Armed forces

This paper provides details and links for ministerial statements and parliamentary debates (from both Houses of Parliament) that cover international affairs and defence.

In recent months the largely cordial relationship between the UK and China has deteriorated sharply. This has happened after over two decades when, regardless of the political complexion of successive UK governments, the trend was towards closer engagement and cooperation. This briefing looks at why and how this has happened.

On 26 February 2020, the Prime Minister set out the government’s approach to the Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign affairs. This paper provides links to a selection of news, analysis and comment on the upcoming Integrated Review.

Armed Forces Pension Scheme and preserved pensions

This note provides details on how UK military service personnel statistics are measured and discusses current and historic strength levels. The Army, Naval and RAF Services are examined, as well as the reserve elements of these services. Statistics on the diversity of the military, inflow and outflow rates, and surplus/deficits of strength against targets are discussed.

The Ministry of Defence published a review of the Service Police as part of a wider review of the Service Justice System. This Commons Library briefing paper discusses who the Service Police are, what they do, and the outcome of the review.

In a vote in July 2016 the House of Commons approved the decision to maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent beyond the early 2030s. After almost a decade of work on the project, that vote subsequently enabled the programme to move forward into its manufacturing phase, which will see the construction of four new Dreadnought class ballistic missile submarines over the next 15-20 years.

In February 2020 the Government confirmed the existence of a replacement warhead programme for its nuclear deterrent. A decision on replacement has been long-awaited, with work on possible options underway since 2006.

A number of initiatives to further the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy have been agreed, with the participation of the UK, since the Brexit referendum in 2016. What do they entail and what will be the impact for the UK now that it is no longer an EU Member State?

Armed forces personnel will receive a delayed pay award for a second year running. Here we look at how pay for the armed forces is agreed, the role of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body and the impact on retention.

This briefing paper details the support available to armed forces veterans in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The investigation of former British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during “The Troubles” is currently receiving a significant amount of media and parliamentary attention as a result of several ongoing court cases. It is, however, the result of a process which began over a decade ago.

The Government has announced up to 20,000 military personnel will be put on standby to support the public services as part of a new Covid Support Force. This Commons Library briefing paper looks at when the armed forces can be deployed in the UK and how this might apply during the Coronavirus pandemic.