Ministry of Defence
We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)
Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Defence)
Conservative
James Cartlidge (Con - South Suffolk)Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Liberal Democrat
Helen Maguire (LD - Epsom and Ewell)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Baroness Goldie (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Defence)
Earl of Minto (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Mark Francois (Con - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Ministers of State
Lord Coaker (Lab - Life peer)Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Maria Eagle (Lab - Liverpool Garston)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Al Carns (Lab - Birmingham Selly Oak)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Luke Pollard (LAB - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
16:18
Written Evidence
This inquiry will examine the Armed Forces Covenant, the UK’s commitment to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community …
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will write to veterans who were responsible for guarding …
This instrument amends Rule 34 of the Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2041). Rule 2 provides that in …
A Bill to establish, and confer functions on, the Armed Forces Commissioner; to abolish the office of Service Complaints Ombudsman; …
09:58
News and Communications
Ministry of Defence Commons Appearances
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Bills currently before Parliament
Ministry of Defence does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
Ministry of Defence has not passed any Acts during the 2024 Parliament
Ministry of Defence - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
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(273 in the last 7 days)
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Departmental Select Committee
Defence Committee
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
11 Members of the Defence Committee
Defence Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee: Upcoming Events
The Armed Forces Covenant
4 Feb 2025, 10 a.m.
View calendar - Save to Calendar
Defence Committee - Oral evidence
The Armed Forces Covenant
4 Feb 2025, 10 a.m.
At 10:30am: Oral evidence
Mark Atkinson - Director General at The Royal British Legion
Lieutenant General Sir Nick Pope KCB CBE - Chair at Cobseo
At 11:30am: Oral evidence
Rebecca Lovell - Head of Policy at Naval Families Federation
Collette Musgrave - Chief Executive at Army Families Federation
Vanessa Plumley - Acting Director at RAF Families Federation
View calendar - Save to Calendar
Defence Committee: 24 Current Inquiries
Defence Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)The Secretary of State for Defence last met with a General of the Israel Defense Forces on Friday 2 August 2024, during a visit to hold an introductory meeting with the Israeli Defence Minister, and discuss efforts to reduce the risk of escalation in the Middle East.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We continue to work closely with HM Treasury on the agreement with Mauritius and will take this forward into the Spending Review. The Office for Value for Money has not been involved in these discussions to date.
Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We are committed to sustaining the Ministry of Defence Cadet Forces in Kent, in England, and across the UK.
And Kent, as with other counties, is very well served with numerous Sea Cadet units, Army Cadet detachments and Air Cadet squadrons in the community, and Combined Cadet Force contingents in schools.
We know that participation in the Cadet Forces provides the opportunity for young people to develop key attributes such as confidence, self-discipline, and resilience, and helps to increase their performance at school and improving employment and career prospects.
We know that if just 1% of cadets change their life outcomes each year – so that they take part in education or training or gain employment – then the annual cost of the Cadet Forces is covered.
We are proud that we already invest a significant amount each year in these excellent organisations, and I have directed that we review how we can improve the offer and size of the Cadet Forces.
The Government is convinced of the benefits that the Cadet Forces provide, not just for young people who participate, but also for the adult volunteers who deliver the cadet experience, and for society as a whole.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence has commissioned studies on the impact and value of the Cadet Forces to society and to schools. This independent research provides clear evidence that the cadet experience is not only engaging and fun but can, for some, be literally life changing.
We know that by participating in the cadets, young people can develop many important attributes and key life skills such as the ability to work well in a team, self-confidence, resilience and determination. All these contribute to positive health and wellbeing outcomes for the participants.
In fact, the research indicates that in terms of health and wellbeing alone participation in the Cadet Forces could yield significant annual returns on investment estimated as being in the region of £120 million each year. This being due to lifetime benefits accruing from increasing participation in further and higher education, fewer GP visits, and reductions in the use of mental health services.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
On 15 January I met with veterans who guarded the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant in Iraq in 2003. It was a positive meeting in which my priority was giving the veterans the space to be able to share their experiences and concerns.
