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Ammunition: Theft

Answer

The security of ammunition is taken very seriously within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and we have robust procedures in place to deter and prevent loss and theft.

Given the frequency and dynamic nature of military training, exercises and operations it is very difficult to mitigate against all risk of loss. When losses of ammunition are identified, a search will be conducted, and the loss is reported upwards. All losses and thefts of ammunition are investigated, in partnership with Ministry of Defence Police, Service Police and Home Office Police Forces as appropriate.

The below table details ammunition lost and stolen from MOD Facilities from 2017-2023. This includes military establishments, ranges, training areas and on operations. It has not been possible to validate data prior to 2017 without incuring disproportionate cost.

Year	Ammunition: Type	Quantity	Lost/Stolen
2023	5.56mm	90	Lost
	7.62mm	145	Lost
	9mm	47	Lost
2022	5.56mm	167	Lost
	7.62mm	625	Lost
	9.mm	40	Lost
	4.6mm	13	Lost
	12.7mm	1	Lost
2021	5.56mm	884	Lost
	7.62mm	99	Lost
	9mm	117	Lost
2020	5.56mm	2421	Lost
	7.62mm	1031	Lost
	9mm	76	Lost
	4.6mm	2	Lost
	.22	19	Lost
2019	5.56mm	285	Lost
	7.62mm	1703	Lost
	9mm	76	Lost
	4.6mm	42	Lost
	12.7mm	10	Lost
	.22	1000	Stolen
2018	5.56mm	5	Lost
	9mm	17	Lost
	4.6mm	20	Lost
2017	5.56mm	247	Lost
	5.56mm	1	Stolen
	7.62mm	1	Lost
	4.6mm	21	Lost

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

10875

Session

2023-24

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

Ammunition Theft

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk