Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,521–1,540 of 2,242 · Ministry of Defence
What the full scope is of Project Theia.
Project THEIA is the British Army’s flagship digital transformation programme. Project THEIA is structured around three core objectives; transforming digital culture and behaviours, integrating information across domains and enhancing decision-making. The project has delivered major initiatives to support the digitalisation and modernisation of the British Army.
What the full scope is of Project Cavendish.
Project CAVENDISH will commence in October 2025 and seeks to trial novel wastewater treatment technology on an Ministry of Defence (MOD) site. It will assess the feasibility and viability of net-positive energy sewage treatment on UK MOD sites in the United Kingdom and abroad. It will trial commercially available Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) technology to treat sewage wastewater, produce energy-positive hydrogen and clean effluent.
Pursuant to the Question of 9 September 2025 to Question 74242 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what the Army’s fielding plan is for Ares vehicles.
The Army’s fielding plan is reviewed and updated on a regular basis to meet the changing needs of the Army. Currently ARES will be fielded to Training Regiments, Armoured Cavalry units and Armoured Infantry units.
What the full scope is of Project Effingo.
Project EFFINGO was a UK Defence innovation project, that started in September 2022 and concluded in July 2023. Its aim was to demonstrate that a replica adversarial Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) could be manufactured rapidly, and at relatively low cost, and be delivered to users within UK MOD for training purposes. Conclusion of the project allowed UK MOD to develop relevant Training, Tactics and Procedures (TTPs) for defensive (Counter-UAS) purposes for the protection personnel, assets and infrastructure.
What the full scope is of Project Santa-ana.
Project SANTA ANA is a trial of two ‘off grid’ deployable, modular and mobile energy systems to compare market solutions to; - generate power at the point of use.- store the energy.- manage the energy.- distribute the energy to electric vehicles. The system includes micro wind turbines, battery, solar, energy management systems and Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure. The systems are being trialled at RAF Leeming, RNAS Yeovilton, Bovington and West Moors. The system sited at RAF Leeming is in direct line of sight of an airfield radar system as part of a test of the impact of micro wind turbines on radar. The trial will provide learning to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to the following areas: - To gain experience on reducing the reliance on the hydrocarbon logistics chain.- To produce reliable and dependable off grid energy for a deployable environment.- To exploit micro wind turbine technology.- To challenge policy with respect to micro wind turbine and radar.- To inform and influence MOD stakeholders on mobile renewable energy solutions.- To understand the challenges of managing mobile renewable power and demand.
What formal agreement between the UK and France stipulates the chain-of-command within the coalition of the willing.
The Multi-National Force-Ukraine is a combined UK-France lead, cohering UK-French co-leadership through the basis of the Combined Joint Force, formally the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force and renamed at the UK-France Summit in July 2025. The CJEF Concept of Operations provides a collaboratively shaped set of pre-agreed processes and procedures for planning and managing operations undertaken by the UK and French militaries. The structure offers balance between the two militaries for mutual decision-making within the policy/military space.
What the total cost was of the Armoured Cavalry 2025 Programme.
The Approved Budget Level (ABL) for the Armoured Cavalry (Ajax) Programme is £6.3 billion. This has not changed since 2014. The estimated cost of the programme against this approval is £6.2 billion. The programme cost is estimated in real terms with inflation factored in.
When the RAF’s dual-capable aircraft programme will be delivered.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to Question 63225 on 7 July 2025 to the hon. Member for Poole (Neil Duncan-Jordan). https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-06-26/63225
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 73562 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how his Department defines specialist troops in this context.
The ARES variant is the common base for all the Ajax variants and will be used to deliver and support specialist troops across the battlefield. The term ‘specialist troops’ is used informally, and in this context refers to Anti -Tank Javelin Teams, Snipers and Support Troops.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the test flight of the General Atomics YFQ-42 drone.
This Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which set out the pathway for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence. A key part of the SDR's vision for UK defence is innovation driven by lessons from Ukraine - harnessing drones, data, and digital warfare to make our Armed Forces stronger and safer. The SDR recommends that the Royal Air Force should shift towards the greater use of uncrewed systems as an immediate priority. As part of this transformation, uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Royal Air Force through a broad mix of capabilities to enhance operational effectiveness. This Government is investing an additional £2 billion this Parliament into autonomous systems, including drones, and will establish a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre at initial operating capability by February 2026. The exact types of uncrewed systems to be procured and the associated investment will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
What discussions his Department has had with the former UK Ambassador to the US on the purchase of defence equipment from the US.
