The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has released its annual location statistics, revealing a significant reduction in the size of the UK Regular Forces over the past decade.
According to the data release, the total number of UK Regular Forces based in the UK has decreased to 132,360 as of 1 April 2024, a notable decline from 156,970 in 2014.
This represents a reduction of 24,610 personnel, or approximately 15.7%.
Key trends from the report
- UK Regular Forces in the UK
As of 2024, the strength of UK Regular Forces in the UK is 132,360 personnel, marking a decrease of 4,350 compared with the previous year, 2023. - UK Regular Forces Overseas
The strength of UK Regular Forces stationed overseas in 2024 is 5,700 personnel, a slight decrease of 110 compared with 2023. - MOD Civilian Personnel in the UK
In 2024, the number of MOD Civilian personnel in the UK increased to 55,280, up by 990 personnel from 2023. - MOD Civilian Personnel Overseas
The strength of MOD Civilian personnel located overseas stands at 4,520 in 2024, a decrease of 20 personnel compared with the previous year. - UK Regular Forces in Germany
The number of UK Regular Forces stationed in Germany increased slightly to 520 personnel in 2024, an increase of 20 from 2023. - Region with the Highest Number of UK Regular Forces
The South East UK remains the region with the highest number of UK Regular Forces, totaling 37,490 personnel in 2024. However, this represents a decrease of 390 personnel compared with 2023. - Region with the Highest Number of MOD Civilian Personnel
The South West UK has the highest number of MOD Civilian personnel, with 23,210 personnel in 2024, an increase of 780 from the previous year.
The continuous reduction in the number of UK Regular Forces highlights a decade-long trend of downsizing. This decline reflects strategic shifts within the MOD, influenced by budgetary constraints, changes in defence policy, and a re-evaluation of military needs.
Back in May 2024, it was reported that the Ministry of Defence’s latest quarterly service personnel statistics revealed a significant decline in the number of personnel in the British Army and other branches of HM Armed Forces. The total strength of UK Forces service personnel, including reserves, stands at 183,230, marking a decrease of 5,590 personnel, or 3%, from 1 April 2023.
Despite the overall decrease, the number of new recruits joining the UK Regular Armed Forces increased slightly by 2% (210 people), totalling 11,300 new recruits in the past 12 months.
Why?
Despite recent media speculation about a potential increase, the previous Conservative Government confirmed that the full-time strength of the British Army would indeed reduce to 73,000 by 2025. This decision formed a key part of the “Future Soldier” strategy, targeting a comprehensive force of over 100,000, which will include 30,100 Army Reserve personnel.
John Healey, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence at the time of asking but not the incumbent, specifically asked in the House of Commons on 7 September 2023, “To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it remains his Department’s policy to reduce the full time strength of the British Army to 73,000 by 2025.”
James Heappey, then Minister of State for the Armed Forces, responded unequivocally, stating, “Yes. The Army is continuing to implement Future Soldier which will see a whole force of over 100,000 comprising of 73,000 Regular Service Personnel and 30,100 Army Reserve.”
What’s happening?
In 2021, the previous government announced it would reduce the size of the army from 82,000 to 73,000 trained regulars. It also said the army would be modernised to take advantage of new technologies.
In January 2023, the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee published a report entitled ‘UK defence policy: From aspiration to reality?’. The committee agreed with the government that the integrated review needed to be re-examined in light of the war in Ukraine.
It argued the “strategic assumptions” on which the previous integrated review was based had now changed. As part of its inquiry, the committee considered the issue of the size of the army.
Concerns raised
The report noted that some of the witnesses it had heard evidence from had expressed concern about plans to reduce the number of army personnel. This included the former chief of the defence staff, General Sir Nick Carter, who argued the size of the army should be “in the order of 80,000” to ensure that the UK could field a full division of troops as part of a combined NATO force.
The committee also heard evidence from Professor Michael Clarke, the former deputy director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, who argued the government’s target size for the army would be sufficient to field a full combat division but would not leave sufficient capacity for the army to do anything else.
