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UK Armed Forces Medically Deployable Figures Revealed
Recent statistics from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) indicate that over 10,000 armed forces personnel are classified as “not medically deployable.” This information was disclosed by Defence Minister Alistair Carns in response to a parliamentary inquiry.
According to the figures, there are approximately 99,560 military members deemed fully medically deployable, while 14,350 possess limited deployability and 13,522 are medically unable to deploy. A breakdown of these statistics shows that the Royal Navy has 2,922 members who are medically undeployable, the Army has 6,879, and the Royal Air Force accounts for 3,721.
An MoD spokesperson emphasized the readiness of service personnel, stating, “The vast majority of our service personnel – around 90% – are deployable at any point, with most of the remaining members of our armed forces employed in wider military roles.” The MoD also asserted its commitment to delivering top-tier medical treatment, aiming to help personnel return to active duty or assist them in transitioning to civilian life when necessary.
Members of the armed forces experiencing medical issues or fitness challenges that hinder their operational capabilities are typically referred to a medical board. This board conducts examinations and reviews each individual’s medical grading. Personnel may receive temporary or permanent downgrades to accommodate treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation, affecting their deployability status. It’s important to note that “deployable” refers specifically to an individual’s readiness for operations, and certain medical conditions may limit the types of missions or locations they can be assigned to.
Data from April 2024 further reveals that the Army has fallen short of its target size for the first time since its establishment, with all three service branches currently under their target numbers. The Army is operating at 1% below its goal, while the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are 5% under, and the RAF is 10% below target. Overall, the UK Army has a shortfall of 5,440 personnel, which equates to 1% less than intended.
There has been growing speculation regarding the potential for the UK to send troops to Ukraine, particularly in light of discussions between UK political leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Recently, Defence Secretary John Healey characterized the current situation in Ukraine as a “critical period” and assured that the UK would be “stepping up” its support efforts.
On a financial note, the Army’s funding has experienced a notable decline of £500 million in real terms over the past five years. The MoD’s anticipated expenditure on personnel for 2024-25 is projected to be around £11.66 billion, reflecting an approximately 4% reduction when adjusted for inflation.
In recent remarks, the Prime Minister pledged to bolster the defence budget by £2.9 billion for the upcoming year. An MoD representative stated, “The vast majority of this spending was under the previous government and, as the figures show, spending is due to increase next financial year.”
“Moreover, the budget has increased defence spending by £2.9 billion for next year, and we are committed to charting a course toward 2.5% of GDP allocated for defence in the spring,” the spokesperson added. They further recognized the significant sacrifices made by service personnel, affirming the government’s commitment to enhancing support for those who serve, including substantial pay rises and investments in military housing while offering retention bonuses for critical skills within the armed forces.
Source
www.theguardian.com