# The armed forces: spending, people and commitments

url: https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/armed-forces/
updated: 29 September 2026
licence: Our words, analysis, charts and derived calculations: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), credit [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). Figures: each source's own licence, listed under Sources.
publisher: [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk)

# The armed forces: spending, people and commitments



Last updated 29 September 2026.
Figures refresh every night. [How each figure is worked out](/methodology/).





**£65.4bn** was spent on defence in Defence, United Kingdom in 2025-26, **£941** per resident. That is −0.8% on a year earlier after inflation (+2.7% in cash). In 2025-26 prices it has gone from £48.8bn in 1955-56 to £65.4bn. On NATO’s measure the UK spends 2.56% of GDP on core defence (2026, NATO estimate). 137,482 people served in the regular forces on 1 July 2026.



Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source:
[HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60f573d2d3bf7f56824cc5f3/PESA_2021_CP_Chapter_5.xlsx), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f5c21e5274a2e87db561f/PESA_2016_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c87a5ed915d6969f45852/pesa_2011_tables_chapter5.xlsx), [Office for Budget Responsibility](https://obr.uk/download/historical-public-finances-database/?tmstv=1790611197).





## Key figures



- £65.4bnSpent in 2025-26, cash

+2.7% on a year earlier
As of 16 July 2026
- −0.8%Real-terms change, 2025-26 on a year earlier

£65.4bn in 2025-26 prices
As of 16 July 2026
- £941Per resident, 2025-26


As of 16 July 2026
- 2.56%Of GDP on core defence, NATO measure, 2026 (estimate)
- 137,482UK regular forces, 1 July 2026


As of 23 September 2026




Sources: [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), [Office for Budget Responsibility](https://obr.uk/download/historical-public-finances-database/?tmstv=1790611197), [NATO](https://www.nato.int/content/dam/nato/webready/documents/finance/def-exp-2026-en.xlsx), [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab2745d997a4b2950cced1a/Accessible_Excel_tables_to_the_UK_armed_forces_quarterly_service_personnel_statis.xlsx).





## What is the short version?



- **Three measures of defence spending:** HM Treasury’s by function, the MOD’s own budget, and NATO’s core defence, which the commitments use. They are shown apart.
- **Defence is spent for the UK as a whole,** so there is no nation or local breakdown.
- **The last Equipment Plan was unaffordable by £16.9bn;** its replacement has no affordability table yet.






## Over the longest run published: cash, real terms and per head




**Defence, United Kingdom: spending in cash and in 2025-26 prices, £ billion**








Real terms use HM Treasury’s GDP deflator, 2025-26 prices. Breaks in the series: 1988-89: Before 1988-89 the UK series is the OBR’s historical defence figure; from 1988-89 it is HM Treasury’s PESA. 2011-12: The MOD’s spending categories start in 2011-12; war pensions and the DE&S trading entity were classified differently before 2015-16.