I am committed to regularly engaging with veteran groups, and as a veteran myself, I would like to reassure you that the health and wellbeing of all our veterans is of the upmost importance. This Government is committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve, who have served and their families.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The programme achieved a significant milestone with the successful first SPEAR guided firing conducted at the end of 2024, demonstrating progress despite the challenges outlined in the Infrastructure and Project Authority's Annual Report 2023-24, which remain ongoing. Since the report, the programme has faced additional challenges stemming from interdependencies with international partners, requiring significant adjustments to maintain progress. The SRO, in collaboration with Defence Equipment and Support and Industry, is prioritising the development of a revised and viable baseline, which is planned to be finalised in Quarter two of financial year 2025-26.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Wedgetail programme has seen the first aircraft complete three test flights, be painted in the markings of 8 Squadron and continues with the installation of mission equipment at STS Aviation at Birmingham Airport, before entering the test and evaluation phase later this year. Aircraft two and three are progressing with integrating their modifications as planned.
The infrastructure programme at RAF Lossiemouth has delivered the combined Poseidon and Wedgetail engineering line facility, as well as 8 Squadron headquarters office accommodation, with the final elements of the technical facility expected to be handed over in March 2025.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As part of the Government's Major Project Portfolio, details on the Clyde Infrastructure programme are routinely released as part of this Government's annual transparency return to Parliament.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government remains fully committed to delivering a thriving UK shipbuilding sector and recognises the vital role shipbuilding and its skilled workforce plays in the economic prosperity and growth of the UK.
Navantia's purchase of Harland and Wolff is a significant investment into the UK's industrial base and demonstrates Navantia UK's continuing commitment to the UK. The Government is confident that this market-led solution is positive for Harland and Wolff and the shipbuilding industry more broadly, and provides the best opportunity to sustain essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity and capability for future Naval work.
This Government is committed to working with the whole shipbuilding industry, Navantia UK included, in supporting jobs and sustaining and growing our shipbuilding sector across the UK.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
HMS SUTHERLAND is reaching the end of her life extension refit. Once this is complete, she will undertake a period of force generation and assurance ahead of assuming readiness for routine and contingent tasking.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
None. UK suppliers have not manufactured nor exported components that are exclusively used on the Israeli variant of the F-35 aircraft.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Alison Griffiths
(Conservative - Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)
The Ministry of Defence is compliant with the existing legislation which is set out in the Employment Rights Act 1996. This provides for protection against unfair dismissal for employees with at least two years of service. Employees with less than two years of service can claim unfair dismissal in certain circumstances, including for discrimination based on protected characteristics.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence’s work to improve diversity and inclusion within the Armed Forces is conducted holistically and is not targeted within specific constituencies.
In a competitive age, our advantage derives from the talent and skills of our people, and our Armed Forces are at their best when they are diverse.
Defence is dedicated to recruiting and retaining the best talent, drawn from the broadest diversity of thought, skills, and background, to safeguard the security, stability and prosperity of our nation and better represent the nation we serve.
We are committed to making the step changes required to create a more inclusive environment, enabling everyone, irrespective of background, to deliver our Defence outputs, enhance our operational effectiveness and better defend and represent the nation we serve.
The Armed Forces continue to work hard to broaden the diversity of our workforce through actively engaging with our employees to drive an inclusive culture at work, attract the best talent and better reflect the society we serve.
