This topic covers statistics on activities of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Armed Forces, including Search and Rescue, military aid to the civil authorities, and compensation claims.
Publications
Military search and rescue statistics.
Military search and rescue statistics.
The annual statistics compendium of the Ministry of Defence
A summary of the annual statistics compendium of the Ministry of Defence
A summary of the annual statistics compendium of the Ministry of Defence
Overview
This topic covers a range of diverse activities of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces.
Search and Rescue
The Military Search and Rescue (SAR) service exists primarily to assist military and civilian aircrew in difficulty. The majority of its work involves assisting shipping or people in distress, both on land and at sea. SAR cover for the UK and a large area of the surrounding sea is provided 24 hours a day and 365 days a year by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN).
The SAR force consists of RAF and RN SAR Sea King helicopters operating from eight locations around the UK, specially equipped RAF Nimrod aircraft based in RAF Kinloss in Scotland and four RAF Mountain Rescue Teams. Two RAF SAR helicopter units operate in Cyprus and the Falklands.
Military aid to the civil authorities
This involves military aid to the civil power, to other government departments and to the community at large. Military aid to other government departments is the use of military forces for non-military government tasks, including fishery protection and hydrographic tasks.
Compensation claims
These are common law non-contractual compensation claims made against the Ministry of Defence. The claims are of three broad types:
1. employer's liability for Armed Forces personnel
2. employer's liability to its civilian employees, and
3. public liability
Peacekeeping
Statistics on the cost of Ministry of Defence (MOD) operations and peacekeeping are published annually in the UK Defence Statistics publication.
Technical Data
Search and Rescue
Information published on Search and Rescue includes:
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the number of incidents
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callouts and people moved
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breakdown by type of response (such as, helicopter or fixed wing aircraft)
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the type of assistance provided
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location
UK Search and Rescue data are provided in the form of a weekly download from the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre database at RAF Kinloss. Every incident recorded by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre is included in this data.
Incident data from Cyprus and the Falklands are received by email on an ad-hoc basis. All data are validated and checked by Defence Analytical Services and Advice on receipt.
Military Search and Rescue National Statistics are published on a quarterly basis.
Military aid to the civil authorities
Statistics on the number of vessels boarded by the Royal Navy Fishery Protection Squadron within British fishing limits, and convictions arising from these boardings are published on an annual basis in the UK Defence Statistics publication. UK Defence Statistics also provides examples of military aid to the civil power, to other government departments and to the civil community, including numbers of military personnel involved in flood relief.
Statistics are also published on military aid to the Civil Power in Northern Ireland, supporting the police in the defeat of terrorism and in the maintenance of public order. However, troop numbers in Northern Ireland have decreased in recent years, with the Royal Irish Regiment being disbanded in 2007, and it is likely that 2008 will be the last year in which the UK Defence Statistics publication includes information on military aid in Northern Ireland.
Compensation claims
The department self-insures against loss. However, it employs commercial companies as claim handlers. All settlements are paid by the department, the companies in question receiving a fee for each claim handled. Gallagher Bassett recently won the contracts in respect of third-party motor claims and Service and civilian employer’s liability claims for all claims received after 1 May 2007.
The Ministry of Defences's (MOD) Claims branch handles all other claims, including:
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public liability worldwide - property damage and personal injury (except where there is an Area Claims Office (ACO))
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damage or injury caused by low flying military aircraft
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maritime claims and salvage claims
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clinical negligence
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claims made against a NATO visiting force
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high value, novel or contentious cases
Statistics on compensation claims are published annually in the UK Defence Statistics publication.
Glossary
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Callouts
Each Search and Rescue unit attending an incident is described as a callout. An incident may result in one or more callouts. An example is two callouts to a mountain incident, with a helicopter and a Mountain Rescue Team working together to assist a casualty. Callouts are for Royal Navy and RAF units whose primary task is Search and Rescue, plus other military aircraft and ships that attended incidents because they were available to Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centres.
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Conflict prevention
Conflict Prevention consists of early warning, crisis management, conflict resolution, peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peace-building activity and associated strengthening of international and regional systems and capacity. It includes expenditure in both programme and operational expenditure.
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Defence mission
The defence mission are the objectives of the Ministry of Defence, which are to provide the capabilities needed: to ensure the security and defence of the UK and Overseas Territories, including against terrorism; to support the government’s foreign policy objectives particularly in promoting international peace and security.
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Hydrographic
The UK Hydrographic Office, part of the Ministry of Defence, is responsible for surveying the seas around the UK and other areas to aid navigation.
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Incidents
Search and Rescue incidents are emergencies attended by Royal Navy or Royal Air Force units whose primary task is Search and Rescue, plus other military aircraft and ships that are available to Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centres.
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Medrescue
This is a Search and Rescue term for moving an injured casualty from a hostile environment to a medical facility.
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Medtransfer
This is a Search and Rescue term for moving a sick person between medical facilities such as a hospital, or occasionally to move transplant organs.
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Ministry of Defence (MOD)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the UK government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces. The principal objective of the MOD is to defend the UK and its interests. The MOD also manages day-to-day running of the Armed Forces, contingency planning and defence procurement.
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People moved
This is a Search and Rescue term for moving people from a hostile environment to a safe environment or to a medical facility to receive urgent medical attention, and between medical facilities at the request of the NHS.
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Recovery
This is a Search and Rescue term for moving people declared dead on scene or confirmed dead on arrival by a qualified doctor.
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Rescue
This is a Search and Rescue term for moving an uninjured person from a hostile to a benign environment.
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Search
This is a Search and Rescue term for a search for craft or people, which does not result in a recovery or rescue.
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Transfer
A Search and Rescue transfer involves moving military personnel, or their families, on compassionate grounds.
Contact Details
For statistical enquiries about this topic, please contact:
Laura Bates
Email: dasa-infoatdasa-office@mod.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7807 8792
Defence Analytical Services and Advice 3-K-15 MOD Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB
