About us

What we do

We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.

Responsibilities

We have 7 military tasks:

defending the UK and its overseas territories
providing strategic intelligence
providing nuclear deterrence
supporting civil emergency organisations in times of crisis
defending our interests by projecting power strategically and through expeditionary interventions
providing a defence contribution to UK influence
providing security for stabilisation

Priorities

Our priorities 2015 to 2020 are to:

protect our people
project our global influence
promote our prosperity
maintain a strategic base and integrated global support network, and manage the Department of State

Read our Single Departmental Plan to find out more about how we are performing against our objectives.

Who we are

The Ministry of Defence has permanent and casual civilian personnel, including Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, Trading Funds and locally engaged civilians .

The UK Regular Forces comprise full time trained and untrained personnel in the:

Royal Navy
Army
Royal Air Force

Full personnel information can be found in the following publications:

Use of images

You may use images on this website when reporting current news only. See the MOD News licence

Our blogs

Follow Defencenews, the official news blog of the MOD, for key headlines in the mainstream media about defence matters, our perspective on key stories and listing of upcoming events.

Online security

Online resources for serving and ex-serving defence personnel, their families and friends for safe and responsible use of social media. Personal Security Online

Corporate information

Access our information

Jobs and contracts

Read about the types of information we routinely publish in our Publication scheme. Find out about our commitment to publishing in the Welsh language scheme. Our Personal information charter explains how we treat your personal information. Read our policy on Social media use.