We do not tolerate abuse, bullying or discrimination of any kind and encourage any personnel who believe they have experienced or witnessed unacceptable behaviour to report it.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
My written Answer on 28 November 2024 referenced £4,682,122 of compensation paid to 'relatives of those shot and killed by soldiers in Northern Ireland during the Troubles'. That cohort included 20 individual claims.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
No military homes in Northern Ireland were brought back from Annington Property Limited as part of the Annington Deal which was announced on 17 December 2024. Military housing in Scotland and Northern Ireland is predominantly owned directly by the Ministry of Defence.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence is processing 107 claims relating to individuals shot or killed by soldiers in Northern Ireland, during the Troubles.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Ministry of Defence future use of the Commercial Air Transport Contract has been assessed and will be significantly cheaper than the cancelled Future Rotary Wing Command Support Air Transport contract. Individual user budgets will pay for use under the Ministerial Air Transport Office managed Commercial Air Transport Contract, as is normal for transportation costs; as a result it will not be from the same budget as the Command Support Air Transport contract.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Under the Commercial Air Transport Contract, Ministry of Defence Ministers, senior Department officials and senior officers will have access to helicopter transport. The Royal Household make independent arrangements for Royal Helicopter transport.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK has a moral obligation to assist our Afghan friends and allies who served for, with or alongside our Armed Forces in support of UK objectives in Afghanistan. We will honour that moral duty.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) offers a range of packages for those relocated under the ARAP upon their arrival. This includes transitional accommodation on the Defence Estate, orientation and cultural awareness briefings, safeguarding, and English language support, as well as help to register to access mainstream services (such as the NHS, education, employment, and universal credit). Working with Local Authorities and other Government Departments, the MOD has also supported families in moving into settled accommodation.
This Government is fully committed to delivering on the pledge to those in Afghanistan who are eligible to relocate and resettle, and we continue to welcome these Afghans and their families to the UK through our Afghan resettlement schemes. This is why, as announced by the Secretary of State for Defence on 18 December 2024, we are launching the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), which will draw together a single pipeline for Afghan resettlement, working cross-Government, to deliver greater efficiency and better outcomes.
Further information on the resettlement offer under the ARP can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-resettlement-programme
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Senate confirmation process is still ongoing for members of President Trump's Administration cabinet. The Government looks forward to working with US Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth following his confirmation by the Senate and the Administration in the months and years ahead once all relevant officials are in place.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As at 23 January 2025, there were 113 trained Military Working Dogs (MWD) in the British Army.
Determining whether an annual breakdown of MWD in the Army could be provided for each year since 2010 could only be achieved at a disproportionate cost due to information being held in different formats.
We would not routinely release the requirement for Military Working Animals due to reasons of operational security.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not offer Shared Parental Leave (SPL) to employees as a day one right.
To be eligible for SPL, a MOD Civilian employee (or their partner) must be entitled to Maternity/Adoption Leave or Pay (or Maternity Allowance), and must share the main responsibility for caring for the child with their partner.
One parent must have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks, 15 weeks before the child is due. They should also still be employed in the first week that Shared Parental Leave is to be taken. In addition, the other parent must have worked for 26 weeks in the 66 weeks leading up to the due date.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not offer paternity leave to employees as a day one right. To qualify for paternity leave, MOD Civilian staff must have completed 26 weeks of continuous service, extending into the 15th week before the baby is due. In addition, an individual’s average weekly earnings must be at or above the lower earnings limit for National Insurance purposes.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Protector training has now transferred to the UK having completed four aircrew basic qualification courses in the United States. Further, four Protector Air Vehicles have now been delivered to RAF Waddington, where they are being maintained by 31 Squadron engineers. The required Test and Evaluation activity and UK training is underway, ahead of the planned platform in-service declaration later in 2025.
From a broader perspective, the UK is leading the MQ-9 International Cooperation Support Partnership which now has seven participant members (UK, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain) and five observer nations (Greece, Lithuania, Norway, Qatar, Sweden), with an expectation of further growth. The UK is working closely with the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force to scope options to provide Protector in support of operations in the Northern Atlantic and Arctic regions. Opportunities for NATO investment in RAF Waddington to support growth are also progressing.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The table below shows the proportion of officer cadets entering Sandhurst in the last 10 years who attended independent and state schools.
This data has been provided from a Single Service source rather than official statistics produced by Defence Statistics as the latter do not collate this information.
