The UK Ministry of Defence has released the third annual update to the defence equipment plan, setting out spending plans for the next decade.
The ten-year plan includes spending nearly £163bn on new equipment and support services for the armed forces. It also shows an independently run audit found the cost of the department’s 11 biggest equipment programmes fell by £397m in the past year, representing improved efficiency. Approximately £40bn is likely to be spent on the acquisition of new submarines, while £15.4bn and £11.1bn have been allocated for land equipment such as tanks and armoured vehicles, and helicopter capabilities, respectively.
Scotland Office Minister David Mundell welcomed the publication of the annual update to Parliament on MoD spending plans over the next decade.
Mr Mundell said:
This publication provides a long term view about where defence is planning to invest in military capability which increases certainty for the UK’s defence industry. It is a realistic and affordable plan which provides excellent value for money to the taxpayer and further underlines the UK Government’s long term commitment to the defence industry in Scotland and to our dedicated and talented workforce.
The UK’s defence industry is worth billions of pounds and generates economic benefits for communities across Scotland, and right through the supply chain through jobs, contracts, and supporting services. This includes building the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers at Rosyth, the three new Offshore Patrol Vessels being built on the Clyde and the substantial investment in the facilities at Faslane.
We’ve taken difficult decisions to rebuild our economy and balance the defence budget. Now we are in a position to invest significantly and plan for the next decade’s worth of investment, this brings substantial benefits and opportunities for Scotland.
I’m sure that Scotland will show their legendary gratitude considering the cost to the oldest and most successful UK naval facilities at Portsmouth. in England.
No suprise there sucking up to the joks as usual.
Nonsense, England is getting around 90% of the spending. Also, by “they” do you mean the government of the UK of which Scotland is a part?
Absolute rubbish the uk government will always suck up to scotland as they are frightened that scotland will break the union and take the oil with them, which is why they are closing english shipyards and giving all the work to scottish shipyards.
No, that’s BAE who run the yards. They’re focusing frigate builds in Glasgow as its the most cost effective. England gets 90% of the contracts, stop whining.
Clearly a scotthen are we touched a nerve have i
Shaun, take your nationalism somewhere that doesn’t do any research,
Shaun = Stupidity… On a lighter note regarding the article. I’m looking forward to the new tanks, hopefully it’s not a Chally replacement though. Can you shed some light on this?
I have no doubt that Scotland will benefit from this, however this article does not explain ‘how’ and ‘why’ Scotland will benefit. This need to be explained clearer!