Armed Forces: Firearms
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2026, to question 5081 on Armed Forces: Firearms, how many a) lost and b) stolen UK military firearms have been recovered between 2000 and 2021, by year and weapon type.
Answered by Luke Pollard
The security of small arms is taken very seriously within MOD, and we have robust procedures in place to deter, detect and prevent loss and theft which are constantly reviewed. All losses and thefts of small arms are fully and rigorously investigated.
Given the frequency and dynamic nature of military training, exercises and operations it is impossible to mitigate against all risk of loss. When losses of small arms are identified, a search will be conducted, and the loss is reported upwards. All losses and thefts of small arms are investigated, in partnership with Ministry of Defence Police, Service Police and Home Office Police Forces as appropriate.
Further to my answer of 17 June 2026, the table below details MOD small arms lost, stolen and recovered from 2015-2021. This includes from military establishments, ranges, training areas and on operations. Unfortunately, the full data for the years from 2000 – 2014 is not held centrally and therefore cannot be checked for accuracy without incurring disproportionate costs.
2021
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
SA80 Cadet PP Deactivated Rifles | 2 | Stolen |
GPMG | 1 | Lost |
Glock 17 Pistol | 1 | Lost |
2020
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
Deactivated Training Pistol | 1 | Lost |
Deactivated Display Purpose RPG-7 | 1 | Lost |
Airsoft Glock 17 Pistol | 1 | Lost |
2019
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
General Purpose Machine Gun[1] | 1 | Lost |
4 x SA80 Rifle (Drill Purpose) [2] | 4 | Stolen |
4 x L1441 Cadet Target Rifle | 4 | Stolen |
Deactivated Training Glock 17 Pistol[3] | 1 | Lost |
4 x WW1 era Rifles | 4 | Stolen |
2018
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
SA80 L85A2 Rifle | 1 | Lost |
Pistol Signal Flare | 1 | Stolen |
SA80 L85A2 Rifle | 1 | Lost |
.303 Lee Enfield Rifle | 2 | Stolen |
2017
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
SA80 L85A2 Rifle | 1 | Lost |
Glock 17 Pistol | 1 | Stolen |
SA80 Rifle | 2 | Lost |
2016
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
.22 Biathlon Rifle | 1 | Lost |
SA80 L85A2 Rifle[4] | 1 | Stolen |
Glock 17 Pistol | 1 | Lost |
H&K MP5 Sub Machine Gun | 1 | Lost |
.22 Anschutz Biathlon Rifle | 3 | Stolen |
.22 Bolt Action Biathlon Rifle | 4 | Stolen |
SA80 L85A2 Rifle | 1 | Lost |
H&K MP7 Carbine | 1 | Lost |
LMG | 1 | Lost |
2015
Weapons: Type | Quantity | Lost/Stolen |
AK47 Rifle | 1 | Stolen |
[1] Weapon was subsequently recovered.
[2] All of the weapons were subsequently recovered.
[3] Weapon was subsequently found.
[4] Weapon was subsequently recovered.
Replica ‘Baker’ Rifle | 1 | Stolen |
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