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Britain’s wobbly warriors! Defence chiefs flip to costly weight reduction medicine in a bid to get extra troops match to struggle on the frontline

Defence chiefs have turned to expensive celebrity weight-loss drugs in a bid to get more troops fit to fight on the frontline.

Figures obtained by the Mail have revealed more than 500 prescriptions for Semaglutide, the active ingredient in on-trend products such as Ozempic and Wegovy, have been issued to personnel.

The drugs have been signed off by commanders at the same time as essential exercises are being scaled back and equipment purchases cancelled to save money.

Last night, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the medications, when prescribed in service, were likely to be for conditions such as diabetes, which is directly linked to obesity in adults.

The 81 troops who have received Semaglutide, which was made fashionable in the UK by the likes of television personality Jeremy Clarkson and James Cordon, could only have developed diabetes as adults and since they enlisted in the Armed Forces.

That is because the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are exempt from the Equality Act and therefore can ban people with diabetes and other conditions from joining.

The cases of those who develop diabetes in service are managed by unit doctors. 

They are not automatically discharged – however they cannot deploy to the frontline, due to their high level of dependence on medications.

More than 500 prescriptions for Semaglutide, the active ingredient in on-trend products such as Ozempic and Wegovy, have been issued to serving personnel

More than 500 prescriptions for Semaglutide, the active ingredient in on-trend products such as Ozempic and Wegovy, have been issued to serving personnel

Last year 267 costly prescriptions for miracle slimming drugs were signed off by services doctors, up from only 60 in 2022. Pictured: Ozempic jabs

Last year 267 costly prescriptions for miracle slimming drugs were signed off by services doctors, up from only 60 in 2022. Pictured: Ozempic jabs 

Defence sources also confirmed that a 400 per cent rise in prescriptions in 2024, compared to 2022, was due to medical facilities on military bases ‘offering services that were more consistent with NHS standards. 

In total 509 prescriptions have been written.

Last year 267 costly prescriptions for miracle slimming drugs were signed off by services doctors, up from only 60 in 2022. 

The drugs are prohibitively expensive and are rationed, effectively, by GPs.

Semaglutide is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate blood sugar levels. 

Weight gain among troops is generally linked to poor diet, in particular excessive consumption of sugar-high carbohydrates and sugary drinks – which are readily available on bases.

Last night, shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois said: ‘With almost a quarter of our Regular Army not medically, fully deployable, we clearly need to address this.

Jeremy Clarkson admitted previously that he had taken Ozempic to reduce his weight

Jeremy Clarkson admitted previously that he had taken Ozempic to reduce his weight

‘However, with the defence budget already under severe pressure, I question whether dolling out expensive weight loss drugs is really the best way to tackle the problem, rather than intensive physiotherapy for injuries and better training.’

Semaglutide has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a treatment option for adults who are overweight or obese, subject to certain criteria.

Excessive amounts of body fat can cause type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing the disease also increases linearly in line with increases in body mass index.

Previous measures to encourage troops to ‘fight the fat’ have included banning them from Greggs.

In 2018, the Mail revealed troops from the Royal Dragoon Guards, stationed at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire had been told not to use the popular bakery.

More recently, the Mail has revealed a series of alarming cuts to defence spending, signed off by ministers, in a desperate bid to ensure they do not overspend their budgets.

These have included cancelling key training exercises, overseas travel and drastic cuts to ammunition expenditure. 

Desperate officials even identified a penny pinching £13,000 grant to the famous Chelsea Pensioners, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, before the Mail stepped in.

According to the most recent figures, more than 13,000 people in the UK’s Armed Forces are ‘not medically deployable’.

Actor and presenter James Corden also admitted to trying Ozempic for weight loss

Actor and presenter James Corden also admitted to trying Ozempic for weight loss 

These restricted duties troops can only serve in certain locations or in a limited capacity due to health issues. 

The Royal Navy has 2,922 sailors in this category, the Royal Air Force has 3,721 aviators in it and the Army has 6,879 soldiers categorised as ‘MLD’ (Medically Limited Deployable).

Service personnel with medical conditions or fitness issues that affect their ability to perform their duties will generally be referred to a medical board for a medical examination and review of their medical grading.

They may be downgraded, to allow for treatment, recovery and rehabilitation and deployability status can be awarded on a temporary or permanent basis.

Ministers have stressed Britain needs to rebuild ‘depth’ into its armed forces to sustain the UK’s contribution to any NATO-led engagement with Russian forces.

Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has also conceded the UK’s military is suffering from ‘deficiencies’ in people, equipment, stockpiles, training and technology.

He said: ‘We need the humility to recognise that we are not as strong as we could be and then the determination and focus to put this right.’

The MoD has claimed ‘around 90 per cent’ of troops are deployable, with most of the remainder employed in wider military roles – but they cannot fight.

Figures have also revealed an alarming downward trend in personnel classified as ready for combat across all branches.

Across the armed forces, the total number of combat-ready personnel across the board was 74,966 in 2022. 

This dropped to 70,290 in 2024. The reduction also reflects a contraction in the size of the armed forces.

Last night, the Ministry of Defence said: ‘The level of obesity in our Armed Forces is extremely low.

‘These figures show that only a very small number have been prescribed medication for long-term weight management only – representing just 0.4 per cent of Service Personnel.

‘If Service Personnel experience issues related to their weight, medical and dietary advice and support is provided.’