Government records reveal that asbestos has killed nine times more military veterans than British victims of the Taliban during the Afghan campaign.
The deadly material, found in military accommodation, ships, submarines, helicopters, and tanks, is causing an average of 89 new cases of mesothelioma, a fatal cancer, each year.
According to the British Occupational Hygiene Society, former service personnel may be up to ten times more likely to develop an asbestos-related disease than the general public.
Asbestos exposure has been a far deadlier threat to British veterans than the Taliban
A compensation dispute is growing as veterans are offered significantly less money than civilians for similar asbestos-related illnesses.
Between 2016 and 2025, the Ministry of Defence paid out £112.5 million in compensation to 803 terminally ill veterans through a dedicated military scheme launched nine years ago.
The number of these deaths is alarmingly high, especially when compared to combat casualties. During the 20 years of the British campaign in Afghanistan (2001-2021), 405 service members were killed in hostile action.
In that same period, however, an estimated 1,780 veterans died from mesothelioma alone. When including other asbestos-related diseases like asbestosis and lung cancer, the total number of veteran deaths is at least 3,560.
This conservative estimate is more than nine times the number of combat deaths, underscoring that asbestos exposure has been a far deadlier threat to British veterans than the Taliban.
Asbestos Exposure in Equipment and Accommodation
In 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that 2,699 pieces of military hardware contained asbestos. This included:
- Every Vanguard and Astute-class submarine
- Hundreds of Challenger tanks
- Over a thousand Warrior and Bulldog armoured vehicles
- A wide range of helicopters, frigates, destroyers, and missiles.
The problem extends to living quarters as well.
A Parliamentary Defence Committee report in December found that up to a third of Single Living Accommodation and two-thirds of Service Families Accommodation were “essentially no longer fit for purpose” due to their poor condition.
Following a Freedom of Information request, the MoD admitted that 72 percent of its accommodation contains “low risk” asbestos. However, clinicians and legal experts have long maintained that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
Professor Kevin Bampton, chief executive of the British Occupational Hygiene Society, commented on the findings, stating that while service members accept a high risk of injury or death, “they should be able to expect that their housing, work accommodation and equipment do not pose more of a likely cause of death than hostile combatants.”
Criticism of the Armed Forces Covenant
One critic called the unequal treatment of veterans a “disgrace,” stating that while the government “harps on” about the Armed Forces Covenant, which is meant to guarantee the welfare of those who have served, it is “not worth the paper it’s written on.”
Professor Kevin Bampton, the chief executive of the British Occupational Hygiene Society, also called for the government to create an “end-to-end strategy” to protect service personnel from asbestos in their homes and equipment.
He pointed out the staggering statistics, saying that while combat injuries are expected, “you don’t expect nine times as many people to die from asbestos-related disease, which is preventable and completely unnecessary.”
Chief Executive of Mesothelioma UK Charity
According to Liz Darlison, chief executive of the charity Mesothelioma UK, the death toll from asbestos exposure among British veterans is a national shame, far surpassing the number of deaths caused by the Taliban.
Asbestos-related illnesses are the country’s biggest industrial killer, causing over 5,000 deaths a year. Over half of these are due to mesothelioma, a fatal cancer of the lungs and stomach lining.
As symptoms can take 20 to 60 years to emerge, many veterans are diagnosed decades after their military service, with most dying within a year of diagnosis.
For years, veterans could not claim compensation from the Ministry of Defence due to Crown Immunity. While this was waived in 2014, leading to the creation of a War Pension Scheme, compensation for other asbestos-related diseases like asbestosis is only available under strict circumstances.
Ms. Darlison criticized the situation, noting that their charity’s nurses see a disproportionate number of veterans. She called it a “national disgrace” and highlighted the even greater shame in how the military treats veterans after they are diagnosed.
The Daily Mail has been campaigning for government action, including a phased removal of asbestos from public buildings and a national register to track its location.
Disparity in Veteran vs. Civilian Compensation
Research conducted for Mesothelioma UK by Sheffield University has uncovered significant inequalities in how military veterans with asbestos-related diseases are compensated compared to civilians.
Under the War Pension Scheme, diagnosed veterans can opt for a weekly or monthly pension or a single, one-off payment of £140,000. Most choose the lump sum, knowing their time is limited.
This payment amount, however, has not been increased in nine years. By comparison, personal injury lawyers note that civilians often receive at least £100,000 more when they claim compensation from their former employers.
Liz Darlison of Mesothelioma UK highlighted further injustices, explaining that civilian settlements often include provisions for private or innovative treatments, whereas military settlements do not.
She also pointed out that while a civilian family can claim compensation after a loved one has died from the disease, a veteran’s family is unable to do so under the War Pension Scheme.
This inequality has drawn criticism from officials like Emma Lewell, Labour MP for South Shields, whose own grandfather died from mesothelioma.
Lewell stated, “It can’t be right that those who have served get lesser compensation than civilians. This needs to be looked at urgently.”
Ministry of Defence’s Response
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) defended the compensation disparity by explaining that the standard of proof required for veterans to show asbestos exposure is lower than for civilians.
While the one-off lump sum payment for mesothelioma has not increased, the MoD noted that if a veteran’s family chooses a War Widow(er) Pension, the payment does increase annually with inflation.
The MoD concluded its statement by saying it takes “the health and safety of our service personnel and defence employees extremely seriously.”
Frequently asked questions:
What is Mesothelioma?
Illnesses Linked
- Multiple Myeloma
- Lung, throat, testicular cancers
- Mesothelioma
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
- Persistent chest pain
- Breathlessness
- Chronic coughing
- Fatigue and unexplained weight loss
Mesothelioma is often fatal and develops silently for years after exposure.
Can I make a claim against the MOD?
You are eligible to claim compensation against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for a variety of issues arising from military service, including:
- Injuries from accidents (training, vehicle, defective equipment)
- Insufficient protective gear leading to conditions like cold injuries or hearing loss.
- Harm resulting from inadequate training (e.g., heat injuries),
- Assaults, bullying, or harassment.
- Developing PTSD or other mental health conditions due to service or MoD negligence
- Injuries from clinical negligence.
- Injuries caused by exposure to harmful substances (like chemicals or asbestos) without proper protection,
- Injuries sustained in road traffic accidents.
What evidence will you need to start your Asbestos claim?
We offer precise direction from the moment you contact us, helping with every stage, including obtaining important evidence, all to ensure your claim has the best chance of success.
To accomplish this, you will need:
- A personal statement of your service and exposure
- Medical diagnosis/proof of condition
- Witness statements (if available)
- Receipts for treatment-related expenses
- Records showing loss of earnings or support.
How much compensation will I receive?
The amount of compensation you will be awarded will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will depend on your circumstances and injuries caused by the exposure.
The claims range for these types of cases can be from a few thousand pounds to hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Further information:
Asbestos Information CIC: The Asbestos Risk Map.
Daily Mail: Asbestos kills more troops than the Taliban: National disgrace revealed by Mail as toxic MoD homes and equipment caused NINE TIMES more deaths than 20-year Afghan campaign.
Daily Mail: ‘Heartrending tales of the veterans who fell victim to the British military’s silent killer: ‘Asbestos was everywhere years ago… but many old soldiers just shut their gob, got on with it and quietly faded away’.
Oakwood Solicitors: Sea King Helicopter Cancer and Asbestos Claims.
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we are committed to supporting Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and reservists, whether they are still serving or have entered civilian life. Proudly partnered with veterans’ charity, Front Foot.
Do not Suffer in Silence. You Deserve Answers and Compensation. If you served in the military and now suffer from an asbestos-related illness, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
Let us guide you through the legal process. Contact us today on 0113 486 2412 for a no-obligation consultation.
Liam Hill is a Solicitor and Deputy Head of the Industrial Disease Team, having trained and qualified at Oakwood Solicitors. Liam joined us in 2013 after successfully completing the Legal Practice C…
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