Armed Forces: Foreign Nationals

(asked on 15th January 2019) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Commonwealth citizens have joined the British armed forces in each of the last 10 years.


This question was answered on 21st January 2019

The numbers of Irish and Commonwealth citizens who have joined the Regular Armed Forces in the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2018 is provided below.

Financial Year

Irish Regular Personnel

Commonwealth Regular Personnel

2008-09

40

1,470

2009-10

80

970

2010-11

80

450

2011-12

100

680

2012-13

110

720

2013-14

60

440

2014-15

100

120

2015-16

110

90

2016-17

80

320

2017-18

60

480

Total

840

5,740

Notes:

  • UK Regulars comprises Full-time Service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service, Locally Employed Personnel and Non-Regular Permanent Staff
  • Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Figures ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest 20 to avoid systemic bias

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