Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,681–1,700 of 2,250 · Ministry of Defence
What assessment has he made of the potential merits of establishing UK Space Command as an independent branch of the UK armed forces.
UK Space Command remains an integral part of the Ministry of Defence and the UK Armed Forces, working collaboratively to ensure it remains a key component of UK Defence. Its role and effectiveness are continuously reviewed. Whilst there are no plans for this to change, at an appropriate time the future development of UK Space Command will be reviewed.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of adopting the Sig Sauer XM250 as a potential replacement for the L7A2.
The L7A2 General Purpose machine Gun (GPMG) is expected to be replaced under Project CAIRNS. Project CAIRNS is currently a pre-concept project and as such formal consideration of systems, including the Sig Sauer XM250, has not yet taken place.
How many Russian aircraft have been interdicted by RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert aircraft in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.
I am withholding the information requested as deterrence is a principal function of RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) and QRA is in turn an integral part of the air defence of the UK. The disclosure of information that might compromise the QRA deterrent capability would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
How many StormShrouds will be procured by the Royal Air Force.
I am withholding the number of StormShrouds to be procured as it would harm the Capability and Effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
What projects will be delivered via the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office beyond StormShroud.
The Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) remit is to solve problems on behalf of the warfighter, enhancing the capabilities delivered to the front line by exploring game-changing technologies for the Royal Air Force. Many projects are Technology Demonstrations or studies into levels of industry wide technological maturity. Therefore, projects are dynamic and subject to change as they are driven by operational needs.
What new sites for sovereign production of complex weapons and critical systems have been identified by his Department.
The Strategic Defence Review committed to build at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently developing a plan to deliver this commitment alongside our wider Defence Industrial Strategy, delivering long-term investment to boost UK growth and generating skilled UK jobs and export opportunities. The MOD is carefully considering arrangements for those factories including potential locations, and more detail will be set out in due course. It is currently considered to be premature to discuss specific proposals or sites until the necessary preparatory work has concluded.
When satellites (a) Juno and (b) Oberon will be launched.
The Juno and Oberon satellites are expected to launch in 2027 or 2028.
Whether StormShroud will give the Royal Air Force the ability to conduct a pulsed operation.
StormShroud augments and enhances the effects delivered by Combat Air platforms such as Typhoon but given the complex, dynamic and interacting nature of the all the factors that may influence pulsed operations, it is not possible to say that StormShroud alone would be the deciding factor in the ability to conduct a specific pulsed operation.
What integration opportunities across the Defence enterprise have been identified by the DE&S battlespace integration centre.
The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Battlespace Integration Centre has identified numerous integration opportunities through the work undertaken to date on Integrated Air and Missile Defence, Future Air Dominance System, and other themes within the Strategic Defence Review. I am withholding information on the specific integration opportunities identified on the grounds of National Security as their disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Of equal importance have been the systemic opportunities to achieve better integration through understanding of dependencies and better systems-of-systems engineering. The majority of the value created by the Battlespace Integration Centre has been through collaborations on systemic improvements, such as: Exposing data-driven insights into relationships and dependencies between capabilities through collaboration with other MOD initiatives such as Strategic Decision Support and the Defence Capability Hierarchy. Digitising the likes of doctrine and threat data, for faster modelling and simulation of military capability problems. Sponsoring digital/AI innovation which can significantly cut down the time from identification of a problem to the accurate determination of the most effective option to address it.
How many Protector MQ-9Bs have been procured for the Royal Air Force.
Sixteen Protector RG Mk1 have been procured for the Royal Air Force.
When the Outline Business Case for the Type 83 destroyer is expected to be submitted.
On current plans the Outline Business Case will be submitted in June 2026 and subject to the Defence Investment Plan due for publication this Autumn.
What stages of the assembly of the Eurofighter Typhoon take place in (a) Warton, (b) Samlesbury and (c) overseas.
For UK acquired aircraft and UK led export orders, ‘final assembly’ takes place at Warton wherein the Major Equipment components which have been manufactured at Samlesbury by BAES and also by the European Partner Companies at facilities in Germany, Italy and Spain, are ultimately assembled.
Which sovereign missile systems are able to be installed on F-35B.
The Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM), Meteor and SPEAR 3 are the sovereign missiles that can be installed on the F-35B. ASRAAM is fully cleared and in service for use on the F-35B whilst both Meteor and SPEAR 3 are undergoing integration via the F-35 Joint Program Office.
What assessment he has made of the requirement of a high/low weapons mix to deliver high-end effectors to meet the challenge of (a) anti access, (b) area denial and (c) very long range threat systems.
The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Both autonomous and uncrewed technologies features in both Current and Planned Force Testing events, to ensure we capture the impact of changing technology on our force design. The mix of weapons systems required to defeat different target sets has also been the subject of Force Variation Testing. The results of these assessments are militarily sensitive, so are not releasable.The Defence Investment Plan will be published in the Autumn, to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan. We will ensure this plan considers the capabilities we need to deliver a more lethal Integrated Force, alongside infrastructure and people. The plan will ensure Defence has the flexibility to seize new technological opportunities and maximise the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy.
What Military Aid to Civil Authorities taskings have 2 Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems wing conducted since 2022.
2 C-UAS Wing have supported 13 Military Aid to Civil Authority requests from 2022 to 2 September 2025. 2 C-UAS provide counter-drone security to high-level Royal and Political engagements, major public events, and can respond to suspected drone incursions across the UK.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of adopting the US Marines’ littoral regiment concept for naval infantry as outlined in their Force Design 2030.
The Ministry of Defence keeps allied force design developments under review but has no plans to adopt the US Marine Corps Littoral Regiment construct which is designed to support archipelagic warfare and distributed operations in the Indo-Pacific. The Royal Marines and UK Commando Forces are already being transformed through the Littoral Strike/Commando Force programme which is tailored to UK and NATO requirements.
How the Borealis command, control and data processing system will help better (a) monitor and (b) protect UK satellites.
In March of this year, this Government announced a new £65 million deal with CGI UK to deliver for our national security by enhancing protection for our satellite technology that millions rely on, while boosting jobs and growth at home.Project BOREALIS will enhance the UK's ability to monitor and protect crucial space assets, which underpin the UK's security and prosperity, enabling us to navigate the oceans, keep our military personnel safe, monitor the climate, and forecast the weather.Project BOREALIS will integrate various data sources to improve the UK's ability to monitor and safeguard its space assets. It will also form the Command and Control architecture as the backbone for the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC). BOREALIS will iteratively build the NSpOC's capability to support emerging requirements and missions. Project BOREALIS will combine and analyse data from various sources to make the UK less reliant on allies. It aims to create a secure and independent system that provides high-quality information to help protect the UK's interests in space. This project will provide UK military with a better understanding of the Space Domain, boosting the UK's space capabilities and delivering on the Government's Plan for Change.
What progress the 14 Squadron Royal Air Force has made on locating the remaining hostages held in Gaza following 7 October 2025.
While I am unable to comment on intelligence matters for operational security reasons, I can say that the UK Government has been working closely with partners across the region to secure the safe release and recovery of hostages.In support of this effort, the Ministry of Defence has been conducting surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean. These operations include activity within the airspace over Israel and Gaza. To be clear, the mandate for these flights is strictly limited to supporting hostage rescue. The aircraft involved are unarmed and have no combat role.
What direct offensive role is played by UK Space Command.
The Strategic Defence Review 2025 acknowledges space as a critical national infrastructure sector, a site of growing competition, and a domain that is central to warfighting. In recognition of space’s growing strategic importance, the Ministry of Defence carries out a wide-ranging programme of activity to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of innovation, deterrence, and operational readiness in this critical domain. UK Space Command’s mission is to protect and defend national and military space interests and enable UK forces to operate globally. The UK remains steadfast in our commitment to the Outer Space Treaty and the peaceful uses of outer space, ensuring space remains a safe, secure, and sustainable environment for future generations.
What estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of the Teutates programme in the 2025-2026 financial year.
The TEUTATES programme is part of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE). It includes the ongoing development of an interim firing point at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston site. The Technology Development Centre is also at AWE Aldermaston and is now being repurposed to support other programmes, having originally been constructed for TEUTATES.As set out in the DNE 2025 Annual Update to Parliament published on 22 May, the first X-rays by the UK-supplied Induction Voltage Adder machine were fired at the EPURE hydrodynamics facility in November 2024, marking an important Treaty milestone.I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that I am withholding cost estimates for the programme as release would prejudice international relations.