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Armed Forces: Firearms

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 7 July 2026UIN 14033

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2026, to question 11277 on Armed Forces: Firearms, can he confirm whether the C8 rifles were lost on overseas operations.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The security of small arms 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 which are constantly reviewed. All losses and thefts of small arms are fully and rigorously investigated.

While there may be a public interest in the MOD disclosing the circumstances which led to the loss of these firearms, doing so would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness of our security arrangements, or security of the Armed Forces. For these reasons it would not be appropriate to disclose this information.

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