Training Year | Independent Schools % | State Schools % |
2015-16 | 40 | 60 |
2016-17 | 42 | 58 |
2017-18 | 43 | 57 |
2018-19 | 48 | 52 |
2019-20 | 43 | 57 |
2020-21 | 44 | 56 |
2021-22 | 43 | 57 |
2022-23 | 41 | 59 |
2023-24 | 39 | 61 |
2024-25 | 39 | 61 |
Note:
Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number for presentational purposes.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The last visit to the Ministry of Defence by a General of the Israel Defense Forces took place on Wednesday 22 January 2024, by Major General Oded Basyuk.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The table below presents the budget and amount spent by Defence Medical Services in each year since 2016. Figures prior to 2016 are not held in the format requested:
Financial Year | Budget £ | Spend £ |
16/17 | 505,432,887.00 | 457,074,000 |
17/18 | 476,356,801.00 | 461,981,000 |
18/19 | 469,936,182.00 | 470,270,000 |
19/20 | 498,647,556.00 | 494,110,000 |
20/21 | 502,061,045.00 | 470,433,673 |
21/22 | 507,039,627.00 | 492,879,950 |
22/23 | 530,653,498.00 | 509,508,070 |
23/24 | 550,152,449.00 | 544,294,366 |
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Whilst a statistical release of overall Armed Forces strength is published annually, strength and capability statistics for certain specialisations are not released.
Releasing the current strength and requirement of medical service personnel could be exploited by our adversaries to target, disrupt and degrade an important element of Armed Forces capability.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence continually reviews the demand for Combat Aircraft, including through the ongoing Strategic Defence Review. UK Combat Aircraft will be required to operate in increasingly demanding threat environments. The UK Combat Air strategy recognises this changing threat and determines our mix of 4th and 5th generation aircraft mix, in order to provide the UK the most relevant and capable force mix. As part of the four Partner-Nation Eurofighter Programme, the UK is committed to upgrades to ensure the Typhoon aircraft remains competitive into the future, including the introduction of the European Common Radar Standard 2 radar.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The response to Question 20117 on Defence Equipment Expenditure is in the process of being finalised and will be sent shortly.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Army invests significantly in skills, education and training for its people to build the problem-solving attributes, teamwork, resilience, intellect and creativity needed to be successful now and in the future.
The Army maintains an active overseas training programme that delivers against robust training objectives and supports UK defence engagement efforts overseas, as well as demonstrating our clear commitment to our Allies and partners.
The information requested is not held centrally, but I have provided a broad estimate of approximate figures. An illustrative estimate of the number of overseas training exercises conducted as part of the Overseas Training Exercise (OTX) programme is provided below. Please be aware however that some exercises are not included (such as those for specialist units) in the figures provided and the table represents only a partial picture. Information required to answer the question in full is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Year | Number of Overseas Exercises held |
2010-2020 | 75 exercises per year. (estimated)* |
2020-2021 | 0 - due to COVID |
2021-2022 | 0 - due to COVID |
2022-2023 | 55 |
2023-2024 | 84 |
2024-2025 | 70 to be completed (estimated) |
*Detailed information on training activity prior to 2020 is no longer held in accordance with MOD data retention policy, as a result this figure is strictly an estimate of annual activity
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I’d like to thank the hon. Member for her question. As she will understand collating this data is a considerable exercise but I’m pleased to confirm that I wrote to her on 27 January 2025 and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The 2019 Review of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCAs) was published on 24 March 2020 and placed in the Library of the House. The Review recommended that the Council of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (CRFCA) and the 13 RFCAs should be merged into a single Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), with a National Office and a set of regional organisations. The views of the membership were taken into account as part of the review which can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-reserve-forces-cadets-associations-2019.
The NDPB implementation work was paused in March 2023 due to it failing to obtain a legislative slot in the last Parliament, but this work has now re-commenced.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department continues to fill the highest priority roles first in accordance with current and future output requirements. I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The following table provides a breakdown, by Service, of the numbers of OF-3 UK Regular Armed Forces personnel (Army Major and equivalent), as at 1 October 2024. Please note that we do not routinely release workforce requirement figures for reasons of operational security.
| |
OF-3 (Army Major and equivalent) by Substantive Rank | 1 October 2024 |
UK Regular Forces | 7,747 |
Royal Navy/Royal Marines | 1,732 |
Army | 4,048 |
Royal Air Force | 1,967 |
| Source: Analysis (Tri-Service) |
Table notes:
- UK Regulars comprise Full time Service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service, Locally Engaged Personnel, Non Regular Permanent Staff, High Readiness Reserve and Expeditionary Forces Institute personnel. Figures include trained and untrained personnel.
