Defence equipment and spending

The French nuclear deterrent is the one that is most often compared to the UK’s nuclear forces. While there are similarities in terms of policy, posture and size, there are also significant differences in terms of industrial support and cost. In contrast to the UK all of the major political parties in France support an independent nuclear deterrent, and domestic support is high. This paper examines the French nuclear deterrent in greater detail. It is also part of a wider Library briefing series on nuclear weapons.

This Insight looks at the Wedgetail programme and the role of surveillance aircraft in the RAF.

A general debate on ‘The situation in Yemen’ has been scheduled for Thursday 24 September 2020 in the Main Chamber. This debate was selected by the Backbench Business Committee.

On 26 February 2020, the Prime Minister set out the government’s approach to the Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign affairs. This paper provides links to a selection of news, analysis and comment on the upcoming Integrated Review.

This short Commons Library briefing paper examines UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Defence will review the single source contract regulatory framework in 2021. This Commons Library briefing paper explains what the framework is and changes made to date.

In a vote in July 2016 the House of Commons approved the decision to maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent beyond the early 2030s. After almost a decade of work on the project, that vote subsequently enabled the programme to move forward into its manufacturing phase, which will see the construction of four new Dreadnought class ballistic missile submarines over the next 15-20 years.

Since the acquisition of the UK's first strategic nuclear deterrent in the 1950s, the cost of procuring and maintaining it, and which Government department should finance it, has always been a matter of much debate.

In February 2020 the Government confirmed the existence of a replacement warhead programme for its nuclear deterrent. A decision on replacement has been long-awaited, with work on possible options underway since 2006.

The MoD are planning to spend £181 billion on equipment for the armed forces over the next ten years. The National Audit Office has deemed this 'unaffordable'. We look at the plan and the NAO's concerns.

This Commons Library paper provides a short guide to the main recommendations of the defence reviews that have taken place since the end of the Second World War.

A Westminster Hall debate on ‘Wales's contribution to the UK armed forces’ has been scheduled for Tuesday 25 February 2020 at 4.30pm. The debate has been initiated by Fay Jones MP.

The Commons Library has published several briefing papers in recent years examining surface ship procurement. This short paper looks at the latest developments which include halting the Fleet Solid Support ship competition, a new in-service date for the Type 31 frigates and Sir John Parker's review of the implementation of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.