Nation

United Kingdom

Defence ministry: Ministry of Defence (on government.ginc.org). Services: British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, National Cyber Force.

United Kingdom on government.ginc.org · companies.ginc.org (when it opens)

Active personnel, published
137,970
World Bank armed forces total: 153,000 (2020)
Reserves, published
32,030
Whole security apparatus, published
169,289
Headcount published for 30 per cent of services, agencies and formations
Active platforms
6,378
Land 5,122 · Air 1,162 · Sea 83 · Cyber and C4ISR 11
Median year in service
1988
Interquartile 1969–1998, weighted by count
Domestic share
64 per cent
Of active platforms with a known origin
Supplier concentration
0.42
Herfindahl index of origin across 13 supplier nations
Nuclear warheads
225
120 deployed. SIPRI Yearbook 2025 estimate

Force fingerprint

The national security structure sized by active headcount, always from the head of state: row 1 the head of state and government, row 2 the governing bodies (grey, each as wide as the forces beneath it), row 3 the services and agencies coloured by security domain, row 4 the major commands, row 5 the major formations. A hatched segment is a body whose headcount is not published.

  • Land
  • Sea
  • Air
  • Space
  • Cyber
  • Strategic
  • Intelligence
  • Internal security
  • Joint
  • Headcount not published

SVG · PNG

Order of battle

The whole national security structure from the head of state down to major formations. Bars are as wide as their headcount; the state and government bodies are drawn grey, as the government directory has them. Click a bar to zoom into it.

Known unknowns

  • SIS, MI5 and GCHQ publish approximate staff numbers through the Intelligence and Security Committee but not the size of their directorates.
  • The National Cyber Force and UK Special Forces do not publish headcount.
  • Cyber and Specialist Operations Command and its subordinate organisations do not publish a consolidated headcount.

Equipment fingerprint

Holdings by taxonomy: row 1 the ministry and its services, row 2 the six domains, row 3 the categories, row 4 each platform held as wide as its count, row 5 its split into active, reserve and on order. A hatched segment is a platform held with no published count.

Holdings

One row per platform held. Each figure is a claim with a source: the most recent official figure where one is published, else the most recent Wikipedia equipment list, else SIPRI's delivered total. Figures are never averaged.

