Defence will barely meet half of its recruitment target this financial year, military chiefs concede, amid the fallout from the government’s plan to allow foreigners to enlist in the army, air force and navy.

With the armed services facing a shortfall of almost 5000 personnel in 2024-25 against its 63,500 target, outgoing Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell claimed recruitment would improve by December, when a number of changes, including a lowering of physical requirements, took effect.