The Secretary of State for Defence was asked in Parliament for a breakdown of the members of the British army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The detailed reply shows some significant changes:
Royal Navy/Royal Marines
Year
Total, all ranks
2010
38,730
2011
37,660
2012
35,540
2013
33,960
2014
33,330
Army
Year
Total, all ranks
2010
108,920
2011
106,240
2012
104,250
2013
99,730
2014
91,070
Royal Air Force
Year
Total, all ranks
2010
44,050
2011
42,460
2012
40,000
2013
37,030
2014
35,230
This may be the only part of British government spending that would actually meet the definition of “austerity”. For reference, the Canadian Armed Forces have about 43,500 regulars across the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force.