103 of 103 platforms
ReserveOn orderFigure from
Land · Main battle tank
Challenger 2British ArmyMain battle tank285United Kingdom1998UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Land · Infantry fighting vehicle
FV510 WarriorBritish ArmyInfantry fighting vehicle526United Kingdom1988UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
AjaxBritish ArmyInfantry fighting vehicle185United KingdomUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
BoxerBritish ArmyInfantry fighting vehicle28Germany2011UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Land · Armoured personnel carrier
FV430 seriesBritish ArmyArmoured personnel carrier723United KingdomUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
JackalBritish ArmyArmoured personnel carrier72353United KingdomUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
CougarBritish ArmyArmoured personnel carrier539United StatesUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
OcelotBritish ArmyArmoured personnel carrier389United KingdomUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Iveco LMVArmoured personnel carrier377ItalyUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Bandvagn 206Armoured personnel carrier185SwedenUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Alvis StormerArmoured personnel carrier53United KingdomUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
MambaArmoured personnel carrier14South AfricaSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
TPz FuchsBritish ArmyArmoured personnel carrier8GermanyUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
M113Armoured personnel carrierheldUnited States1960SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
RWMIK Land RoverBritish ArmyArmoured personnel carrierheldUnited KingdomWikipedia: List of equipment of the British Armylow
Land · Reconnaissance and light armour
BvS 10Reconnaissance and light armour7355United KingdomUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Land · Self-propelled artillery
ArcherBritish ArmySelf-propelled artillery14Sweden2016UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
AS-90Self-propelled artillery–United Kingdom
Land · Towed artillery
L118British ArmyTowed artillery126United Kingdom1975UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Land · Rocket artillery and MLRS
M270 Multiple Launch Rocket SystemBritish ArmyRocket artillery and MLRS26United States1983UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Land · Mortars (120 mm+)
L16British ArmyMortars (120 mm+)470United Kingdom1965Wikipedia: List of equipment of the British Army
Land · Anti-tank missile system
FGM-148 JavelinBritish ArmyAnti-tank missile systemheldUnited States1996SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
MBT LAWBritish ArmyAnti-tank missile systemheldSweden2007Wikipedia: List of equipment of the British Armylow
SpikeBritish ArmyAnti-tank missile systemheldIsrael1997Wikipedia: List of equipment of the British Armylow
Land · Ground-based air defence (short range)
StarstreakBritish ArmyGround-based air defence (short range)53United Kingdom1997Wikipedia: List of equipment of the British Army
Land · Engineering and bridging
Heavy Equipment Transport SystemBritish ArmyEngineering and bridging161United States1941Wikipedia: List of equipment of the British Army
Challenger Armored Repair and Recovery VehicleBritish ArmyEngineering and bridging72United KingdomUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
TerrierBritish ArmyEngineering and bridging60United KingdomUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Trojan Armoured Vehicle Royal EngineersBritish ArmyEngineering and bridging32United Kingdom2007UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Sea · Aircraft carrier
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrierAircraft carrier2United Kingdom2017UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Sea · Amphibious assault ship
M3 Amphibious RigBritish ArmyAmphibious assault ship27Germany1999UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Bay-class landing shipAmphibious assault ship3United Kingdom2006UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Albion-class landing platform dockAmphibious assault ship–United Kingdom2003
Sea · Destroyer
Type 45 guided missile destroyerDestroyer6United Kingdom2009UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Sea · Frigate
Type 23 frigateFrigate7United Kingdom1987UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Sea · Fast attack and patrol craft
River-class patrol vesselFast attack and patrol craft8United Kingdom2003UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Sea · Nuclear-powered submarine
Astute-class submarineHMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful, HMS Audacious, HMS Anson, HMS AgamemnonNuclear-powered submarine6United Kingdom2010Wikipedia: List of active Royal Navy ships
Vanguard-class submarineHMS Vanguard, HMS Victorious, HMS Vigilant, HMS VengeanceNuclear-powered submarine4United Kingdom1993UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Sea · Replenishment and auxiliary
Sea-class workboatHMS Magpie, 34 vessels: * 8 x 15 m Officer Training Units; * 6 x 15 m Diver Training/Support Boats; * 4 x 15 m Survey/hydrographic Modules; * 3 x 13.8 m Passenger Transfer Boats (PTBs); * 10 x 11 m Standard Workboats; * 3 x 11 m Small Survey Modules, RNMB Hussar, RNMB Hazard, RNMB Hellcat, RNMB Halcyon and 3 moreReplenishment and auxiliary9Unknown2018Wikipedia: List of active Royal Navy ships
Tide-class tankerReplenishment and auxiliary4United KingdomUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
HMS Protector (A173)Replenishment and auxiliary1Norway2001UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
HMS Queen ElizabethSea Harrier Buccaneer Sea Vixen SwordfishReplenishment and auxiliary1United Kingdom2020Wikipedia: List of active Royal Navy ships
HMS Stirling Castle (M01)Replenishment and auxiliary1Unknown2013UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Hunt-class mine countermeasures vesselBreconReplenishment and auxiliary1United Kingdom1978Wikipedia: List of active Royal Navy ships
RFA Fort VictoriaReplenishment and auxiliary1United Kingdom1993UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
RFA ProteusReplenishment and auxiliary1Unknown2019UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Sandown-class minehunterHindostan (ex- Cromer )Replenishment and auxiliary1United Kingdom1989Wikipedia: List of active Royal Navy ships
RFA ArgusReplenishment and auxiliary0Unknown1981UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Air · Fighter and multirole