Corporate reports

Service Inquiry into death of a Royal Marine during an endurance march on Dartmoor Training Area on 28 May 2015
17 March 2016
Iraq Historic Allegations Team quarterly updates
2 March 2016
MOD: single departmental plan 2015 to 2020
24 February 2016
Ministry of Defence Votes A 2015 to 2016: supplementary votes
10 February 2016
Ministry of Defence Votes A: 2016 to 2017
10 February 2016
Sustainable MOD strategy 2015 to 2025
8 February 2016
Armed forces covenant annual report 2015
12 January 2016
Defence Reform annual report 2015
11 January 2016
Defence Equipment & Support annual report and accounts 2014 to 2015
17 December 2015
UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2014-17: Report to Parliament December 2015
16 December 2015
Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2014 to 2015
7 December 2015
DSA annual assurance report April 2014 to March 2015
1 December 2015
Report on UK International Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Security Assistance Programmes
29 October 2015
MOD heritage report 2011 to 2013
22 October 2015
The defence equipment plan 2015
22 October 2015
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation Accounts 2014 to 2015
18 September 2015
Operation Telemeter internal review
16 September 2015
International Defence Engagement Strategy 2014 to 2015
1 September 2015
Review of systemic issues arising from military operations overseas: second report
31 July 2015
Sustainable MOD annual report 2014 to 2015
22 July 2015
UK reserve forces External Scrutiny Team annual report 2015
21 July 2015
Armed Forces Pension Scheme annual accounts 2014 to 2015
14 July 2015
Service Inquiry: accident involving Lynx Mk 9 ZF540 on 26 April 2014
14 July 2015
Military Aviation Authority (MAA) strategy
9 July 2015
MOD Police policing plan 2015/16
30 June 2015
Dartmoor Steering Group: annual review
11 May 2015
MOD equal pay audit report
27 March 2015
Defence Equipment and Support: corporate plan financial year 2015 to 2018
26 March 2015
Service Inquiry: incident involving Voyager ZZ333 on 9 February 2014
23 March 2015
Defence Nuclear Environment and Safety Board assurance reports
26 February 2015
MOD powers of entry review
20 February 2015
Ministry of Defence Votes A: 2015 to 2016
11 February 2015
MOD top level messages
6 February 2015
Government response to an inquiry into Gurkha welfare
29 January 2015
Armed forces covenant 2014 annual report update
23 January 2015
Service Inquiry: incident involving Gazelle XZ936 on 2 June 2014
21 January 2015
The defence equipment plan 2014
13 January 2015
Defence air safety annual reports
13 January 2015
Armed forces covenant annual report 2014
7 January 2015
Defence nuclear emergency response: post exercise reports
19 December 2014
Women in ground close combat (GCC) review paper
19 December 2014
Ministry of Defence mid year progress reports: 2013 to 2014
18 December 2014
Defence Reform reports 2011 to 2014
17 December 2014
Council of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations annual reports 2010 to 2013
5 December 2014
The Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2013 to 2014
28 November 2014
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 2013 to 2014
25 November 2014
MOD business plan performance indicators
7 November 2014
Nuclear Research Advisory Council and Defence Nuclear Safety Committee triennial review report
13 October 2014
Ministry of Defence Police Committee annual reports July 2008 to financial year 2013 to 2014
23 September 2014
Sustainable MOD annual report 2013 to 2014
3 September 2014
Military low flying in the United Kingdom statistical appendix 2012 to 2013
18 August 2014
Defence Support Group annual report and accounts 2013 to 2014
7 August 2014
Armed Forces Pension Scheme annual accounts 2010 to 2014
24 July 2014
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office annual report and accounts 2013 to 2014
16 July 2014
Future Reserves 2020 External Scrutiny Team: 2014 report
15 July 2014
Dalgety Bay management strategy report
10 July 2014
Review of systemic issues arising from military operations overseas
7 July 2014
Review into the exclusion of women from ground close combat roles: terms of reference
3 July 2014
Service Inquiry: accident involving Tornado ZD743 and Tornado ZD812 over Moray Firth
30 June 2014
IMEG report on infectious diseases and sequelae in recent deployed service
2 June 2014
Service Inquiry: accident involving Sea King ZE428 at RNAS Yeovilton
22 May 2014
MOD policing plan financial year 2014 to 2015
21 May 2014
Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons triennial review
16 May 2014
Defence Equipment and Support: framework document
14 May 2014
Defence Equipment and Support: corporate plan financial year 2014 to 2017
14 May 2014
Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC) triennial review 2014
12 May 2014
MOD estate information
16 April 2014
Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body triennial review 2014
10 April 2014
MOD Departmental Improvement Plan
27 March 2014
Service Inquiry: accident involving Tucano ZF349 at RAF Linton-on-Ouse
20 March 2014
Advisory Group on Military Medicine (AGoMM): triennial review
20 February 2014
The defence equipment plan 2013
13 February 2014
Ministry of Defence Votes A 2013 to 2014: supplementary votes
12 February 2014
Ministry of Defence Votes A 2007 to 2013: excess votes
12 February 2014
Ministry of Defence Votes A: 2014 to 2015
12 February 2014
Service Inquiry: accident involving Hawk TMk1 XX177 at RAF Scampton
6 February 2014
Armed forces covenant annual report 2012
22 January 2014
Armed forces covenant annual report 2013
16 December 2013
Royal Hospital Chelsea account 2012 to 2013
25 November 2013
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 2012 to 2013
20 November 2013
Central Advisory Committee on Pensions and Compensation (CAC) triennial review 2013
28 October 2013
Board of Inquiry: Squirrel ZJ 247 helicopter crash, Kingscott Valley
11 October 2013
