The Ministry of Defence does not hold the information requested broken down for the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. The figures in the following table represent the totality of military personnel in the Naval Service.

The planned numbers of trained personnel are:

The number of untrained personnel at April 2015 is expected be in the region of 3,200. The numbers for 2018 and 2020 have not been calculated as they are dependent on future manning requirements, outflows, and training wastage rates.

Royal Navy strength is forecast to be within manning balance, which is defined as +1% to -2% of the planned Trained Strength target of 29,850 at April 2018. A forecast for 2020 is not yet available.

The recruitment figures for Royal Navy Rating entries in 2018 and 2020 have not yet been set.

The Ministry of Defence does not hold the information requested broken down for the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. The figures in the following table represent the totality of military personnel in the Naval Service.

The planned numbers of trained personnel are:

The number of untrained personnel at April 2015 is expected be in the region of 3,200. The numbers for 2018 and 2020 have not been calculated as they are dependent on future manning requirements, outflows, and training wastage rates.

Royal Navy strength is forecast to be within manning balance, which is defined as +1% to -2% of the planned Trained Strength target of 29,850 at April 2018. A forecast for 2020 is not yet available.

The recruitment figures for Royal Navy Rating entries in 2018 and 2020 have not yet been set.

I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary (Philip Hammond) released in the other place on 19 December 2013 (Official Report, column 124WS), and a paper that was placed in the Library of the House setting out the planned growth of the trained strength of the Reserve Forces, together with the enlistment targets for the next five years that will support that growth.

The Type 26 Global Combat Ship (T26 GCS) programme is currently in its Assessment Phase. As is the standard practice with equipment projects, the final design, equipment fit and build programme will not be set until the main investment decision has been taken, when the design is more mature, which is now expected towards the end of 2014.

Work is ongoing across all Defence Lines of Development to ensure the conditions are set for the service entry and acceptance of the T26 GCS; manpower planning represents one of the areas. A Unit Establishment List and total number of bunks on board has been established for planning purposes, but these figures are being revised as the design matures and the Assessment Phase concludes.

The Type 26 Global Combat Ship (T26 GCS) programme is currently in its Assessment Phase. As is the standard practice with equipment projects, the final design, equipment fit and build programme will not be set until the main investment decision has been taken, when the design is more mature, which is now expected towards the end of 2014.

Work is ongoing across all Defence Lines of Development to ensure the conditions are set for the service entry and acceptance of the T26 GCS; manpower planning represents one of the areas. A Unit Establishment List and total number of bunks on board has been established for planning purposes, but these figures are being revised as the design matures and the Assessment Phase concludes.

As of 31 October 2013, 31 aircrew and 150 maintenance personnel have converted to the Merlin Mk3 helicopter. 32 aircrew and 33 maintenance personnel are currently undergoing conversion training, with a further 24 maintenance personnel entering conversion training before the end of the year.

The first Royal Navy Merlin Mk3 helicopter squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron, will stand up as part of the Commando Helicopter Force in autumn 2014.

The ship-optimisation of the Merlin Mk3 helicopter is part of a wider package of aircraft enhancements that form the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme. The programme is currently in its Assessment Phase; programme funding will be considered as part of the Main Gate Business Case.

The transition of the Merlin Mk3 airframe to the Commando Helicopter Force is already underway and is due to complete in advance of the planned modification of the airframe.

The Royal Air Force Regiment is established for 354 Officers, up to and including Group Captain rank, and 2,206 Airmen, up to and including Warrant Officer rank. The RAF Regiment requires all personnel to be capable of dismounted close combat; hence—unlike all other RAF branches and trades—female personnel may not serve in the specialisation.