Northern Ireland General Election 2024: UUP's Steve Aiken expresses concern army personnel less than half of Cold War
A former submarine commander and UUP leader has expressed serious concern that the British Army has now less than half the personnel it had at the end of the Cold War - and that almost all its Navy combat vessels are apparently not fit for deployment.
UUP MLA Steve Aiken OBE was responding to the UK Defence Journal tweeting that the British Army has now fallen to 73,000 personnel.
The journal said that this was "a reduction of over half since the end of the Cold War". It stated that the total strength of UK Forces service personnel stands at 183,230, marking a decrease of 5,590 personnel, or 3%, from 1 April 2023.
The Army’s full-time trade trained strength has declined by 3.1%, dropping from 74,830 to 72,510 personnel, it said. The total strength, including reserves and other personnel, now stands at 110,300, a decrease of 2.8% since April 2023.
The journal concluded: "The report underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the UK’s Armed Forces in maintaining their personnel numbers. The reduction in personnel across all branches, especially the Army, raises questions about the UK’s ability to meet its current and future obligations, including those related to NATO."
Joining the Royal Navy in 1980, Mr Aiken commanded a nuclear-powered submarine and also served on nuclear-armed vessels, before retiring in 2011.
He was made an OBE and awarded the US Meritorious Service Medal for his service in the Middle East around the time of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
He responded that the army staff figures were "not good" and that the new government elected this week must take urgent action.
He said: "Come 5 July the first duty of the government is to defend us. A British Army of this size is an indictment of failed defence policy and thinking ."
Mr Aiken also responded with concern to a tweeted spreadsheet which appeared to show that only four out of 24 Royal Navy combat vessels are fit for deployment.
Again he urged: "Come 5 July our government needs to reprioritise our nation's defence. The longer they wait, the bigger challenge we all will have in this very unsettled world."