Reports from the Business, Innovation and Skills, Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees session 2013 to 2014
8 October 2013
MOD greening government commitments (GGC)
20 September 2013
National Employer Advisory Board (NEAB) triennial review
30 August 2013
Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees triennial review 2011
1 August 2013
Advisory Committee on Conscientious Objectors (ACCO) triennial review 2013
18 July 2013
Defence Audit Committee (DAC): terms of reference
18 July 2013
MOD annual report and accounts 2012/13
16 July 2013
Better defence acquisition: improving how we procure and support defence equipment
7 June 2013
Service Inquiry investigating the accident involving Chinook ZA708 on 10 Aug 10
6 June 2013
IMEG second report on medical and scientific aspects of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
17 May 2013
The armed forces covenant: guidance and actions
15 April 2013
Armed forces covenant: interim report 2011
15 April 2013
Service Inquiry into the aviation fuel contamination at Mount Pleasant Complex during the period 25 Jun to 05 Aug 11
27 February 2013
Ministry of Defence votes A from 2009 to 2012: excess votes
26 February 2013
Board of inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the deaths of six Royal Military Policemen
18 February 2013
Ministry of Defence votes A: supplementary votes 2012 to 2013
13 February 2013
Ministry of Defence votes A 2013 to 2014
13 February 2013
Service Inquiry report into the incident involving Lynx XZ210 on 1 Dec 11
8 February 2013
Service Inquiry report into the occurrence involving Chinook ZA671 on 07 April 2012
6 February 2013
Service Inquiry report into the occurrence involving Squirrel HT1 ZJ276 on 20 April 2012
6 February 2013
International defence engagement strategy
6 February 2013
The defence equipment plan 2012
31 January 2013
Board of Inquiry into the loss of HMS Portland's Lynx XZ724 helicopter on 8 December 2004
21 January 2013
Service Inquiry: shooting incident onboard HMS Astute, Southhampton
15 January 2013
DIO design and maintainence guide 18: design of catering facilities
4 January 2013
Defence infrastructure interim land and property disposal strategy
18 December 2012
Service inquiry: accident involving Red Arrows Hawk T Mk1 XX179 near Bournemouth
18 December 2012
MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12
6 December 2012
HMS Antrim Op Corporate report of proceedings
13 November 2012
Royal Hospital Chelsea account 2011 to 2012
1 November 2012
Reports from the Business, Innovation and Skills, Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees session 2010 to 2011
12 October 2012
Learning Lessons from Fukushima: report from DNSR
6 September 2012
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 2011 to 2012
12 July 2012
RAF Tornado accident: MAA statement
1 July 2012
Children and young people's strategy and improvement plan
21 June 2012
MOD Children and young people's strategy and improvement plan
1 May 2012
DIO Business Plan 2012-2016
25 April 2012
Dalgety Bay inspection investigation plan
24 April 2012
Service Inquiry investigating the accident involving Unmanned Air System (UAS) Hermes 450, ZK515 on 2 October 2011
30 March 2012
MOD's climate change strategy
1 March 2012
Regional Prime Central - Expressions of interest
20 February 2012
Regional Prime South East - Expressions of interest
20 February 2012
Ministry of Defence votes A 2012 to 2013
8 February 2012
Ministry of Defence votes A: supplementary votes 2011 to 2012
8 February 2012
UK national strategy on the protection of civilians in armed conflict report
1 February 2012
UK armed forces equal pay audit
31 January 2012
MOD equality and diversity corporate benchmarking
31 January 2012
Service Inquiry: low flying incident Tornado ZA557, Peebles
5 January 2012
HMS Victory (1744) Advisory Group
1 January 2012
Profit formula for non-competitive government contracts: Jan 2012
1 January 2012
Defence Equipment & Support: business plan 2010 to 2013
22 December 2011
Service Inquiry: incident involving Chinook ZH898, oxfordshire
15 December 2011
The Nation’s Commitment Annual Report 2010
12 November 2011
Non-departmental public bodies 2010 to 2011
9 November 2011
Sustainable development report 2009/10
1 November 2011
Dartmoor Training Area integrated rural management plan: volume 1
4 October 2011
Dartmoor Training Area integrated rural management plan: maps
4 October 2011
British nuclear test veterans: health needs audit
1 October 2011
Coalition Building Guide
16 September 2011
Service Personnel and Veteran's Agency (SPVA) annual report and accounts 2010 and 2011
16 August 2011
Red Arrows Hawk T1 XX179 accident: MAA statement
1 August 2011
National training estate prime contract
28 July 2011
Service inquiry investigating the accident to Tornado GR4 ZG792 on 27 Jan 11
28 July 2011
Royal Hospital Chelsea account 2010 to 2011
19 July 2011
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 2010 to 2011
18 July 2011
MOD annual report and accounts 2010 to 2011
18 July 2011
Business, Innovation and Skills, Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees report 2010 to 2011: Government response
7 July 2011
Service Inquiry report into accident involving Puma XW211 on 5 Jul 2011
1 July 2011
Sustainable development strategy and delivery plan 2011 to 2030
1 May 2011
Military low flying in the United Kingdom statistical appendix 2010 to 2011
1 May 2011
Defence Accommodation Management Strategy
31 March 2011
Helmand annual review 2010
12 March 2011
Ministry of Defence votes A 2010 to 2011
17 February 2011
Ministry of Defence votes A 2011 to 2012
17 February 2011
Profit formula for non-competitive government contracts: Feb 2011
1 February 2011
IMEG first report and recommendations on medical aspects of the Boyce review of the AFCS
19 January 2011
Service Inquiry: grounding of HMS Astute, Isle of Skye
1 January 2011
Board of Inquiry report investigating the accident to Tornado GR Mk4, ZA554
14 October 2010
Reports from the Business, Innovation and Skills, Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees 2009 to 2010: Government response
