Welcome to the 2008 edition of UK Defence Statistics, the annual statistical compendium published by the Ministry of Defence.

The main change this year is the introduction of a new chapter on Health statistics, including tables on deaths and suicides in the Armed Forces, operational casualties, and health and safety statistics. There is also a new table in Chapter 1 regarding MOD payments on Private Finance Initiative ( PFI ) projects and major equipment projects; and new tables in Chapter 2 that show the strength of UK regular forces by religion, ethnicity and nationality. After consultation, statistics on aircraft air accidents, casualties and flying hours have been ceased, and the chapter which formerly covered this has been removed accordingly.

Although UK Defence Statistics is a National Statistics publication, some of the constituent tables do not constitute National Statistics. These tables have been included because they nevertheless provide useful contextual or indicative data. There are three groups of tables involved: those provided by organisations other than the UK Government, such as NATO; those from official sources that do not meet all the quality standards for National Statistics; and those which have not yet fulfilled the criteria required to be approved by the UK Statistics Authority for assignation as a National Statistic . The tables concerned are clearly marked and have further explanatory notes where necessary.

The first edition of UKDS 2008 is issued as a web document only. The second edition will be issued later in 2008 and will form the basis of the printed book, factsheet and Defence Pocket Cards. The second edition will include updated information for a table in Chapter 1 where data were unavailable at the time of first edition publication.

DASA also publishes a number of monthly and quarterly statistical bulletins; these are available on our web site or from the DASA contact points listed here. These contact points may also be used for any feedback that you may have.

DASA has recently undertaken a major review of all Armed Forces personnel data from the Joint Personnel Administration system. This has resulted in changes to strengths, intake and outflow data affecting the following periods:

• Naval Service - flow statistics from the period ending 31 October 2006 to the period ending 31 March 2009 and strength statistics from 1 May 2007 to 1 April 2009 (inclusive)
• Army - flow statistics from the period ending 31 March 2007 to the period ending 31 March 2009 and strength statistics from 1 April 2007 to 1 April 2009 (inclusive)
• Royal Air Force - flow statistics from the period ending 31 March 2007 to the period ending 31 March 2009 and strength statistics from 1 April 2006 to 1 April 2009 (inclusive)

Changes to headline strengths by Service range from fewer than 10 to approximately 270. Changes to annual intake figures range from approx 40 to approx 250, and changes to annual outflow range from fewer than 10 to around 200.

Any DASA reports published on or after 28 September 2011 containing data for the above period(s) will not match the figures reported in this publication. There are currently no plans to republish this publication to include the finalised data.

DASA is continuing to review JPA data post April 2009, however until this work is completed, data subsequent to April 2009, including flows for 2009/10, are current and remain provisional and subject to review

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