Army strength falls below 6,000 for first time in living memory

In the first half of this year, 338 personnel left the Defence Forces while just 240 were recruited. The army now has only 5,959 members, some 1,500 less than the minimum strength. Picture: iStock  

The strength of the army has dropped below 6,000 for the first time in living memory and now stands 1,500 fewer than the absolute minimum the force should have.

The latest figures also show more people continue to leave the Defence Forces than join it.