**The numbers behind this chart**



Search




| Year | Real terms (2025-26 prices) | Cash |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1955-56Details | £48.8bn | £1.5bn |
| Cash£1.5bn | | |
| 1956-57Details | £47.8bn | £1.6bn |
| Cash£1.6bn | | |
| 1957-58Details | £44.9bn | £1.5bn |
| Cash£1.5bn | | |
| 1958-59Details | £42.7bn | £1.5bn |
| Cash£1.5bn | | |
| 1959-60Details | £43.6bn | £1.5bn |
| Cash£1.5bn | | |
| 1960-61Details | £44.4bn | £1.6bn |
| Cash£1.6bn | | |
| 1961-62Details | £45.4bn | £1.7bn |
| Cash£1.7bn | | |
| 1962-63Details | £46.5bn | £1.8bn |
| Cash£1.8bn | | |
| 1963-64Details | £47.3bn | £1.8bn |
| Cash£1.8bn | | |
| 1964-65Details | £47.6bn | £1.9bn |
| Cash£1.9bn | | |
| 1965-66Details | £47.7bn | £2.0bn |
| Cash£2.0bn | | |
| 1966-67Details | £48.1bn | £2.2bn |
| Cash£2.2bn | | |
| 1967-68Details | £50.1bn | £2.3bn |
| Cash£2.3bn | | |
| 1968-69Details | £47.4bn | £2.3bn |
| Cash£2.3bn | | |
| 1969-70Details | £43.0bn | £2.2bn |
| Cash£2.2bn | | |
| 1970-71Details | £42.5bn | £2.4bn |
| Cash£2.4bn | | |
| 1971-72Details | £44.1bn | £2.7bn |
| Cash£2.7bn | | |
| 1972-73Details | £45.4bn | £3.0bn |
| Cash£3.0bn | | |
| 1973-74Details | £47.8bn | £3.5bn |
| Cash£3.5bn | | |
| 1974-75Details | £47.8bn | £4.2bn |
| Cash£4.2bn | | |
| 1975-76Details | £47.8bn | £5.2bn |
| Cash£5.2bn | | |
| 1976-77Details | £49.3bn | £6.1bn |
| Cash£6.1bn | | |
| 1977-78Details | £47.9bn | £6.7bn |
| Cash£6.7bn | | |
| 1978-79Details | £49.1bn | £7.7bn |
| Cash£7.7bn | | |
| 1979-80Details | £51.9bn | £9.5bn |
| Cash£9.5bn | | |
| 1980-81Details | £53.3bn | £11.6bn |
| Cash£11.6bn | | |
| 1981-82Details | £53.7bn | £12.9bn |
| Cash£12.9bn | | |
| 1982-83Details | £57.0bn | £14.8bn |
| Cash£14.8bn | | |
| 1983-84Details | £58.6bn | £15.9bn |
| Cash£15.9bn | | |
| 1984-85Details | £61.3bn | £17.6bn |
| Cash£17.6bn | | |
| 1985-86Details | £60.8bn | £18.4bn |
| Cash£18.4bn | | |
| 1986-87Details | £59.1bn | £18.6bn |
| Cash£18.6bn | | |
| 1987-88Details | £57.4bn | £19.1bn |
| Cash£19.1bn | | |
| 1988-89Details | £54.5bn | £19.4bn |
| Cash£19.4bn | | |
| 1989-90Details | £54.6bn | £21.0bn |
| Cash£21.0bn | | |
| 1990-91Details | £52.8bn | £22.0bn |
| Cash£22.0bn | | |
| 1991-92Details | £52.5bn | £23.2bn |
| Cash£23.2bn | | |
| 1992-93Details | £52.4bn | £23.8bn |
| Cash£23.8bn | | |
| 1993-94Details | £50.3bn | £23.5bn |
| Cash£23.5bn | | |
| 1994-95Details | £49.1bn | £23.3bn |
| Cash£23.3bn | | |
| 1995-96Details | £46.0bn | £22.5bn |
| Cash£22.5bn | | |
| 1996-97Details | £43.7bn | £22.1bn |
| Cash£22.1bn | | |
| 1997-98Details | £42.8bn | £21.7bn |
| Cash£21.7bn | | |
| 1998-99Details | £47.6bn | £24.5bn |
| Cash£24.5bn | | |
| 1999-00Details | £48.2bn | £25.1bn |
| Cash£25.1bn | | |
| 2000-01Details | £48.9bn | £25.7bn |
| Cash£25.7bn | | |
| 2001-02Details | £47.4bn | £25.4bn |
| Cash£25.4bn | | |
| 2002-03Details | £49.4bn | £27.0bn |
| Cash£27.0bn | | |
| 2003-04Details | £51.4bn | £28.8bn |
| Cash£28.8bn | | |
| 2004-05Details | £51.6bn | £29.8bn |
| Cash£29.8bn | | |
| 2005-06Details | £52.3bn | £31.0bn |
| Cash£31.0bn | | |
| 2006-07Details | £52.7bn | £32.2bn |
| Cash£32.2bn | | |
| 2007-08Details | £54.1bn | £33.7bn |
| Cash£33.7bn | | |
| 2008-09Details | £57.0bn | £36.8bn |
| Cash£36.8bn | | |
| 2009-10Details | £57.6bn | £37.7bn |
| Cash£37.7bn | | |
| 2010-11Details | £59.0bn | £39.3bn |
| Cash£39.3bn | | |
| 2011-12Details | £56.9bn | £38.7bn |
| Cash£38.7bn | | |
| 2012-13Details | £52.5bn | £36.3bn |
| Cash£36.3bn | | |
| 2013-14Details | £51.6bn | £36.4bn |
| Cash£36.4bn | | |
| 2014-15Details | £51.3bn | £36.7bn |
| Cash£36.7bn | | |
| 2015-16Details | £50.8bn | £36.6bn |
| Cash£36.6bn | | |
| 2016-17Details | £50.5bn | £37.1bn |
| Cash£37.1bn | | |
| 2017-18Details | £52.0bn | £38.7bn |
| Cash£38.7bn | | |
| 2018-19Details | £52.8bn | £40.2bn |
| Cash£40.2bn | | |
| 2019-20Details | £54.0bn | £42.2bn |
| Cash£42.2bn | | |
| 2020-21Details | £54.2bn | £44.6bn |
| Cash£44.6bn | | |
| 2021-22Details | £59.1bn | £48.7bn |
| Cash£48.7bn | | |
| 2022-23Details | £62.9bn | £55.5bn |
| Cash£55.5bn | | |
| 2023-24Details | £61.1bn | £56.8bn |
| Cash£56.8bn | | |
| 2024-25Details | £65.9bn | £63.7bn |
| Cash£63.7bn | | |
| 2025-26Details | £65.4bn | £65.4bn |
| Cash£65.4bn | | |











Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source:
[HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60f573d2d3bf7f56824cc5f3/PESA_2021_CP_Chapter_5.xlsx), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f5c21e5274a2e87db561f/PESA_2016_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c87a5ed915d6969f45852/pesa_2011_tables_chapter5.xlsx), [Office for Budget Responsibility](https://obr.uk/download/historical-public-finances-database/?tmstv=1790611197).





**Defence, United Kingdom: spending per resident, 2025-26 prices**








Per resident divides by ONS mid-year population estimates.




**The numbers behind this chart**



Search




| Year | Per resident, 2025-26 prices | Per resident, cash |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1971-72Details | £789 | £48 |
| Per resident, cash£48 | | |
| 1972-73Details | £810 | £54 |
| Per resident, cash£54 | | |
| 1973-74Details | £851 | £62 |
| Per resident, cash£62 | | |
| 1974-75Details | £849 | £74 |
| Per resident, cash£74 | | |
| 1975-76Details | £851 | £92 |
| Per resident, cash£92 | | |
| 1976-77Details | £877 | £109 |
| Per resident, cash£109 | | |
| 1977-78Details | £853 | £120 |
| Per resident, cash£120 | | |
| 1978-79Details | £873 | £137 |
| Per resident, cash£137 | | |
| 1979-80Details | £923 | £169 |
| Per resident, cash£169 | | |
| 1980-81Details | £947 | £206 |
| Per resident, cash£206 | | |
| 1981-82Details | £953 | £230 |
| Per resident, cash£230 | | |
| 1982-83Details | £1,013 | £262 |
| Per resident, cash£262 | | |
| 1983-84Details | £1,040 | £282 |
| Per resident, cash£282 | | |
| 1984-85Details | £1,087 | £312 |
| Per resident, cash£312 | | |
| 1985-86Details | £1,075 | £325 |
| Per resident, cash£325 | | |
| 1986-87Details | £1,042 | £328 |
| Per resident, cash£328 | | |
| 1987-88Details | £1,010 | £336 |
| Per resident, cash£336 | | |
| 1988-89Details | £958 | £341 |
| Per resident, cash£341 | | |
| 1989-90Details | £957 | £368 |
| Per resident, cash£368 | | |
| 1990-91Details | £922 | £384 |
| Per resident, cash£384 | | |
| 1991-92Details | £914 | £404 |
| Per resident, cash£404 | | |
| 1992-93Details | £911 | £413 |
| Per resident, cash£413 | | |
| 1993-94Details | £872 | £407 |
| Per resident, cash£407 | | |
| 1994-95Details | £849 | £403 |
| Per resident, cash£403 | | |
| 1995-96Details | £792 | £388 |
| Per resident, cash£388 | | |
| 1996-97Details | £751 | £380 |
| Per resident, cash£380 | | |
| 1997-98Details | £733 | £372 |
| Per resident, cash£372 | | |
| 1998-99Details | £814 | £419 |
| Per resident, cash£419 | | |
| 1999-00Details | £821 | £428 |
| Per resident, cash£428 | | |
| 2000-01Details | £830 | £436 |
| Per resident, cash£436 | | |
| 2001-02Details | £802 | £430 |
| Per resident, cash£430 | | |
| 2002-03Details | £831 | £455 |
| Per resident, cash£455 | | |
| 2003-04Details | £862 | £483 |
| Per resident, cash£483 | | |
| 2004-05Details | £861 | £497 |
| Per resident, cash£497 | | |
| 2005-06Details | £865 | £513 |
| Per resident, cash£513 | | |
| 2006-07Details | £867 | £529 |
| Per resident, cash£529 | | |
| 2007-08Details | £882 | £550 |
| Per resident, cash£550 | | |
| 2008-09Details | £921 | £595 |
| Per resident, cash£595 | | |
| 2009-10Details | £925 | £606 |
| Per resident, cash£606 | | |
| 2010-11Details | £941 | £626 |
| Per resident, cash£626 | | |
| 2011-12Details | £900 | £612 |
| Per resident, cash£612 | | |
| 2012-13Details | £824 | £570 |
| Per resident, cash£570 | | |
| 2013-14Details | £804 | £568 |
| Per resident, cash£568 | | |
| 2014-15Details | £793 | £568 |
