§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the approximate number of personnel deployed with each of the units listed in Cm. 2270, page 22, table 3.
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 16 July 1993]: The exact number of personnel deployed at any time will depend upon the task being performed by, and the readiness state of, the unit in question. Approximate peacetime personnel establishments, which do not include the supporting and logistic units needed to sustain operational deployments, for the force elements listed are as follows: 361W
Force element Number of personnel Aircraft carriers 1680–1,200 Destroyers and Frigates 2163–260 Amphibious ships 354–540 Mine countermeasures vessels 230–42 Royal Fleet auxiliary vessels 240–116 RM Commandos 4530–660 Strategic deterrent submarines 2124–147 Nuclear-powered fleet submarines 2129–137 Army Air Corps regiments5 119–309 Armoured and reconnaissance regiments 465–470 Artillery regiments (regular)6 172–589 Artillery regiments (TA) 495–512 Engineer regiments (regular)7 39–488 Engineer regiments (TA) 17–743 Infantry battlions (regular) 193–806 Infantry regiments (TA/Royal Irish Home Service) 508–1,156 Reconnaissance regiments (TA) 357–470 Transport, tanker and SAR aircraft 82,630 Airborne early warning 8165 Canberra PR9 8103 Harrier 8416 Jaguar 8446 Nimrod R & MR 8551 Rapier fire units 8500 Tornado F3 8930 Tornado GR1 81,455 1 1,200 when the carrier's Air Group is embarked. 2 Numbers vary depending on class of vessel. 3 Excludes any embarked forces. 4 Includes Comacchio group. 5 Including sub-units in Northern Ireland. 6 Includes Kings Troop RHA. 7 Includes Military Survey, Military Works forces and Command Engineer Squadron. 8 Figures relate to squadron personnel for each aircraft fleet, but do not include Operational Conversion Unit/Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit personnel.