People living with HIV can now pursue any career in the UK Armed Forces, including as military pilots and aircrew for the first time, following the removal of final indirect restrictions.
Following a comprehensive review, the MOD is lifting restrictions that previously prevented people living with HIV from working in military aviation as aircrew or controllers across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force ensuring they can pursue any career path within the Armed Forces based on their skills and abilities.
Personnel and all those wishing to join the military who take suppressive treatment for HIV, and whose blood tests show no detectable virus, have been recognised as able to serve in almost all roles since June 2022.
Today’s policy update now includes the remaining three professions, Aircrew and Air Traffic Controllers in all services and Royal Navy Divers, and means there are no medical barriers to service for those living with HIV.
Defence Minister, Luke Pollard commissioned the review into the department’s HIV policies in November 2024, after the Terrence Higgins Trust raised concerns about remaining restrictions affecting Armed Forces personnel living with HIV.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, 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anyone living with HIV can serve their country in any role they choose, based on their talent and dedication, not on outdated policies.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.'
Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said:
'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 ongoing work to remove barriers and change organisational culture on HIV and sexual health supports the UK government's goal of ending new HIV cases by 2030 and the Plan for Change mission to break down barriers to opportunity.
Dr Tristan Barber, Chair of the British HIV Association, said:
'The British HIV Association (BHIVA) is very proud that, working together with the Terrence Higgins Trust over the last four years, we have been able to provide the scientific evidence needed by the MOD in order to remove remaining career restrictions for people living with HIV in the Armed Forces.
'With today's transformational treatment and care, there is no reason that HIV should present any barrier to service in any part of the military. Science shows that HIV treatment completely suppresses the virus, so that people living with HIV cannot transmit HIV sexually, are healthy and remain fighting fit. The British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force are now leading the way with a world first, by following the science and removing stigma, to support people with HIV to use their abilities to the full.'
The review, conducted in partnership with the Terrence Higgins Trust and the British HIV Association (BHIVA), has resulted in policy changes across all three services:
- Royal Air Force and aviation: Restrictions for current and potential aircrew living with HIV removed.
- British Army: Defence policy has been updated to remove the indirect medical restriction on people living with HIV serving in the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces.
- Royal Navy: The review confirmed that military divers face no HIV-specific additional barriers, with no evidence of discrimination.
