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 2,921–2,940 of 4,549 · this parliament
On what date will the Defence Exports Office be operational.
Design work for the Exports function is well underway and building momentum through several pilot Government to Government exports. Initial stand up is expected no later than end October 2025 with full implementation continuing over the next 12 months.
What recent progress he has made on the Spearfish Upgrade programme.
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 30 April 2025 to Question 47292 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).
What progress he has made in reaching consensus on the development path for Meteor across all six partner nations.
Options for future Meteor development remain under consideration by the Meteor Partner Nations. Further working level discussions are planned for September and October with the aim of reaching a consensus by the end of the year.
What (a) units and (b) functions will be moved from MoD Chicksands to RAF Wyton; and how many personnel.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to identify the best approach to realise the sale of the surplus land parcels including MOD Chicksands. This will include a detailed options appraisal and analysis of the proposed move's business case, however at the present time the preferred option has not yet been identified.
What information his Department holds on the size of (a) domestic and (b) overseas orders that would be required to maintain 100% of workforce skills at the Warton assembly line.
As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, this Government is committed to ensuring Defence is an engine for growth, driving jobs and prosperity through a new partnership with industry. The Department continues to work very closely with our most important suppliers to support UK economic growth and drive exports, including those of the Typhoon aircraft. However, the size and scope of the workforce at BAE Systems’ Warton site is a matter for the company.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Kamchatka earthquake on the (a) Russian submarine fleet and (b) Russian Pacific surface fleet at Rybachiy.
While the Department can't comment on specific intelligence related to this matter in the interests of maintaining national security. The hon. member can be reassured that assessments of Russian capability continue to be an important activity for the Department.
How many scimitar tanks the British Army currently holds (a) in reserve and (b) that are awaiting disposal.
No Scimitar vehicles are held in reserve and only one vehicle is awaiting disposal.
Whether she has taken steps to update The Air Navigation Order 2016 to reflect advances in drone capability.
In 2023, the Department for Transport (DfT) commissioned the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to review the UK drone Regulation which was undertaken through a public consultation. The CAA published its consultation reply on 8 May 2025. DfT is now updating the rules for drones to make them simpler, safer, and better suited to how they are used today and in the future. This includes updating the Air Navigation Order 2016.
What doctrinal publication defines the British Army’s armoured infantry company group tactics.
The British Army’s Armoured Infantry company group tactics are defined within the doctrinal publication Army Field Manual Warfighting Tactics, Part 5A: Armoured and Armoured Infantry Subunit Tactics.
What comparative assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the performance of the (a) 338 Lapua Magnum round and (b) .338 RUAG round for the L115A3 Long Range Rifle.
Project KEYES is a pre-concept plan to replace the L115 and L121 Sniper rifles in the early 2030s and will reconsider calibre and ammunition natures as it progresses.
From what date RPAS will pilots be streamed for selection rather than recruited separately from crewed systems.
With effect from 1 April 2024, Pilots recruited into the Royal Air Force are eligible to be streamed to Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) following completion of their Elementary Flying Training.
By what date sufficient crews and familiarisation with the new Protector system will be achieved to allow Protector to be deployed.
I am withholding the requested information as it would harm the Capabilities and Security of the Armed Forces.
From when will Protector be certified to operate in Class A to C airspace.
As a military registered air system, Protector RG Mk1 only requires certification by the Military Aviation Authority, who issued the Military Type Certificate for the air system in April 2025. Protector is already capable of operating in Class A and C airspace in the UK and the MOD continues to work closely with the CAA and international authorities to integrate Protector globally.
What progress Defence Equipment and Support has made on modelling the key integration challenges associated with Homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence.
Modelling the key integration challenges associated with Homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence is in progress to determine the best balance for investment of the up to £1 billion of new funding announced in the Strategic Defence Review.
What manpower reduction Protector MQ-9B’s ATLC function creates by replacing the LRE capability of Reaper.
The Automatic Take Off and Land Capability (ATLC) of Protector negates the requirement for Ground Control Station (GCS), pilot, sensor operator and GCS support staff to be present at any forward operating base to conduct the take-off and landing. As Protector is operated under a different construct to Reaper, no overall direct comparison can be made.
What percentage of RAF infrastructure is more than 50 years old.
This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that considerable amounts of the defence estate is over 50 years old but the Government does not keep statistics based on age, but rather current use types. As such, we cannot provide that information without incurring disproportionate cost.
What assessment has he made of the potential merits of renegotiating the 1967 Outer Space Treaty to reflect current exploitation of the difference between (a) air and (b) space.
The Outer Space Treaty (OST) is the cornerstone of international space law with all major space-faring nations being party to this treaty. The Treaty explicitly affirms that activities in the exploration and use of outer space must be carried out in accordance with international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter. This includes the prohibition on the threat or use of force, which applies to States’ space activities, as it does to other domains. The Treaty also prohibits the stationing of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in outer space. The Treaty does not impose a formal distinction between air and outer space, and this has not impeded the UK’s ability to pursue its ambitious goals in both aviation and space. We remain 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. Across government, there are efforts to strengthen governance of space more generally though the UN, including working through the UN Committee On the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and promoting norms rules and principles of responsible space behaviours to address threats to space systems.
What progress he has made on the Future Air Dominance System programme.
The Future Air Dominance System’s Strategic Outline Case has been approved. The Programme is currently in its Concept phase as a Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) item. Investment in a UK-sovereign maritime Radar Technology Demonstrator programme has commenced, with a contract placed with BAE Systems in July. As a critical element of the UK Defence Industrial Strategy, with the potential to deliver a genuine regional spread of growth, FADS remains one of the Navy’s highest priority future capability programmes.
What assessment he has made of the capability of the Royal Navy’s Project CETUS crewless submarine demonstrator following its launch in February 2025.
The Ministry of Defence is continuing to assess XV EXCALIBUR to determine its operational capabilities. Since its launch in February 2025, the vessel has already completed Sea Acceptance Trials and recently participated in multinational collaboration as part of Exercise TALISMAN SABRE. As a capability demonstrator, XV EXCALIBUR is not intended to enter operational service, but will continue to be subject to progressive experimentation and capability demonstration activities. XV EXCALIBUR will inform the Royal Navy’s future Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (XLAUV) fleet by helping to understand and develop how XLAUVs can be operated, maintained and commanded.
With reference to page 25 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, if she will take legislative steps to introduce a new offence for (a) acts preparatory to extreme violence and (b) individuals identified as violence fixated.
As mentioned in the National Security Strategy 2025, the Government accepts and strongly supports the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation’s (IRTL) recommendation to consider creating a new offence to capture individuals intending to kill multiple people and planning for such attacks.As recognised by the IRTL, this is a complex area of law and will require working through difficult legal and ethical issues to avoid unintended consequences. We are considering carefully the best way to close the gap in the legislation.The Government is also working at pace to understand the causal factors and adequacy of public policy interventions to address the risk posed by individuals fascinated with extreme violence and/or mass casualty attacks, but who do not meet the terrorism threshold.