Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What is the projected cost of the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme in a) 2026/27, b) 2027/28 and c) 2028/29.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946

Whether people participating in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme will be eligible for promotion.

The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society. The Gap Year scheme will start as a first tranche during 2026, to understand the impact and measure success. Gap Year personnel could later become eligible for promotion if they opted to remain in the Armed Forces after their engagement, subject to meeting the requirements of relevant single Service personnel/promotion policy.

What was the (a) role and (b) location of the RAF’s Typhoon Squadrons on 1 January 2026.

The details of the RAF’s Typhoon squadrons and their roles can be found on the RAF website at www.raf.mod.uk

At what stage in the interview process is the forthcoming appointment of the Armed Forces Commissioner.

Five candidates have been interviewed for the role of the Armed Forces Commissioner to date. The recruitment follows the Governance Code on Public Appointments, which is designed to ensure the process is fair, open, and transparent. We are committed to appointing the right person for this critical role, which is central to delivering a trusted and effective service for our people. It is imperative that the Armed Forces Commissioner and their office are set up for success to ensure maximum effect. It is expected that the Commissioner will be appointed this year and their office operational from April, as previously stated.

What assessment was made by his Department of the potential benefits of adopting the Soucy Defence Composite Rubber Track for the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle following the 2017 trial of the system.

The Composite Rubber Track (CRT) trial conducted in 2017 was a success and achieved its aim of completing 5,000 kilometres on one set of tracks. The trial identified several possible exploitation opportunities in the current and future United Kingdom Armoured Fighting Vehicle fleet. No further trials have been undertaken with CRT and the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

What progress his Department has made developing the WEEVIL mine-clearance vehicle.

I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 95410 on 8 December 2025 which remains extant.

When is Operation Shader scheduled to end.

The UK remains committed to the enduring defeat of Daesh through Op SHADER. Whilst all UK operations remain under constant review, there are no plans to end Op SHADER. The UK will continue to do what is necessary to prevent a Daesh resurgence, support regional stability and protect UK national security.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 January to Question 98881, on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what issues were (a) identified and then (b) resolved during the pause in delivery of the programme between June 2021-2023.

In 2021, under the last Government, the Department publicly acknowledged concerns about levels of noise and vibration on the Ajax vehicles. The issues were investigated at the time and appropriate remedial action was put in place. This remedial work was then validated through extensive testing.

What assessment he has made of the impact of the Pelindaba Treaty on the operation of (a) air and (b) maritime operations from Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.

The security provisions we have secured as part of the UK-Mauritius Agreement ensure that the UK will continue to have full operational control over Diego Garcia, including unrestricted access to and use of the military base. Both the UK and Mauritius are satisfied that our existing international obligations are fully compatible with the Agreement. All operations on Diego Garcia will continue to comply with applicable international law.

What is the current planned dates for the (a) Initial Operating Capability and (b) Full Operating Capability declaration for the RCH 155.

The Mobile Fires Platform Project which will deliver the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) Calibre Wheeled Artillery System intended to be mounted on Boxer, remains in its assessment phase and is subject to contract. It is therefore too early to confirm platform numbers, delivery timelines and expected in-service dates. Analysis of future equipment fielding is ongoing. We are making good progress however with the purchase of two of these systems which are undergoing further testing.

What will the terms of engagement be for those participating in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme.

The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society. The Services are finalising their Gap Year plans, including the specifics on terms of engagement, professional training and military qualifications. Services will have the flexibility to provide the most appropriate employment, experiences and skills that offer best value to both participants and Defence. It is intended that participants will be remunerated with equivalency to Regular personnel, with pay, allowances and pension arrangements to be finalised prior to implementation. The schemes will start as a pilot during 2026, to understand the impact and measure success. The pilot is expected to include 150 entrants, with an intention to increase capacity for future cohorts. The total cost to Defence to deliver the pilot scheme is £13M, which will be drawn from existing training and workforce budgets. No costing has yet been completed for future cohorts; which will be informed by the pilot scheme. Participants will undertake their Foundation Years in the enlisted recruit entry rank for each Service, on enlisted terms of engagement. Following completion of training, Royal Navy participants will be classed as Able Seaman Class 2, Army participants will be classed as Private soldiers (or capbadge equivalent) and RAF participants will be classed as Air Specialist 2. The Royal Navy is developing a one-year scheme for sailors with employment offered across operational surface platforms in non-technical activities with participants living and working alongside sailors on ships at sea.The Army is developing an 18-month training scheme, with roles varied across specific trades in the Infantry, Royal Artillery and Royal Logistic Corps.The RAF is developing a one-year programme which will involve participants working alongside Regulars from the RAF’s twelve professions, working across all departments and gaining an understanding of the potential roles available within the RAF.