12 October 2010
Fire incident reports: AWE Aldermaston 3 August 2010
17 September 2010
MOD Heritage Reports
9 September 2010
Service Inquiry: Puma ZA934 helicopter crash, Catterick
1 September 2010
Royal Hospital Chelsea account 2009 to 2010
26 July 2010
MOD consolidated departmental resource accounts 2009 to 2010
26 July 2010
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency: annual report and accounts 2009/10
22 July 2010
Defence Vetting Agency (DVA): annual report and accounts 2009/10
21 July 2010
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 2009 to 2010
15 July 2010
Army Inspectorate review: policy, training and conduct of detainee handling
15 July 2010
Service Inquiry report into the Red Arrows accident in Crete on 23 March 2010
1 July 2010
Service Inquiry investigating the accident to Tutor G-BYXR
1 May 2010
Service Inquiry into the flooding of HMS Endurance
18 March 2010
Ministry of Defence Votes A 2010 to 2011
23 February 2010
Ministry of Defence Votes A: supplementary votes 2009 to 2010
24 November 2009
Royal Hospital Chelsea account 2008 to 2009
30 October 2009
Reports from the Business and Enterprise, Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees October 2009
22 October 2009
Defence Food Services: sustainable procurement
1 October 2009
Service Inquiry into the death of Capt JA Philippson
17 September 2009
Defence plan 2009 to 2013
18 August 2009
Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2008 to 2009
20 July 2009
Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2008 to 2009
20 July 2009
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 2008 to 2009
7 July 2009
Defence Estates Development Plan (DEDP) 2009
3 July 2009
Service Inquiry: investigating the accident to Tornado F3 ZE 982
2 July 2009
Ministry of Defence votes A 2009 to 2010
12 February 2009
Service Inquiry investigating the accident to Tutor Aircraft G-BYUT and G-BYVN
11 February 2009
MOD Public Service Agreement: quarterly reports (April 2008 to March 2011)
1 January 2009
Reports from the Business and Enterprise, Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees session 2007 to 2008
3 November 2008
Defence public key infrastructure (DPKI) X.509 certificate policy
8 October 2008
Royal Hospital Chelsea account 2007 to 2008
19 September 2008
Board of Inquiry report into the grounding of HMS Superb
18 September 2008
DASA annual report and accounts, 2007 to 2008
28 July 2008
Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2007 to 2008
21 July 2008
Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2007 to 2008
21 July 2008
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 2007 to 2008
14 July 2008
Defence Plan 2008 to 2012
5 June 2008
Ministry of Defence votes A 2008 to 2009
19 February 2008
Royal Hospital Chelsea account 2006 to 2007
14 December 2007
DASA annual report and accounts, 2006 to 2007
12 December 2007
Ministry of Defence: the Government's expenditure plans 2007 to 2008
23 July 2007
Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2006 to 2007
23 July 2007
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 2006 to 2007
18 July 2007
British Forces Post Office: annual report and accounts 2006 to 2007
12 July 2007
The Duke of York's Royal Military School annual report and accounts 2006 to 2007
28 June 2007
Ministry of Defence votes A 2007-08
20 February 2007
DASA annual report and accounts, 2005 to 2006
30 November 2006
Ministry of Defence votes A 2006-07: supplementary votes for the year ending 31st March 2007
21 November 2006
Military aircraft accident summary: aircraft accident to RAF Hercules XV179
8 November 2006
Reports from the Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development, and Trade and Industry Committees: session 2005 to 2006 strategic export controls
30 October 2006
Royal Hospital Chelsea account 2005 to 2006
27 October 2006
Ministry of Defence: the Government's expenditure plans 2006 to 2007 to 2007 to 2008
14 July 2006
Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2005 to 2006
14 July 2006
Ministry of Defence votes A 2006 to 2007
14 February 2006
DASA annual report and accounts, 2004 to 2005
10 February 2006
Board of Inquiry into the loss of Hercules XV179 (Iraq 30 Jan 05)
13 January 2006
Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2005
28 October 2005
Royal Hospital Chelsea account 2004-2005
21 October 2005
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 2004 to 2005
22 July 2005
Queen Victoria School annual report and accounts 2004 to 2005
20 July 2005
Reports from the Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development, and Trade and Industry Committees
20 July 2005
Ministry of Defence: the Government's expenditure plans 2005-06 to 2007-08
20 July 2005
Ministry of Defence votes A 2005 to 2006
22 February 2005
Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2003 to 2004
12 October 2004
Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry Committees report session 2002 to 2003
17 October 2003
Reports from the Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry committees session 2002 to 2003
12 September 2003
Royal Hospital Chelsea accounts 2001 to 2002
11 July 2003
Military aircraft accident summary: aircraft accident to RAF Tornado GR MK4A ZG710
23 March 2003
Ministry of Defence - The Government's Expenditure Plans 2001-2002 to 2003-2004
21 April 2001
Ministry of Defence consolidated departmental resource accounts 1999 to 2000
1 February 2001
Appropriation accounts 1999 to 2000
24 January 2001
Ministry of Defence: Appropriation accounts 1997 to 1998: Vol. 1 Class I
26 November 1998
Board of Inquiry report: death of English D P CEM1
17 December 1997
Defence plan 2010 to 2014
1 April 1997
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 1994-95
1 March 1996
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 1993-94
20 January 1995
Greenwich Hospital and Travers Foundation accounts 1992-93
12 January 1994
Ministry of Defence votes A 1993 to 1994
16 February 1993
Ministry of Defence votes A 1986
14 February 1985