Latest Manning Figures Released

The UK’s Armed Forces are currently at 99.7% of their full time Trained Strength requirement, according to figures released today by the MoD, up from the previous year’s 97.9%.

As at 1 October 2010, the full time Trained Strength of the UK Armed Forces was approximately 178,470 against a target of 179,000. This comprises 174,080 UK Regular Forces, 690 Full Time Reserve Service personnel and 3,700 Gurkhas.

Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan welcomed the fact that Britain’s Armed Forces were now almost fully manned for the first time in some years, but accepted that some changes are on the way.

“The Strategic Defence and Security Review made clear that there would need to be changes in the structure of Armed Forces Personnel,” he said. “At the moment, we are determining how these changes will impact on our Armed Forces to ensure that the Army, Navy and Air Force are best equipped to face current and future challenges.

“What we do know is that our Armed Forces are, and will remain, some of the best in the world and we will continue to recruit those who want to be the best,” he added.

Since 1 October 2009, the proportion of females in the UK Regular Forces has remained static at 12.1%t for officers and risen from 9% to 9.1% for other ranks. The proportion of UK Regular Forces from ethnic minority backgrounds has remained static at 6.6%.

More: www.mod.uk