The UK Ambassador to the United States, met routinely with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on technology partnership, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 73562 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what his Department's definition is of specialist troops.
The Department does not formally define the term ‘specialist troops’. In the context of Ajax, as per the pursuant Parliamentary Question, the term ‘specialist troops’ is used informally, and in this context refers to Anti -Tank Javelin Teams, Snipers and Support Troops.
What assessment he has made of the capability of the United States Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray aerial refuelling drone.
This Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which set out the pathway for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence. A key part of the SDR's vision for UK defence is innovation driven by lessons from Ukraine - harnessing drones, data, and digital warfare to make our Armed Forces stronger and safer. The SDR recommends that the Royal Air Force should shift towards the greater use of uncrewed systems as an immediate priority. As part of this transformation, uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Royal Air Force through a broad mix of capabilities to enhance operational effectiveness. This Government is investing an additional £2 billion this Parliament into autonomous systems, including drones, and will establish a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre at initial operating capability by February 2026. The exact types of uncrewed systems to be procured and the associated investment will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the test flights of the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat (Block 1) for the Royal Australian Air Force.
This Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which set out the pathway for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence. A key part of the SDR's vision for UK defence is innovation driven by lessons from Ukraine - harnessing drones, data, and digital warfare to make our Armed Forces stronger and safer. The SDR recommends that the Royal Air Force should shift towards the greater use of uncrewed systems as an immediate priority. As part of this transformation, uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Royal Air Force through a broad mix of capabilities to enhance operational effectiveness. This Government is investing an additional £2 billion this Parliament into autonomous systems, including drones, and will establish a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre at initial operating capability by February 2026. The exact types of uncrewed systems to be procured and the associated investment will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the IFV variant of the General Dynamics Ajax.
There are no current plans to procure an IFV variant of Ajax.
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 72215 on Navigation: Satellites, what Alternative Position, Navigation and Timing technologies are being further investigated by the DE&S Space Delivery Team.
To ensure that Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) capabilities are resilient when satellite systems are unavailable or have been compromised, the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) DE&S Space Delivery Team is focused on developing four initial key technology innovations, these include: developing Enhanced Long-Range Navigation (eLoran) capabilities, exploring and utilising Satellite Signals of Opportunity (SATSOO), investigating Chip Scale Atomic Clocks (CSAC) and exploring the applications of Data Fusion. Additional specific technologies will also be identified for investment at a later point in the programme but options for these remain unscoped at this time. Due to the risk of compromising operational security, it would be inappropriate for us to provide any further details on the specific investigations that the Department is undertaking.
How many military personnel work at the National Space Operations Centre.
The National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) is staffed by civilian and military personnel and acts as a central hub for UK Control of Space operations, working in collaboration with the UK Space Agency and the Met Office. No 1 Space Operations Squadron is the military component of NSpoC with over 50 military personnel monitoring space activity and defending the UK's ability to operate in space.
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 71983 on Army: Rifles, what upgrades were made to the L129 rifle as part of the upgrade to A2 configuration.
Upgrades made include a new monolithic upper receiver with an M-LOK handguard that is more comfortable and allows the attachment of ancillaries. The butt stock has been replaced to allow users to adjust for their size and equipment. The new L129A2 rifles also include an improved safety catch, a new flash eliminator that enables the future fitment of signature reduction devices.
What comparative assessment he has made of the suitability of the (a) Ares vehicle platform for offensive infantry operations and (b) the Ajax Infantry Fighting Vehicle variant.
The Army continues to undergo a combined programme of work to ensure our Land Forces will have the lethality, protection and mobility to fight and win against any adversary. The ARES variant of Ajax is designed for mounted close combat and is being delivered to the Field Army. The decision to field ARES with Infantry Battalions was taken after a considerable assessment programme. There is currently no Ajax Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) variant and whilst there is a concept demonstrator, this is not a prototype IFV. The Army continually assesses the requirements to deliver the Armoured Infantry Capability.
What progress he has made in developing lighter-than-air platforms designed for extended loiter times.
Cyber and Specialist Operations Command has sponsored two extended-duration lighter-than-air trials under Project AETHER. Payload testing on the first extended-duration trial was successful and validated the plans to achieve extended loiter times. The second trial used an alternative approach with multiple, smaller stratospheric balloons operating collaboratively in sequence and demonstrating near-continuous Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance coverage for an extended duration.