Recommendation 23

The Department said that the SDR would build upon and develop the current equipment programme. The Department described the existing programme as “ambitious” and an “extraordinary list” of “massive programmes” which includes renewing the nuclear warhead, spending £40 billion to reequip the Army, and the long-term investment in a sixth-generation fighter. It also said it was trying to strengthen some areas of weakness.46 For example, the previous Public Accounts Committee heard during its inquiry on the 2023 Equipment Plan that integrated air missile defence needed to be deeper and broader both within the UK’s armed forces and within NATO collectively.47