Rifles
(asked on 29th May 2026) - View Source
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifles have been (a) lost and (b) stolen since 5 July 2024.
The security of small arms is taken very seriously within the MOD, and we have robust procedures in place to deter, detect and prevent loss and theft which are constantly reviewed.
Given the frequency and dynamic nature of military training, exercises and operations it is impossible to mitigate against all risk of loss. When losses of small arms are identified, a search will be conducted, and the loss is reported upwards. All losses and thefts of small arms are investigated, in partnership with Ministry of Defence Police, Service Police and Home Office Police Forces as appropriate.
The table below details MOD small arms lost, stolen and recovered from 2021-2026. This includes from military establishments, ranges, training areas and on operations.
Most of these figures have already been published by the MOD.
2026
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
Glock Pistol | 1 | Lost |
2025
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
C8 Rifle | 1 | Lost |
2024
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
C8 Rifle | 2 | Lost |
Deactivated Mauser Rifle | 1 | Stolen |
Deactivated AR15 Assault Rifle | 1 | Stolen |
Deactivated Self-Loading Rifle | 1 | Stolen |
Deactivated AKM Assault Rifle | 1 | Stolen |
Deactivated MAS 36 Bolt Action Rifle | 1 | Stolen |
Deactivated Lee Enfield L47A1 Rifle | 1 | Stolen |
Airsoft Glock 19 Pistol | 1 | Lost |
2023
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
Glock 19 Pistol | 1 | Stolen |
SA80[1] | 1 | Lost |
Deactivated WWI German Machine Gun[2] | 1 | Lost |
Deactivated WWII Sten Gun SMG | 1 | Lost |
Deactivated WWII Luger Pistol | 1 | Lost |
2022
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
Glock 43X Pistol | 1 | Lost |
GPMG | 1 | Lost |
Deactivated AK47 Rifle | 1 | Lost |
2021
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
SA80 Cadet PP Deactivated Rifles | 2 | Stolen |
GPMG | 1 | Lost |
Glock 17 Pistol | 1 | Lost |