Simply unacceptable – scrap Capita and return to local units undertaking local recruitment!
Bring back National Service,we are already a minnow in a pond full of pike, also good investments in whatever the 3 branches of the armed services need..and yes Capita need the boot they have no buisness been involved in M.O.D buisness, its folly !
What if Russia knocks on our back door next week…we will all need fresh underwear !
We need our Military strong and in place before shit hits the fan, not after ! New Govenment better not drag there feet ! No time like the present.
Those who think we have all the time in the world to get ready need a serious wake up call, and a good slap..Wake Up !
Would you want to be outnumbered by an enemy knowing the weak specimen next to you does not want to serve and will cower as soon as the first shot is fired? Personally I’d rather have a fully trained motivated person I know I can rely on next to me. There is no shortage of potential recruits, they are just not being recruited!
I see your point ! Alas a trained professional or civilian we will all be fodder if MD comes !
Lets hope those with power use it wisely, such a beautiful world we have, would be a shame to turn it into Mars !
Trouble is old friend when you start shooting lots of people seem to die. Then you need people… Any old people… Get the idea?
It’s nothing to do with being outnumbered or having a weak specimen next to you. That’s ridiculous. At the end of the day if we go to war, as in a full scale peer on peer war, we will reintroduce conscription, because the armed forces will need mass.
The issues around conscription are about the structure and day to day running of the army and expeditionary operational readyness.
Good luck anyone relying on the average UK citizen then, you’ll need it.
Bore off you racist dinosaur.
Racism: Noun:
“prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group.”
The British are an Ethnic Group. Sorry, I don’t take well to people degrading my fellow countrymen, and will call out racist comments about them.
I specified ethnic group not race. Do try and bother to read.
Not shocked that you think people are shit, given the way you behave, I think I have a good idea of the attitude you get back.
(Hey funny how you have a low opinion of the Human race, but the comment I replied to was specifically a racist comment about the “citizens of the UK”… goalpost moving much?)
I can’t think of any advantages to bringing back National Service.
it appeals to some voters…I think that was the advantage.
It appeals to some voters who won’t have to be conscripted for sure.
I generally assume 18 years olds would not vote conservative…you get a few aberrations from the young farmers and landed classes….
My view is that if we are going to have some form of national service..then it’s only fair if everyone gets a go no matter the age…we can use retired “non volunteers” in lots of places…it’s something I would vote for if the only people excluded were…those in nursing homes, house bound or had done national service before 1963…what’s good enough for an 18 year old is good enough for the rest of the population….bet most people would not be so keen then…
I’d add exceptions for NHS, Police, Firefighters and Armed Forces Veterans, just conscript the grumpy old people who’ve never lifted a finger in public service 😀
That’s fair most people in those groups have given thousands of free hours to society over a career.
Personally as a 70+ I would volunteer to serve in any useful way if the shit hits the fan.
Hi. I’ve only just come across this site so please understand that I’m not a military expert.
As for national service, I completely agree it should be reinstated ASAP. My biggest concern is what kind of people would be enlisted! If you look closely at the ‘pool’ from which conscripts would be taken, the pickings look grim! Unfortunately the younger generation these days have rewritten the book on excuses as to why they should not comply with normality. I for one would not be happy to go to war with the knowledge that these guys/girls/or whatever they choose to be are behind me. Of course this idea is not a blanket view of all youngsters but it certainly goes for a huge number. And don’t forget those that can only fight in gangs against women and old folk, they’re really special.
Appologies for the what must seem a rant but I agree we need more forces, but entice the decent folks in and look after them I say?
‘In 2024, the number of MOD Civilian personnel in the UK increased to 55,280, up by 990 personnel from 2023.’ Now that is simply unacceptable!
The contractor day rates are eye watering – it’s a real gravy train. It’s why projects over run, longer projects bigger day rate payouts
Contractors wouldn’t be included in that number would they as they are not counted as personnel.
