The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that sufficient stocks of 5.56mm ammunition are available to support all Army Cadet Force (ACF) and Combined Cadet Force (CCF) activities for the 2025-26 training year, including shooting training requirements and national competitions.
In a written response to a parliamentary question from Ben Obese-Jecty, Conservative MP for Huntingdon, Minister for Veterans Al Carns stated that the Army’s Cadets branch had reviewed the ammunition allocation and found it sufficient to fully support the Army Cadet syllabus as well as both regional and national shooting competitions.
Carns detailed the recent ammunition allocations as follows:
- 2023-24: 5,604,740 rounds
- 2024-25: 5,740,744 rounds
- 2025-26: 5,586,780 rounds
Although there is a slight decrease in the number of rounds allocated for 2025-26 compared to the previous year, the Ministry has assured that the available stock will meet all training and competition requirements.
The confirmation comes amid ongoing scrutiny over defence resources and youth engagement initiatives, with cadet forces seen as a vital part of the UK’s efforts to develop leadership, teamwork, and practical skills among young people while fostering a deeper connection to the armed forces.
The Army Cadet Force and the Combined Cadet Force together provide thousands of teenagers across the UK with opportunities to participate in military-themed training, including marksmanship, navigation, and fieldcraft activities, supported by regular access to safe and supervised shooting practice using service-standard equipment.
The UK is talking up support for Ukraine and strengthening NATO but that’s all it will be talk if we don’t spend more money.
A 2.7% reduction isn’t much, if a cadet shoots 75 rounds per year each one only looses two rounds.
What we ought to be saying is we will provide 10% more to allow the cadets to expand by 10% next year. That may just help with slowing the fall in numbers of our armed forces.
Not that many cadets go on to military careers. I was an adult volunteer for 5 years with Sussex ACF. I would say less than 5%.
And not that many regulars have backgrounds in the cadets either. 5% seems about right, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a unit with more than 2-3 ex Cadets in it at any one time.