I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Defence Forces, Army, Navy and Air Corps was 7650, 997 and 791 respectively, giving a total of 9438 on 31 December 2011, the latest date for which figures are available. The strength of the Army and Naval Service Reserves on the same date was 4995 and 225 respectively, giving a total of 5220. The strength of the Defence Forces, Army, Navy and Air Corps and the strength of the Reserve at 31 December in each of the years 2007-2011 is contained in the following tables:
Defence Forces, Army, Navy and Air Corps
Year
|
Army Strength
|
Naval Service Strength
|
Air Corps Strength
|
Total Strength
|
2007
|
8,512
|
1,077
|
845
|
10,434
|
2008
|
8,507
|
1,070
|
832
|
10,409
|
2009
|
8,070
|
1,031
|
805
|
9,906
|
2010
|
7,752
|
1,032
|
766
|
9,550
|
2011
|
7,650
|
997
|
791
|
9,438
|
Reserve
Year
|
Strength
|
2007
|
8,408
|
2008
|
7,671
|
2009
|
6,644
|
2010
|
6,083
|
2011
|
5,220
|
It is the Government's intention that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all of the assigned roles to them. It was against this backdrop, and having regard to restricted financial allocations, that the Government decided to maintain the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel. This recognises the significant modernisation that has been achieved to date.
In response to this revised strength ceiling of 9,500, there will be a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces encompassing a reduction in the number of Army Brigades from three to two. I have asked the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence to bring forward detailed proposals for my consideration.
Although Defence resourcing has further reduced for 2012, the allocation for paid training for the Reserve Defence Force in 2012 will be maintained at 2011 and 2010 levels. In addition to training for existing members of the Reserve, this will provide for training of approximately 400 new recruits to the Reserve Defence Force during 2012.