Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Global instability prompting increased UK defence spending and refreshed NATO operational plans.
Conclusion
Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which followed its annexation of Crimea in 2014, has contributed to making the world more unstable. In response, the UK government has confirmed in its Spending Review on 11 June that it will increase defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product from April 2027, with an ambition to increase it to 3% in the next Parliament.1 Likewise, total NATO defence spending has increased enormously, predominantly through European countries, and NATO has refreshed its operational plans so that member nations know how they best fit in and what capabilities are required.2
Government Response Summary
The government detailed its ongoing support for Ukraine, including providing £4.5 billion in capability support this financial year, a landmark agreement to integrate battlefield technology into UK production lines, and sustained close relationships with Ukrainian counterparts.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Ukraine for as long as it takes. In the immediate term, this financial year the Ministry of Defence (the department) expect to provide £4.5 billion in capability support – more than in any previous year - this includes the £1.5 billion of the £2.6 billion ‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration’ Loans which is being repaid using profits generated by immobilised Russian assets. Recognising the exceptional knowledge Ukraine has learned from this conflict, and the opportunities UK can offer through its 100-year partnership, the department is also implementing long-term solutions which will deliver on Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation for the UK Armed Forces. Partnering with Ukraine will be the key, as illustrated by the Prime Minister’s recent landmark agreement with President Zelenskyy which will see battlefield technology and data sets from the front line plugged into UK production lines, allowing Ukrainian and British defence firms to collaborate in rapidly designing and building, at scale, cutting edge military equipment both for Ukrainian benefit today and mutual military, industrial and economic benefit the in the longer term. The department will sustain its close relationships with its Ukrainian counterparts which are built on mutual trust, a track record of delivery and enable the UK to be responsive to Ukraine’s needs. The department will also remain at the forefront of the international response by working with allies to provide support for Ukraine, for example through co-chairing of the international Ukraine Defence Contact Group.