| Per resident, cash£568 | | |
| 2015-16Details | £780 | £562 |
| Per resident, cash£562 | | |
| 2016-17Details | £769 | £566 |
| Per resident, cash£566 | | |
| 2017-18Details | £788 | £587 |
| Per resident, cash£587 | | |
| 2018-19Details | £796 | £606 |
| Per resident, cash£606 | | |
| 2019-20Details | £810 | £633 |
| Per resident, cash£633 | | |
| 2020-21Details | £812 | £668 |
| Per resident, cash£668 | | |
| 2021-22Details | £882 | £727 |
| Per resident, cash£727 | | |
| 2022-23Details | £930 | £821 |
| Per resident, cash£821 | | |
| 2023-24Details | £892 | £829 |
| Per resident, cash£829 | | |
| 2024-25Details | £951 | £919 |
| Per resident, cash£919 | | |
| 2025-26Details | £941 | £941 |
| Per resident, cash£941 | | |











Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source:
[HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60f573d2d3bf7f56824cc5f3/PESA_2021_CP_Chapter_5.xlsx), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f5c21e5274a2e87db561f/PESA_2016_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c87a5ed915d6969f45852/pesa_2011_tables_chapter5.xlsx), [Office for Budget Responsibility](https://obr.uk/download/historical-public-finances-database/?tmstv=1790611197).





Source: HM Treasury, [PESA 2026: chapters 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), published 16 July 2026; HM Treasury, [PESA 2021: chapter 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60f573d2d3bf7f56824cc5f3/PESA_2021_CP_Chapter_5.xlsx); HM Treasury, [PESA 2016: chapter 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f5c21e5274a2e87db561f/PESA_2016_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx); HM Treasury, [PESA 2011: chapter 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c87a5ed915d6969f45852/pesa_2011_tables_chapter5.xlsx); Office for Budget Responsibility, [Historical public finances database](https://obr.uk/download/historical-public-finances-database/?tmstv=1790611197).





## Against the commitments: defence as a share of GDP




**UK core defence spending as a share of GDP, NATO measure**








NATO’s own definition of core defence spending, on its GDP basis. Years marked "estimate" are NATO’s estimates. The UK’s commitments are set against this measure, not HM Treasury’s spending on defence.




**The numbers behind this chart**





| Year | Core defence, % of GDP | NATO guideline of 2% |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2014Details | 2.13% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2015Details | 2.02% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2016Details | 2.07% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2017Details | 2.06% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2018Details | 2.08% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2019Details | 2.06% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2020Details | 2.33% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2021Details | 2.25% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2022Details | 2.22% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2023Details | 2.22% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2024Details | 2.28% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2025 (estimate)Details | 2.32% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |
| 2026 (estimate)Details | 2.56% | 2.00% |
| NATO guideline of 2%2.00% | | |






Figure as of unknown date. Source:
[NATO](https://www.nato.int/content/dam/nato/webready/documents/finance/def-exp-2026-en.xlsx).





