A pistol, rifle and deactivated World War One machine gun have been stolen or lost from Ministry of Defence facilities in the past two years.
Figures also show that more than 700 phones, laptops, computers and USB sticks went missing in the same period.
Uncovered by the Liberal Democrats, the party’s defence spokesperson Helen Maguire said it was ‘deeply concerning’ particularity ‘at this time of heightened global security tensions’.
The government responded by saying it has ‘robust policies and procedures to prevent losses and thefts’.
The figures were revealed in response to a written parliamentary question by the Lib Dems, the BBC reports.
Among the number of firearms lost or stolen from MoD facilities in 2023, under the previous Conservative government, was a deactivated World War Two Luger Pistol and Sten submachine gun, which were both lost in June 2023.
A deactivated World War One German machine gun was stolen in August 2023 and an SA80 rifle the month prior, however both have since been found. In December 2021, a Glock 19 Pistol was stolen.
Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said all losses and thefts would be ‘fully and rigorously investigated’ and that the security of firearms was taken ‘very seriously’ by the department.
The number of missing phones from the department has risen from 101 in 2023 to 159 in 2024.
While for USB sticks the figure was up to 125 in 2024 from 20 in 2023
However, the number of missing laptops has fallen from 176 in 2023 to 138 in 2024. In the past year 25 computers were also lost or stolen.
The figures for missing firearms in 2024 are not available.
The Lib Dems have called for an urgent inquiry into how the items were lost or stolen and what is being down to reduce the number of misplaced items.
The government said that proportionate security controls are in place to protect electronic devices in relation to the sensitive information they can hold.
Ms Maguire said: ‘The government is more butterfingered than Goldfinger when it comes to national security.
‘The loss of these crucial resources is deeply concerning – especially at this time of heightened global security tensions.
‘Sensitive national safety information may end up in the wrong hands, while precious public money is spent on replacements in the meantime. And the theft of dangerous weapons should seriously raise alarm bells when it comes to security.’
An MoD spokesperson said: ‘We take the security of defence assets extremely seriously and have robust policies and procedures to prevent losses and thefts.
‘If any assets are reported lost or missing due to suspected criminal activity, we take the necessary steps to investigate, prosecute and recover the items.’