In early 2025, the Royal Navy’s NavyX was amalgamated with the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) and the Navy Artificial Intelligence Cell (NAIC) to form the Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office (DCTO). The new Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office (DCTO) unites the knowledge and skills of innovation specialists from NavyX, the Office of the Chief Technology Officer and the Navy AI Cell. Together, the unit rapidly prototypes, test and deploys advanced technologies to support operations at sea and will address the Royal Navy’s more pressing operational challenges.
How many places in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme will be available in each of the services during the first three years.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 16 January 2026, to Question 104233.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-08/104233
What is the out-of-service date of Pinzgauer.
The current planned out of service date for Pinzgauer is 2030. Out of service dates are continuously reviewed to ensure that the British Army has the capabilities it requires to deliver against Defence commitments.
How many RCH155 Early Capability Demonstrators will be procured as part of the Mobile Fires Platform programme.
The UK will procure one Early Capability Demonstrator platform as part of the Mobile Fires Platform programme with Germany procuring two additional demonstrators. This will allow all three to be used for joint trials and evaluation, providing both time and cost benefits.
How many non-commissioned ships are in service with the Royal Navy.
All ships in service with the Royal Navy are commissioned warships.
How many Gravehawk air defence systems have been purchased by (a) his Department and (b) Denmark.
The UK solely funded the development and production of the first two prototype GRAVEHAWK air-defence systems. The additional 15 GRAVEHAWK systems, of which the first batch will be delivered shortly, are each equally funded by the UK and Denmark.