The endorsed force levels for UK military operations are provided in the following table by location.
Location Endorsed number1 (at 31 May 2009) Afghanistan 28,300 Iraq 3— At sea 41,050 Falklands/South Atlantic 1,500 Qatar 250 Cyprus 300 Kuwait 51,500 Kosovo <50 Bahrain 6150 Oman 150 Bosnia <50 Other6 100 1 Rounded to 50 2 On 29 April 2009, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, announced on 29 April 2009, Official Report, column 869, a temporary increase in troop numbers to 9,000 for Operation Herrick to bolster security during the Afghanistan election period. 3 On 15 June, the Prime Minister set out for Parliament on 15 June 2009, Official Report,column 21, the current number of UK military personnel in Iraq (around 500) as we draw down our forces after the conclusion of the combat mission and the number we expect to remain in Iraq after the completion of the drawdown by the end of July (up to 100). 4 Numbers at sea in support of Operations TELIC and CALASH. 5 Temporary increases in endorsed posts during the period of the Operation TELIC drawdown, these numbers fluctuate daily but will not exceed these levels. 6 Small scale deployments in support of EU and UN missions, headquarters liaison officers and capacity building activities.
The precise number of personnel in each theatre at any one time fluctuates significantly on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including: mid-tour rest and recuperation; temporary absence for training; evacuation for medical reasons; the roulement of forces; visits; and a range of other factors.