Pursuant to the answer of 5 January to Question 100522, on General Dynamics, what additional steps were taken by the Army between 23 July 2026 and 15 September 2026 in order to assess that Ajax had fulfilled the Army’s criteria to achieve Initial Operating Capability.

The programme met the pre-agreed elements needed for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) on 23 July 2025. Following this, the Army conducted further work to confirm the standard has been met which resulted in IOC being confirmed by the Army internally on 15 September 2025 .

Pursuant to the answer of 5 January to Question to 100522, on General Dynamics, what additional steps were taken by him from (a) 23 July 2025 and separately from (b) 15 September 2025, in order to assess that Ajax had fulfilled the Government’s criteria to achieve Initial Operating Capability.

The programme met the pre-agreed elements needed for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) on 23 July 2025. Following this, the Army conducted further work to confirm the standard has been met which resulted in IOC being confirmed by the Army internally on 15 September 2025 .

What pension scheme will people participating in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme be eligible for.

The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society. The Services are finalising their Gap Year plans, including the specifics on terms of engagement, professional training and military qualifications. Services will have the flexibility to provide the most appropriate employment, experiences and skills that offer best value to both participants and Defence. It is intended that participants will be remunerated with equivalency to Regular personnel, with pay, allowances and pension arrangements to be finalised prior to implementation. The schemes will start as a pilot during 2026, to understand the impact and measure success. The pilot is expected to include 150 entrants, with an intention to increase capacity for future cohorts. The total cost to Defence to deliver the pilot scheme is £13M, which will be drawn from existing training and workforce budgets. No costing has yet been completed for future cohorts; which will be informed by the pilot scheme. Participants will undertake their Foundation Years in the enlisted recruit entry rank for each Service, on enlisted terms of engagement. Following completion of training, Royal Navy participants will be classed as Able Seaman Class 2, Army participants will be classed as Private soldiers (or capbadge equivalent) and RAF participants will be classed as Air Specialist 2. The Royal Navy is developing a one-year scheme for sailors with employment offered across operational surface platforms in non-technical activities with participants living and working alongside sailors on ships at sea.The Army is developing an 18-month training scheme, with roles varied across specific trades in the Infantry, Royal Artillery and Royal Logistic Corps.The RAF is developing a one-year programme which will involve participants working alongside Regulars from the RAF’s twelve professions, working across all departments and gaining an understanding of the potential roles available within the RAF.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2925 to Question 79699 on Antiship Missiles, when in 2026 is the full business case for the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme scheduled to be (a) submitted and (b) approved.

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme Full Business Case is planned for submission and approval in summer 2026. Existing approvals are in place to support continued work until the end of 2026.

What assessment has he made of the standard of work completed by the Ajax Programme’s Joint Acceptance Group with regards to (a) assembly line output, (b) quality control and (c) level of remedial work required by receiving units.

As previously announced, there are ongoing reviews into the Ajax programme. An assessment will be made should the outcomes identify any concerns with the vehicle acceptance process.

For what reason was the Short Service Limited Commission discontinued in 2007.

The Short Service Limited Commission had, by 2007, already been superseded by the Gap Year Commission. In mid‑2007, the Gap Year Commission was discontinued due to a shift in policy emphasis toward people programme measures judged to deliver wider recruitment and retention benefits. The scheme was later reintroduced in 2015 and was subsequently integrated into what is now the Army Internship Programme.

What assessment has he made of the potential benefit of utilising the Ares vehicle as a direct replacement for the FV430 series Mk3 Bulldog.

The Army routinely assess which vehicles are best aligned to support specific capabilities. The Ares platform has a higher protection level and is more suitable to be employed in the direct battle, rather than in the close support role normally associated with Bulldog. The long-term replacement for the FV430 series Bulldog is being considered as part of the Heavy Protected Mobility sub-programme, within the Land Mobility Programme.

Pursuant to the answer of 5th January 2026 to question 100522 on General Dynamics, how many exercises took place using Ajax-family vehicles between 23 July 2026 and 05 November 2026.

I believe that the hon. Member is referring to 2025 not 2026. Therefore, I can confirm that three exercises involving Ajax vehicles took place between 23 July 2025 and 5 November 2025.

What role has former CGS General Sir Peter Wall played in a) delivery of the Ajax Programme by General Dynamics and b) the decision of General Dynamics to declare Initial Operating Capability on 23 July 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 101921 on 7 January 2026. It would be inappropriate to comment on personnel from external organisations.