A section commander from A Company, 3 Para, briefs his section as they prepare to assault a US enemy position during Exercise Fly Trap in Lithuania — The latest MOD personnel figures show the UK Armed Forces grew over the past year, while remaining below their April 2023 strength (Picture: MOD)

Army

Armed Forces recruitment improving, but all three services smaller than three years ago

4th June 2026 at 1:14pm

More people joined the UK Regular Armed Forces than left over the past year, but official figures show all three services remain smaller than they were in 2023.

The UK Armed Forces grew by 1,510 personnel over the past year, according to the MOD.

Total strength – that's the number of military personnel employed by the Ministry of Defence – stood at 183,410 on 1 April 2026, up from 181,890 a year earlier.

The figures show improved recruitment and retention in the Regular Forces.

A total of 14,370 people joined the UK Regular Armed Forces in the 12 months to 31 March 2026, an increase of 920, or 7%, compared with the previous 12-month period.

Over the same period, 13,390 people left the UK Regular Armed Forces, down by 1,190, or 8%.

04062026 Intake to and outflow from the UK Regular Forces over rolling 12 month periods from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026 CREDIT MOD — Intake to and outflow from the UK Regular Forces over rolling 12-month periods from 1 April 2021 to 31 March (Picture: MOD)

But the longer-term trend still shows a smaller military, in terms of personnel, than in April 2023.

Total UK Forces personnel stood at 188,820 on 1 April 2023, compared with 183,410 on 1 April 2026.

All three services are smaller than they were three years ago.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines numbers fell from 38,770 personnel in April 2023 to 38,300 in April 2026.

The Army total fell from 113,440 to 109,480 over the same period, while in the RAF, fell from 36,610 to 35,630.

The Army recorded the largest fall, down by 3,960 personnel since April 2023. In the same period, the RAF was down by 980, while the Royal Navy and Royal Marines were down by 470.

As for being ready to fight, the number of fully trained full-time personnel has also fallen since 2023.

That MOD measure covers trained Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and RAF personnel, as well as Army soldiers who have completed trade training.

The number stood at 126,740 on 1 April 2026, down from 133,570 in April 2023.

The figures point to a better year for recruitment and retention however, while still showing that the trained full-time force remains 6,830 personnel below its April 2023 level.