UK defence spending commitments



- 25 February 2025

2.5% of GDP on defence from April 2027, with an ambition of 3% in the next Parliament ([Prime Minister's Office, statement of 25 February 2025](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-sets-out-biggest-sustained-increase-in-defence-spending-since-the-cold-war-protecting-british-people-in-new-era-for-national-security))
- 24 June 2025

5% of GDP on national security by 2035: 3.5% on core defence and 1.5% on resilience and security ([UK Government, NATO Hague summit announcement](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-deliver-on-5-nato-pledge-as-government-drives-greater-security-for-working-people))
- 30 June 2026

Defence Investment Plan: NATO core spending of 2.6% of GDP in 2026-27 and 2.7% in each year to 2029-30; 3% a commitment in the next Parliament ([Ministry of Defence, the Defence Investment Plan: funding explainer](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-defence-investment-plan/the-defence-investment-plan-funding-explainer))





Commitments checked against the sources on 24 September 2026.




**What UK core defence spending goes on, % of the total, NATO measure**








NATO’s categories. Equipment includes research and development; personnel includes military and civilian pay and pensions.




**The numbers behind this chart**





| Year | Equipment | Personnel | Infrastructure | Operations, maintenance and other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2014Details | 22.8% | 36.6% | 2.0% | 38.6% |
| Personnel36.6%Infrastructure2.0%Operations, maintenance and other38.6% | | | | |
| 2015Details | 21.8% | 36.8% | 1.6% | 39.8% |
| Personnel36.8%Infrastructure1.6%Operations, maintenance and other39.8% | | | | |
| 2016Details | 21.2% | 35.3% | 1.9% | 41.6% |
| Personnel35.3%Infrastructure1.9%Operations, maintenance and other41.6% | | | | |
| 2017Details | 22.3% | 34.5% | 2.3% | 40.9% |
| Personnel34.5%Infrastructure2.3%Operations, maintenance and other40.9% | | | | |
| 2018Details | 22.3% | 33.8% | 3.0% | 41.0% |
| Personnel33.8%Infrastructure3.0%Operations, maintenance and other41.0% | | | | |
| 2019Details | 22.9% | 34.1% | 2.1% | 41.0% |
| Personnel34.1%Infrastructure2.1%Operations, maintenance and other41.0% | | | | |
| 2020Details | 23.8% | 33.8% | 1.7% | 40.7% |
| Personnel33.8%Infrastructure1.7%Operations, maintenance and other40.7% | | | | |
| 2021Details | 29.5% | 31.5% | 1.7% | 37.3% |
| Personnel31.5%Infrastructure1.7%Operations, maintenance and other37.3% | | | | |
| 2022Details | 31.4% | 29.7% | 2.9% | 36.0% |
| Personnel29.7%Infrastructure2.9%Operations, maintenance and other36.0% | | | | |
| 2023Details | 31.3% | 30.7% | 2.2% | 35.8% |
| Personnel30.7%Infrastructure2.2%Operations, maintenance and other35.8% | | | | |
| 2024Details | 33.4% | 30.4% | 2.2% | 34.0% |
| Personnel30.4%Infrastructure2.2%Operations, maintenance and other34.0% | | | | |
| 2025 (est.)Details | 36.1% | 29.7% | 0.4% | 33.7% |
| Personnel29.7%Infrastructure0.4%Operations, maintenance and other33.7% | | | | |
| 2026 (est.)Details | 37.2% | 27.5% | 0.4% | 34.9% |
| Personnel27.5%Infrastructure0.4%Operations, maintenance and other34.9% | | | | |






Figure as of unknown date. Source:
[NATO](https://www.nato.int/content/dam/nato/webready/documents/finance/def-exp-2026-en.xlsx).






