Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 98880 on Ajax Vehicles: Noise, whether concerns were raised by the (a) Defence Science and Technology Lab and (b) Defence Equipment & Support on the accuracy of the findings of the (i) noise and (ii) vibration calculator.

There have been no concerns on the accuracy of the calculator since 2021.Work was undertaken to address concerns raised about the accuracy of the findings of the calculator from both DSTL and Defence Equipment and Support staff prior to 2021. Recent evidence from testing on platforms demonstrates both the accuracy and the safety factor within the calculator. These concerns were raised five years ago and have been fully addressed.

What assessment he has made of the potential risk of new vessels, intended to support operations at HM Naval Base Clyde, procured by Serco as part of the Royal Navy harbour and support craft element of the Defence Maritime Services Next Generation programme may be built in China.

Vessels being procured as part of the Defence Marine Services-Next Generation In-Port Services will not be built in China and future maintenance of the vessels will take place in the UK. This Government is stepping up our support for UK shipbuilders. We are looking closely at the subcontracting supply chain as part of our Shipbuilding and Maritime Technology Action Plan, which will set out our plans to ensure that we are maximising our use of UK industry as an engine for growth.

How many of the order of 589 Ajax hulls have now been built by General Dynamics.

All 589 Ajax hulls have been produced.

How many Ajax vehicles with identified faults were (a) manufactured and assembled in Spain and (b) manufactured in Spain and assembled in Wales.

No Ajax vehicles have been manufactured and assembled in Spain.No Ajax vehicles have been manufactured in Spain and assembled in Wales.

What is the planed timeline for replacing the L118 105mm Light Gun.

An assessment of the future capability requirements remains ongoing. No decisions on a potential replacement have yet been taken.

How many Ajax-family vehicles have completed factory acceptance testing.

The Ajax programme utilises a Joint Acceptance Group to undertake acceptance testing. All 185 capability drop 3 vehicles have been through this process.

Pursuant to the answer of 5th January 2026, to question 100522 on General Dynamics, what was the complete list of criteria for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) that was met on 23 July 2025.

The Armoured Cavalry Programme met all pre-agreed elements required to confirm Initial Operation Capability on 23 July 2025. The criteria spanned across all recognised Defence Lines of Development including Training, Equipment, Personnel, Information, Doctrine and Concepts, Organisation, Infrastructure, Safety and Logistics. It would not be appropriate to release the complete list of criteria as to do so could, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the decrease in power-to-weight ratio between Challenger 2 and Challenger 3.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intent and he will know that Challenger 3 has been designed to deliver an optimal balance of lethality, survivability, and mobility to meet its operational requirements.

What is the full scope of Project Vanquish.

Project Vanquish has been launched by the Royal Navy to seek proposals from industry for a Technical Demonstration of a Fixed-Wing, Short Take Off and Landing, Autonomous Collaborative Platform. Vanquish will be a jet-powered aircraft able to take off and land from a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier without the need for catapults or arrestor gear. It will determine the ability of such an air vehicle to deliver maritime mission sets for Carrier Strike.

Pursuant to the answer of 5th January 2026, to question 100522 on General Dynamics, when was a) he or b) the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, informed, formally or informally that all criteria for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) were met on 23 July 2025, and by whom.

As previously confirmed, prior to Initial Operating Capability being announced on 5 November 2025, assurances and advice were provided to Ministers regarding the safety of the platform and confirming all criteria had been met.

Communities and Local Government, what is the projected total cost of local government reorganisation in England.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 77631 on 13 October 2025.

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 is the total increase in business rates for 2026/27, compared to 2025/26, across the entire NHS estate.

The Government does not hold data on the total increase in business rates across the entire NHS estate in (a) 2026-27 compared to (b) 2025-26. The total change in business rates revenue is set out in the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

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.