British Army faces recruiting shortfalls under 2020 plans
The British Army is facing a gap in manpower in both regular and reserve forces if current recruiting practices are continued, the National Audit Office (NAO) claims.
In its report on the Army 2020 plans, released on 11 June, the NAO has estimated that there are 3,184 regular army training places unfulfilled for 2013-14 and that Capita, which was hired to recruit reserves, has managed to fill only 1,975 places out of a requirement for 6,000.
Army 2020 plans call for a total force of 30,000 reservists that will supplement a reduced regular force of 82,500 personnel by 2018-19,
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
DSEI 2025: First mobility trials completed for British Army Challenger 3 tanks
The mobility trials saw the Challenger 3 main battle tank (MBT) tested at a variety of locations in the UK, covering a combined 760km across a variety of terrains including road and cross country.
-
DSEI 2025: Still no order from British Army or Germany for RCH-155 Boxers
The first customer for the RCH-155 artillery system on the Boxer platform is Ukraine, which has already started to take delivery of the first of 54 systems from KNDS Deutschland. There is still no contract from Germany or the UK, while Hanwha continues to say it can supply its K9 system at short notice.
-
DSEI 2025: Cambridge Aerospace Skyhammer and Starhammer interceptors make debut
The startup’s solutions have officially emerged from cover since the company’s inception in 2024, with its two interceptors offered as cost-effective air defence solutions to counter cruise missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles.
-
DSEI 2025: Belgium will be fourth user of 40mm 40CT cannon
The cannon is currently used by the French Army, French Navy and British Army. It has an elevation of +85° with a cyclic rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute.
-
DSEI 2025: Cockerill’s new weapon station nears end of development
The Cockerill Compact Light Weapon Station (CLWS) could be fitted to older platforms to enhance their capability or to new platforms such as the Patria 6×6 which is being adopted by an increasing number of countries.