## How many serve





| Service | People |
| --- | --- |
| Army regulars | 73,657 |
| Naval Service regulars (Royal Navy and Royal Marines) | 32,433 |
| Royal Air Force regulars | 31,392 |
| All UK regular forces | 137,482 |
| Gurkhas | 4,422 |
| Volunteer reserves | 32,134 |






**UK regular forces by service, headcount**








Regular personnel on the first day of each quarter; excludes Gurkhas and reserves. The Ministry of Defence stopped publishing a workforce requirement (target) after April 2021.




**The numbers behind this chart**



Search




| Year | Army | Naval Service | Royal Air Force |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2012Details | 104,254 | 35,545 | 40,005 |
| Naval Service35,545Royal Air Force40,005 | | | |
| 2012 JulDetails | 103,591 | 35,252 | 39,441 |
| Naval Service35,252Royal Air Force39,441 | | | |
| 2012 OctDetails | 102,758 | 34,684 | 38,495 |
| Naval Service34,684Royal Air Force38,495 | | | |
| 2013 JanDetails | 99,738 | 34,290 | 37,457 |
| Naval Service34,290Royal Air Force37,457 | | | |
| 2013Details | 99,726 | 33,959 | 37,027 |
| Naval Service33,959Royal Air Force37,027 | | | |
| 2013 JulDetails | 98,027 | 33,683 | 36,368 |
| Naval Service33,683Royal Air Force36,368 | | | |
| 2013 OctDetails | 97,028 | 33,516 | 35,917 |
| Naval Service33,516Royal Air Force35,917 | | | |
| 2014 JanDetails | 91,798 | 33,337 | 35,515 |
| Naval Service33,337Royal Air Force35,515 | | | |
| 2014Details | 91,066 | 33,334 | 35,227 |
| Naval Service33,334Royal Air Force35,227 | | | |
| 2014 JulDetails | 89,476 | 33,079 | 34,939 |
| Naval Service33,079Royal Air Force34,939 | | | |
| 2014 OctDetails | 89,203 | 32,902 | 34,522 |
| Naval Service32,902Royal Air Force34,522 | | | |
| 2015 JanDetails | 87,140 | 32,880 | 34,195 |
| Naval Service32,880Royal Air Force34,195 | | | |
| 2015Details | 87,058 | 32,739 | 33,927 |
| Naval Service32,739Royal Air Force33,927 | | | |
| 2015 JulDetails | 86,064 | 32,593 | 33,723 |
| Naval Service32,593Royal Air Force33,723 | | | |
| 2015 OctDetails | 86,085 | 32,483 | 33,585 |
| Naval Service32,483Royal Air Force33,585 | | | |
| 2016 JanDetails | 84,963 | 32,398 | 33,542 |
| Naval Service32,398Royal Air Force33,542 | | | |
| 2016Details | 85,038 | 32,502 | 33,456 |
| Naval Service32,502Royal Air Force33,456 | | | |
| 2016 JulDetails | 84,328 | 32,529 | 33,363 |
| Naval Service32,529Royal Air Force33,363 | | | |
| 2016 OctDetails | 84,488 | 32,495 | 33,267 |
| Naval Service32,495Royal Air Force33,267 | | | |
| 2017 JanDetails | 83,607 | 32,437 | 33,232 |
| Naval Service32,437Royal Air Force33,232 | | | |
| 2017Details | 83,561 | 32,544 | 33,261 |
| Naval Service32,544Royal Air Force33,261 | | | |
| 2017 JulDetails | 82,611 | 32,458 | 33,006 |
| Naval Service32,458Royal Air Force33,006 | | | |
| 2017 OctDetails | 82,207 | 32,427 | 32,891 |
| Naval Service32,427Royal Air Force32,891 | | | |
| 2018 JanDetails | 81,709 | 32,446 | 32,878 |
| Naval Service32,446Royal Air Force32,878 | | | |
| 2018Details | 81,116 | 32,483 | 32,957 |
| Naval Service32,483Royal Air Force32,957 | | | |
| 2018 JulDetails | 79,896 | 32,384 | 32,848 |
| Naval Service32,384Royal Air Force32,848 | | | |
| 2018 OctDetails | 79,644 | 32,538 | 32,716 |
