Armed forces strength rises, but still below requirements
The latest quarterly manning figures show a rise in the number of trained armed forces personnel, but the forces are still understrength.
Thursday’s figures from the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) show that the full-time trained strength of the armed forces is up by 0.9 per cent from July 2003, but it is still 2.5 per cent understrength.
The total full-time trained strength now stands at 190,480, comprising of 184,770 UK Regular Forces, 2310 full-time reserve service personnel and 3400 Gurkhas. There are also 20,370 untrained UK regulars and 290 untrained Gurkhas.
The deficit is worse in the Army, which is officially 2600 under strength, whereas the Royal Navy is only 680 understrength.
The Army though does have a 610 surplus of officers.
Undermanning in the Army is considered particularly problematic considering its high level of commitment in conflict and peacekeeping zones around the world.
The proportion of women in the regular forces has risen slightly, with the number of female officers up 0.05 per cent to 10.6 per cent, though the percentage of non-officers remains static.
There is a similar slight increase for personnel from an ethnic minority background. The percentage of officers from an ethnic minority background stands at 2.5 per cent, though this is up from last year, it is the same level as in 2002. The number of ethnic minority personnel in the other ranks is up to 5.5 per cent from 4.7 per cent at the same time last year.
