Trend
+£1.8bn (43%) since 2019/20
exact ONS/HMRC/MHCLG/PSS fields
Defence spending aims
Protect the UK
Deter threats
Support allies
Project influence
Invest in people
Inside the £6bn
exact ONS/HMRC/MHCLG/PSS fields
Personnel
£2.0bn33.3% · £67/household
- Armed Forces pay
- Recruiting and training
- Veterans' support
Equipment & Procurement
£1.4bn23.3% · £47/household
- New equipment
- Weapons systems
- Vehicles and aircraft
Operations
£1.0bn16.7% · £33/household
- Military operations
- Deployments
- Intelligence operations
Estates & Infrastructure
£0.6bn16.0% · £20/household
- Base operations
- Estate maintenance
- Service family housing
R&D, Technology & Innovation
£0.5bn8.3% · £17/household
- Research & development
- Cyber & space capabilities
- Emerging technologies
Support & Business Services
£0.3bn5.0% · £10/household
- IT & communications
- Logistics & transport
- Finance & legal services
Allies & International Contributions
£0.2bn3.4% · £7/household
- NATO budgets
- UN peacekeeping
- Security cooperation
Defence spending is around 2.2% of the UK's GDP in 2024/25.
The government has committed to increase spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.
The UK Armed Forces include around 178,000 regular personnel and 30,000 reserves.
The Royal Navy operates aircraft carriers, submarines and patrol vessels worldwide.
The RAF protects UK airspace 24/7 and supports operations around the world.
Sources
- ONS — Public sector finances, UK
- MOD — Departmental resources
- HM Treasury — Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA)
Financial year 2024/25.