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Ammunition: Lost Property and Theft

Original answer

The security of ammunition is taken very seriously within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and we have robust procedures in place to deter, detect and prevent loss and theft. All losses and thefts are fully and rigorously investigated.

No ammunition has been reported stolen during that period.

The below table details 5.56mm, 7.62mm, 9mm, 4.6mm, 12.7mm and .22 inch ammunition lost from MOD Facilities from 5 July 2024 until 28 February 2025. This includes military establishments, ranges, training areas and on operations.

Of the 203 7.62mm ammunition rounds detailed in the table, 200 were lost overboard in the Solent from a Navy vessel

The answer was corrected by Luke Pollard (Labour)

on Friday, 21 March 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Corrected answer

The security of ammunition is taken very seriously within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and we have robust procedures in place to deter, detect and prevent loss and theft. All losses and thefts are fully and rigorously investigated.

No ammunition has been reported stolen during that period.

The below table details 5.56mm, 7.62mm, 9mm, 4.6mm, 12.7mm and .22 inch ammunition lost from MOD Facilities from 5 July 2024 until 28 February 2025. This includes military establishments, ranges, training areas and on operations.

Of the 203 7.62mm ammunition rounds detailed in the table, 200 were lost overboard in the Solent from a Navy vessel

Ammunition	Lost since 5 Jul 2024 – 28 Feb 25
5.56mm	33
7.62mm	203
9mm	18 (15 subsequently found)
4.6mm	0
12.7mm	0
.22 inch	0

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

37596

Session

2024-26

Related items

Ammunition: Lost Property
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
Written questions
House of Commons

Ammunition: Lost Property and Theft
Thursday, 1 May 2025
Written questions
House of Commons

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

Ammunition Lost property Theft Rifles

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk