New figures reveal the Defence Force is on track to lose more than 1000 regular force or reserve personnel in 2021.

A third of those who left recently cited work on Operation Protect, the military's contribution to the Covid-19 response, as a factor in their decision to move on.

National Defence spokesman Chris Penk, who obtained the data via written parliamentary questions, said the level of attrition is “massively concerning”.

Source: Stuff