I have today laid before the House the Ministry of Defence Votes A Estimate 2026/27 as HC1660. This outlines the maximum numbers of personnel to be maintained for each Service in the Armed Forces during Financial Year 2026/27, including increases for Reserve Naval and Marine Forces as well as the Army Regulars and Reserves. Full details can be found in the report.

As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025, we are making targeted interventions to improve recruitment and retention. The changes to Votes A maximum numbers accommodate planned growth and targeted recruitment and retention efforts to enable strength to grow. We need a dynamic blend of people with varying terms of service and commitment to provide the optimum mix of skills, experience, and strategic depth necessary.

These numbers do not constitute the Strength of the Armed Forces, which is published separately in the UK Armed Forces Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics.

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