Eurofighter TyphoonFighter and multirole111Germany2003UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIFighter and multirole47United States2015UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Supermarine SpitfireFighter and multirole5United Kingdom1938Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
HunterFighter and multirole3United Kingdom1956Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Hawker HurricaneFighter and multirole2United Kingdom1937Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Air · Strike and bomber
MQ-9 ReaperStrike and bomber9United States2007UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Avro LancasterStrike and bomber1United Kingdom1942Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Air · Attack helicopter
Hughes AH-64 ApacheBritish ArmyAttack helicopter38United States1984UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Air · Tanker
Airbus A400M AtlasTanker22Germany2013UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Airbus A330 MRTTTanker14France2011UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Air · Airborne early warning and control
Boeing E-7 WedgetailAirborne early warning and control0United States2012Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Air · Maritime patrol
Boeing P-8 PoseidonMaritime patrol9United States2013UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Air · ISR and electronic warfare aircraft
RC-135ISR and electronic warfare aircraft3United States1965UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Diamond DA42ISR and electronic warfare aircraft2Austria2004SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Air · Trainer
Embraer EMB 312 TucanoTrainer130Brazil1983SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Grob G 115Trainer91Germany1988UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Grob G 103 Twin AstirTrainer54GermanyUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Grob G 103 Twin IITrainer52Germany1990Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
BAE Systems HawkTrainer46United Kingdom1976UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
EC135Trainer29Germany1996UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Grob G 120TPTrainer23Germany2018UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
T-6 Texan IITrainer14United States2000UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Alpha JetTrainer10France1977SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
de Havilland Canada DHC-1 ChipmunkTrainer2Canada1946Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Air · Transport aircraft
C-130J Super HerculesTransport aircraft25United States1999SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIITransport aircraft8United States1995UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Beechcraft 200 Super King AirTransport aircraft7United States2009UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Phenom 100Transport aircraft5Brazil2018UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Dassault Falcon 900Transport aircraft2France2022UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Douglas C-47Transport aircraft1United States1942Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Air · Transport and utility helicopter
Aérospatiale SA 330 PumaTransport and utility helicopter55France1969SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
AW159 WildcatBritish ArmyTransport and utility helicopter47United Kingdom2014UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
AgustaWestland AW101Transport and utility helicopter44Italy2000UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Boeing CH-47 ChinookTransport and utility helicopter36United States1962UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Boeing Chinook (UK variants)Transport and utility helicopter36United States1980Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Bell 412Transport and utility helicopter15United States1981SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Airbus Helicopters H145Transport and utility helicopter7Germany2002UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
AS355 Écureuil 2Transport and utility helicopter3FranceSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Eurocopter AS350 ÉcureuilTransport and utility helicopter3France1977Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
S-70Transport and utility helicopter3United StatesSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Ka-32Transport and utility helicopter2RussiaSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Mil Mi-17Transport and utility helicopter2Soviet Union1977SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
WS-61 Sea KingTransport and utility helicopter2United Kingdom1969Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
AgustaWestland AW109Transport and utility helicopter1Italy1976Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
AgustaWestland AW149Transport and utility helicopter0Italy2030Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Dauphin 2British ArmyTransport and utility helicopter–France1989
Air · ISR UAV
AeroVironment RQ-20 PumaISR UAV90United States2007UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
AeroVironment Wasp IIIISR UAV36United StatesUK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Watchkeeper WK450British ArmyISR UAV13United Kingdom2014UK armed forces equipment and formations 2026 (Ministry of Defence (Defence Statistics))
Schiebel Camcopter S-100ISR UAV2Austria2024Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Airbus ZephyrISR UAV0United Kingdom2017Wikipedia: List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Air · Loitering munition
AeroVironment SwitchbladeBritish ArmyLoitering munitionheldUnited States2012Wikipedia: List of equipment of the British Armylow
Strategic · Submarine-launched ballistic missile
UGM-133 Trident IISubmarine-launched ballistic missileheldUnited States1990SIPRI Yearbook 2025: World nuclear forces (January 2025)
Cyber and C4ISR · Long-range radar
GIRAFFE RadarBritish ArmyLong-range radar6Sweden1977Wikipedia: List of equipment of the British Army
ARTHURBritish ArmyLong-range radar5SwedenWikipedia: List of equipment of the British Army

Suppliers

Origin nations by share of active platforms, the domestic bar first. Colours follow the origin highlight: domestic, allied or treaty partner, other foreign.

United Kingdom

United States

Germany

Italy

Sweden

Brazil

France

South Africa

Austria

Canada

Russia

Soviet Union

Norway

3,933

1,103

452

422

210

135

87

14

4

2

2

2

1

Sources for this nation

  • official:gbr
  • sipri-at
  • sipri-yb-2025
  • wikipedia:list-of-active-royal-navy-ships
  • wikipedia:list-of-active-united-kingdom-military-aircraft
  • wikipedia:list-of-equipment-of-the-british-army

Structure: ref/units/GBR.yaml, every body with the source that acknowledges it. See sources and methodology.