Data reveals over 13,000 members of the UK's armed forces are medically ineligible for deployment, highlighting a significant challenge for the military's readiness. The figures show a growing number of personnel with conditions such as heart problems, back problems, hearing and vision impairments, and food allergies preventing them from serving in combat roles.
Data released by Veterans Minister Al Carns shows 13,522 menbers of the armed forces are unable to fight as they are medically not deployable More than 13,000 soldiers, sailors and air crew aren’t fit to go to war as they are “not medically deployable”, figures from the Ministry of Defence have shown.is the smallest it has been in 200 years, with the MoD loosening recruitment criteria in a bid to boost numbers.To join the army, applicants need to be physically fit and aged between 16 and 36.
Dual British nationals who are not required to complete national service or a British national living abroad can also apply. Limited deployability means deployment is limited owing to a medical condition, exposure to extreme weather or the need to avoid noise or chemicals,Across the various branches of the armed forces, 99,560 are medically fully deployable, according to figures suppled by Mr Carns.
Some personnel may have medical limitations which restrict the type or location of operation they can be deployed on. “But if war was to come, then they would be absolutely able to go and fight, because the needs of the nation would rather trump that rather discretionary take on their medical capacity.”MoD statistics from April 2024 showed the Army fell below its target size for the first time since it was set, meaning all three service branches are below target.
Mr Carns has warned that the entire British Army would be killed or wounded within six months to a year if it went to war with Russia.revealed that the Ministry of Defence would allow recruits with ADHD, autism and chronic fatigue to join the armed forces.
Military Personnel Medical Fitness UK Armed Forces Recruitment Crisis Deployment
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
One in Five Armed Forces Personnel Unfit for CombatThe Ministry of Defence has revealed that nearly a fifth of the UK's armed forces are medically unfit to serve in combat.
Read more »
One-Fifth of British Armed Forces Medically Unfit for WarThe Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed that 1 in 5 of Britain's Armed Forces personnel are not fully medically fit for combat, raising concerns about the country's military readiness.
Read more »
One fifth of British armed forces 'unfit to fight', Ministry of Defence admitsNearly a fifth of the armed forces are unfit to fight without any restrictions, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Read more »
One-Fifth of Britain's Armed Forces Medically Unfit for WarThe Ministry of Defence has revealed that a significant portion of Britain's Armed Forces are not medically fit for combat deployment.
Read more »
Who can join Britain's armed forces as MoD reveals one fifth unfit to fightMore than 13,000 military personnel aren't fit to go to war as they are 'not medically deployable'
Read more »
Mortuary 'unfit for future use' to be replaced by retail spacesA new mortuary has been approved for Oldham Central Mosque
Read more »