- Figures are based on individual's substantive rank.
- Figures include all personnel at OF-3 regardless of eligibility for Staff Officer 2 posts. This includes personnel on the Resilience Margin.
- Figures include all personnel regardless of Medical Deployability Status.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
We take the security of all our bases overseas seriously and take appropriate measures for their protection. This process is continually kept under review.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
In 2022, with Departmental support, the Army adopted a position not to release the workforce requirement of its internal organisations following the announcement of the Integrated Review and Future Soldier transformation.
I am happy to speak to my hon. Friend about this further.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
It remains longstanding UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Wedgetail aircraft has yet to enter operational service.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Three Multi-Role-Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radars have been delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) at the UK production facility.
The remaining two MESA radars are in production with Northrop Grumman and will be delivered to the RAF in Summer 2025.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The estimated whole life cost of the E-7 Wedgetail remains subject to approval of the Full Business Case.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The CROWSNEST programme delivers the Royal Navy's Merlin Mark2 helicopter Airborne Surveillance and Control capability, which includes Airborne Early Warning. There has been no change to the current out of service date, and the planned retirement date remains 31 December 2029, as the capability was not extended in the 2021 Integrated Review.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The number of chefs in post for the Army since 2010 are as follows:
Year* | Total |
2024 | 868 |
2023 | 920 |
2022 | 945 |
2021 | 973 |
2020 | 992 |
2019 | 1,061 |
2018 | 1,136 |
2017 | 1,186 |
2016 | 1,222 |
2015 | 1,281 |
2014 | 1,586 |
2013 | 1,969 |
2012 | 2,296 |
2011 | 2,556 |
2010 | 2,547 |
|
|
*The figure for each year was extrapolated from the number in post on 01 April for each respective year
We do not routinely release the workforce requirement figures of Army regiments or specialist professions as doing so is likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I hope that my Rt Hon friend will understand that I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Whilst a statistical release of overall Armed Forces strength is published annually, strength and capability statistics for certain specialisations are not released.
Releasing the current strength and requirement of medical service personnel could be exploited by our adversaries to target, disrupt and degrade an important element of Armed Forces capability.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The number of veterinary officers in post for the Army since 2010 are as follows.
Year* | Total |
2024 | 41 |
2023 | 43 |
2022 | 45 |
2021 | 45 |
2020 | 41 |
2019 | 40 |
2018 | 43 |
2017 | 41 |
2016 | 35 |
2015 | 35 |
2014 | 41 |
2013 | 41 |
2012 | 37 |
2011 | 36 |
2010 | 35 |
*The figure for each year was extrapolated from the number in post on 01 April for each respective year
We do not routinely release the workforce requirement figures of Army regiments or specialist professions as doing so is likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The number of Logistics (Air Ground Stewards) in the Royal Air Force in each year since 2010 is as follows:
Ground Stewards | Total |
01 April 2010 | 482 |
01 April 2011 | 464 |
01 April 2012 | 435 |
01 April 2013 | 408 |
01 April 2014 | 395 |
01 April 2015 | 390 |
01 April 2016 | 392 |
01 April 2017 | 372 |
01 April 2018 | 349 |
01 April 2019 | 333 |
01 April 2020 | 330 |
01 April 2021 | 339 |
01 April 2022 | 331 |
01 April 2023 | 312 |
01 April 2024 | 291 |
Data is unable to be broken down by Air Steward and Ground Steward specialisation.
I am withholding the information requested for the workforce requirement as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The total funds allocated for the Spearfish torpedo programme are approximately £1154 million which includes the approximate cost of £626 million for the through life management of the programme.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There is no lease with respect to Diego Garcia. US presence and operations in the British Indian Ocean Territory are governed by a series of international agreements, beginning with a 1966 Exchange of Notes between the US and UK.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State has not yet had personal discussions with his Armenian counterparts, but we do have good and growing engagement in the region, including Staff Talks in Yerevan shortly and the announcement of a resident Defence Section, due to open in Armenia later in the year. We are currently exploring the possibility of Ministerial bi-lateral engagement later in the year.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)