| Naval Service32,538Royal Air Force32,716 | | | |
| 2019 JanDetails | 78,358 | 32,379 | 32,690 |
| Naval Service32,379Royal Air Force32,690 | | | |
| 2019Details | 79,029 | 32,537 | 32,862 |
| Naval Service32,537Royal Air Force32,862 | | | |
| 2019 JulDetails | 78,481 | 32,469 | 32,832 |
| Naval Service32,469Royal Air Force32,832 | | | |
| 2019 OctDetails | 79,330 | 32,600 | 32,723 |
| Naval Service32,600Royal Air Force32,723 | | | |
| 2020 JanDetails | 78,619 | 32,640 | 32,769 |
| Naval Service32,640Royal Air Force32,769 | | | |
| 2020Details | 79,624 | 32,755 | 32,938 |
| Naval Service32,755Royal Air Force32,938 | | | |
| 2020 JulDetails | 78,876 | 33,050 | 32,820 |
| Naval Service33,050Royal Air Force32,820 | | | |
| 2020 OctDetails | 80,040 | 33,384 | 32,907 |
| Naval Service33,384Royal Air Force32,907 | | | |
| 2021 JanDetails | 80,811 | 33,523 | 32,918 |
| Naval Service33,523Royal Air Force32,918 | | | |
| 2021Details | 82,231 | 33,848 | 33,201 |
| Naval Service33,848Royal Air Force33,201 | | | |
| 2021 JulDetails | 81,816 | 34,045 | 33,371 |
| Naval Service34,045Royal Air Force33,371 | | | |
| 2021 OctDetails | 82,040 | 34,127 | 33,378 |
| Naval Service34,127Royal Air Force33,378 | | | |
| 2022 JanDetails | 80,976 | 33,915 | 33,325 |
| Naval Service33,915Royal Air Force33,325 | | | |
| 2022Details | 80,730 | 33,929 | 33,319 |
| Naval Service33,929Royal Air Force33,319 | | | |
| 2022 JulDetails | 79,377 | 33,751 | 33,143 |
| Naval Service33,751Royal Air Force33,143 | | | |
| 2022 OctDetails | 79,139 | 33,388 | 32,739 |
| Naval Service33,388Royal Air Force32,739 | | | |
| 2023 JanDetails | 78,059 | 33,009 | 32,490 |
| Naval Service33,009Royal Air Force32,490 | | | |
| 2023Details | 77,536 | 32,840 | 32,180 |
| Naval Service32,840Royal Air Force32,180 | | | |
| 2023 JulDetails | 76,225 | 32,363 | 31,714 |
| Naval Service32,363Royal Air Force31,714 | | | |
| 2023 OctDetails | 75,983 | 32,131 | 31,378 |
| Naval Service32,131Royal Air Force31,378 | | | |
| 2024 JanDetails | 75,166 | 31,906 | 31,025 |
| Naval Service31,906Royal Air Force31,025 | | | |
| 2024Details | 75,325 | 32,000 | 30,796 |
| Naval Service32,000Royal Air Force30,796 | | | |
| 2024 JulDetails | 74,296 | 31,672 | 30,557 |
| Naval Service31,672Royal Air Force30,557 | | | |
| 2024 OctDetails | 74,612 | 31,812 | 30,437 |
| Naval Service31,812Royal Air Force30,437 | | | |
| 2025 JanDetails | 73,847 | 31,906 | 30,364 |
| Naval Service31,906Royal Air Force30,364 | | | |
| 2025Details | 74,396 | 32,152 | 30,450 |
| Naval Service32,152Royal Air Force30,450 | | | |
| 2025 JulDetails | 73,490 | 31,993 | 30,547 |
| Naval Service31,993Royal Air Force30,547 | | | |
| 2025 OctDetails | 74,273 | 32,156 | 30,673 |
| Naval Service32,156Royal Air Force30,673 | | | |
| 2026 JanDetails | 73,790 | 32,375 | 30,792 |
| Naval Service32,375Royal Air Force30,792 | | | |
| 2026Details | 74,368 | 32,516 | 31,082 |
| Naval Service32,516Royal Air Force31,082 | | | |
| 2026 JulDetails | 73,657 | 32,433 | 31,392 |
| Naval Service32,433Royal Air Force31,392 | | | |











Figure as of 23 September 2026. Source:
[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab2745d997a4b2950cced1a/Accessible_Excel_tables_to_the_UK_armed_forces_quarterly_service_personnel_statis.xlsx).






