NATO has today published its latest defence expenditures data for 2014 and estimates for 2015 which includes which member nations are spending the target of 2% of their GDP on defence.
As the Defence Secretary indicated on the Andrew Marr programme yesterday, the figures confirm that UK spending remains above 2% - one of just five member nations forecast to achieve the target in 2015.
The UK continues to have the second largest defence budget in NATO and the largest in the EU.
The UK is also one of just seven member nations to meet NATO’s guideline to spend 20% of its defence budget on major equipment and equipment support. Over the next decade, the Government is committed to spending over £160 billion on our kit to keep Britain safe. That includes new strike fighters; more surveillance aircraft; hunter killer submarines; two aircraft carriers; and the most advanced armoured vehicles.
There has been some discussion in the media around which elements of spending are included in the UK’s return to NATO. As with other NATO member states, from time to time the UK makes updates to ensure defence spending is categorised fully in accordance with NATO guidelines and what it says should be included.
The Government is committed to maintaining the size of regular armed forces, to increase the equipment budget in real terms every year and to replace our four nuclear ballistic submarines. These commitments will secure the shape and power of our Armed Forces and keep Britain safe.
As the Government has previously stated, decisions for 2016-17 spending and beyond are for the forthcoming Spending Review.