Why on earth has the MOD increased whilst the combat force as reduced, surely they should mirror each other.
Fixed term contractors will be. Day raters will be on top, yes you’re correct
Whilst recruitment is a huge problem it is retaining experienced people that is the major concern. Who wants to work for an organisation that offers poor pay, inadequate accommodation and expects those that remain to do the same workload with less people.
Without getting into a debate about more equipment, which we all like to do on here I would like to see firstly a decent pay rise for the lower ranks, better accommodation and a commitment to a modest increase in the size of the army, RAF, RN, RM and RFA.
The sums would be huge but putting an extra 5,000 to 10,000 back into uniform should be done before we start talking about new and more equipment.
There has been multiple cuts to the armed forces in the decade, it’s not just down to recruitment issues.
15% seems lower than I was expecting considering the planned cuts.
Can’t understate the perception of decline on morale. Continuous cuts to Squadrons, airframes and training takes its toll and leads to a permanent culture of cuts.
In my mind mind your pay, conditions and decent accommodation would be a good start. It would help with retention and recruitment. We also need to accept that there are some things we just can’t do anymore. The younger generations won’t put up with long deployments with dodgy end dates. They will and do just leave. The answer there is two fold, less commitments and larger manpower base to share the load.
Over here in Italy they give immigrants a house, do there shopping, give them a phone and a bike and they come in a thousand a day… Maybe the mod should start thinking 🤔🤔
Last time i went to Italy a gang of 4 migrants tried to liberate my possessions…physically and in person….I ended up having to undertake evasive manoeuvres ( running into a market and hiding in a crowed).
Makes a change, normally in Italy it’s the locals trying to liberate your possesions 😛
The locals are a bit more civilised with their liberation…less violent mugging more pickpocketing….
Thank god ‘concerns have been raised’ we can all sleep better at night now knowing basically we have no Armed Forces
Didn’t read this George sorry, makes me sad, just watched the flypast at the 1977 silver jubilee….. Memories of times long gone.. And lots of made in England.. Cin cin.
Brits should be proud to join up for their country as much as they are proud of their Football Team
Totally agree I tried and they didn’t bloody want me….
Also the Spithead Fleet Review of 1977 was very impressive show of might by the RN/RFA (even allowing for the participation of some foreign ships). It was telling that plans for another Fleet Review for the late Queen’s Gold Jubillee (2002) were scrapped as the Fleet was too small.
I am 45 years of age and grew up between God knows how many RAF stations in Norfolk, Suffolk area so can still remember howmany types of aircraft you could see in one day…..
Today we have just two operational Typhoon airbases in the whole of the country! RAF Coningsby, Lincs and RAF Lossiemouth, Morayshire. Just one F-35B base – RAF Marham, Norfolk.
Being ex-army, I once posted about the fact that in the whole of West and East Sussex, there is only one regular army unit.
I think most civvies who don’t really follow Defence matters might be surprised, or even shocked, at how small our forces have become.
I totally agree but I think most people out there are more interested in politically correct and getting rid of our history, God help us, and God bless all of you in dear old blighty… Keep flying the flag.
There isn’t much to attract young people these days apart from endless OP CABRIT.
I mean, that’s not true. Medal earning sure is rare, but OTX’s and non-medalled ops are dime a dozen.
Op CABRIT is just one BG and many posts are filled by non-Brits. As a percentage relatively few soldiers will go on an Op CABRIT.
The numbers are listed as “personnel”. Does this include office based, medics, and any other “none field” personnel or is it true “boots on the ground” or figures? If 72k is indeed fieldable troops then by the time you take out guys on the way leave, sick etc that isn’t good at all.! But let’s not forget, our government methodically reduced our capabilities back in the late 80’s so it’s not surprising to find ourselves playing catchup now. Of course the actual method of war has changed massively over the last 30+ years but the need for ground based assets is still huge.