People living with HIV can now serve in all Armed Forces roles (EXCLUSIVE)
On World Aids Day, the UK is now the first NATO nation to allow people living with HIV to serve fully deployed, supporting goal to end new HIV cases by 2030
By Callum Wells
People living with HIV can now serve in any role in the British Armed Forces, Attitude can reveal, including the Parachute Regiment, Airborne Forces, military pilots, aircrew, air traffic controllers, and Royal Navy divers.
With World AIDS Day marking this historic announcement, the UK becomes the first NATO nation to allow personnel living with HIV to serve fully deployed, setting a global precedent for equality in the military.
The Ministry of Defence’s policy update follows a comprehensive review conducted with the Terrence Higgins Trust and the British HIV Association (BHIVA). Previously, personnel living with HIV were barred from certain aviation roles, air traffic control, and elite Army or Navy positions, but those restrictions have now been lifted across the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force.
“This is a landmark moment for our Armed Forces and for equality in military service” – defence minister Luke Pollard
Personnel taking suppressive HIV treatment whose blood tests show no detectable virus have been recognised as able to serve in almost all roles since June 2022. Today’s update removes the final barriers, meaning there are no medical restrictions preventing people living with HIV from joining any role in the Armed Forces.
Defence minister Luke Pollard, who commissioned the review in November 2024 after concerns were raised by the Terrence Higgins Trust about remaining restrictions, said: “This is a landmark moment for our Armed Forces and for equality in military service. By removing these final restrictions, we are ensuring that anyone living with HIV can serve their country in any role they choose, based on their talent and dedication, not on outdated policies.
“Our Armed Forces were the first NATO nation to welcome people living with HIV into uniformed service, we continue that proud tradition. I want to thank people living with HIV, Terrence Higgins Trust and the British HIV Association for their partnership in this review. This change is not just about updating policy – it’s about changing culture, challenging stigma, and ensuring our Armed Forces remain a modern, inclusive employer that attracts the best talent from across our nation.”
The review confirmed that the Royal Air Force and aviation roles, including pilots and air traffic controllers, are now open to personnel living with HIV. In the British Army, indirect medical restrictions that previously prevented people living with HIV from serving in the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces have been lifted. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy has confirmed that military divers face no HIV-specific barriers, ensuring equal access to all roles.
“The RAF, Army and Navy is jumping the queue again, and forging a path that the world can follow” – Richard Angell OBE, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust
Richard Angell OBE, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, added: “This announcement sends a vital message: HIV should not hold anyone back. Today, science, not stigma, won out. This was done because people living with HIV never give up, Terrence Higgins Trust and BHIVA made clear a better way was possible and the medics and the politicians in the government listened. This is huge. Treatment means people living with HIV can live a long, health life and cannot pass the virus on – this is game changing but not new.
“We should be proud that four years ago, our country led the way in updating rules on people living with HIV serving in the armed forces. Today we do it again. By removing the last major restriction on people living with HIV serving, the RAF, Army and Navy is jumping the queue again, and forging a path that the world can follow.”
The MOD’s policy overhaul aligns with the UK government’s ambition to end new HIV cases by 2030 and reinforces its Plan for Change mission to break down barriers to opportunity.
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