The Ministry of Defence has said that the vast majority of its equipment spending is with British companies, while noting it does not track the origin of all raw materials used in production.
The Ministry of Defence has told MPs that 87% of its equipment spending is placed with UK industry, as ministers seek to underline the domestic share of defence procurement. In a written response to Lee Anderson MP, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said that total MOD direct expenditure with industry stood at £35.4 billion in 2024–25, of which £31.7 billion was spent with UK companies.
Of that total industry spend, £11.9 billion related specifically to equipment procurement. According to Pollard, £10.4 billion of that figure was spent in the UK.
“Of the total industry spend, £11.9 billion was on equipment, of which £10.4 billion (87%) was in the UK,” he said.
The Minister added that the government is “spending more of a rising defence budget with British companies”, pointing to annual statistics published by the department on regional and industrial expenditure. However, Pollard also acknowledged limits in the data held by the MOD, stating that the department does not centrally track the origin of all raw materials used in the manufacture of defence equipment.
“The Department does not centrally track the origin of all raw materials used in the production of equipment,” he said. The figures relate to direct MOD expenditure with industry and do not account for overseas content embedded within supply chains supporting UK-based production.
Yeah but I wouldn’t be surprised if upwards of 80% of that number is either with or has something to do with BAE.
Give another guy a chance 😅
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It’s time we asked manufacturers what percentage of their equipment’s value add comes from Britain for all our equipment. They would have to ask their suppliers and so forth. That way this time next year not only could we answer the question, we could also prioritise new equipment purchases appropriately and have arguments on growth to counter the Treasury’s policy of, if it moves, cut it.
Ok, more MOD news, just hurry and buy some kit you done next to bugger all for two years.