## Where the money goes, level by level



- UK total
- Nation not published
- Department or service body
- Local body not published
- Spending category
- Line or transaction





- Defence, United Kingdom





### Defence, United Kingdom



HM Treasury’s spending on defence by function: military and civil defence, foreign military aid and defence research. It is not the NATO measure, which counts pensions and some other items differently.



**£65.4bn** in 2025-26 (cash); £65.4bn in 2025-26 prices; £941 per resident; +2.7% on a year earlier in cash, −0.8% in real terms.





| Department or service body | Cash, 2024-25 | Real terms (2025-26 prices) | Per resident | Real change on a year earlier | Source | Below this |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Ministry of Defence](#sd-mod)Details | £68.5bn | £70.9bn | £989 | +6.4% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Broken down below |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£70.9bnPer resident£989Real change on a year earlier+6.4%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisBroken down below | | | | | | |








- Defence, United Kingdom
- Ministry of Defence





### Ministry of Defence



Total departmental expenditure limits: day-to-day (resource) and capital spending, including depreciation. The categories are the MOD’s own, from 2011-12.



**£68.5bn** in 2024-25 (cash); £70.9bn in 2025-26 prices; £989 per resident; +10.8% on a year earlier in cash, +6.4% in real terms.





| Spending category | Cash, 2024-25 | Real terms (2025-26 prices) | Per resident | Real change on a year earlier | Source | Below this |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Personnel Costs](#sd-mod-res-personnel-costs)Details | £15.8bn | £16.4bn | £229 | +4.7% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Broken down below |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£16.4bnPer resident£229Real change on a year earlier+4.7%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisBroken down below | | | | | | |
| Single Use Military Equipment (capital)Details | £10.7bn | £11.1bn | £154 | +5.0% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£11.1bnPer resident£154Real change on a year earlier+5.0%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Equipment Support CostsDetails | £9.4bn | £9.7bn | £135 | +8.7% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£9.7bnPer resident£135Real change on a year earlier+8.7%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Other Capital (Fiscal) (capital)Details | £8.9bn | £9.2bn | £128 | +27.1% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£9.2bnPer resident£128Real change on a year earlier+27.1%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and ImpairmentDetails | £8.3bn | £8.6bn | £120 | +0.2% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£8.6bnPer resident£120Real change on a year earlier+0.2%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Infrastructure CostsDetails | £5.7bn | £5.9bn | £82.58 | +0.8% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£5.9bnPer resident£82.58Real change on a year earlier+0.8%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Other Costs and ServicesDetails | £3.5bn | £3.6bn | £50.45 | +3.3% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£3.6bnPer resident£50.45Real change on a year earlier+3.3%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Research and Development Costs (capital)Details | £3.0bn | £3.1bn | £43.43 | +9.2% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£3.1bnPer resident£43.43Real change on a year earlier+9.2%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Inventory ConsumptionDetails | £1.7bn | £1.8bn | £24.57 | −5.5% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£1.8bnPer resident£24.57Real change on a year earlier−5.5%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| DE&S Bespoke Trading EntityDetails | £1.3bn | £1.3bn | £18.24 | −5.5% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£1.3bnPer resident£18.24Real change on a year earlier−5.5%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| War Pension BenefitsDetails | £654m | £677m | £9.44 | −3.5% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£677mPer resident£9.44Real change on a year earlier−3.5%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Cash Release of ProvisionsDetails | £425m | £440m | £6.13 | −11.0% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£440mPer resident£6.13Real change on a year earlier−11.0%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Arm's Length BodiesDetails | £239m | £247m | £3.45 | +4.8% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£247mPer resident£3.45Real change on a year earlier+4.8%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Research and Development CostsDetails | £232m | £240m | £3.35 | +23.8% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£240mPer resident£3.35Real change on a year earlier+23.8%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| DE&S Bespoke Trading Entity (capital)Details | £207m | £214m | £2.99 | −20.8% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£214mPer resident£2.99Real change on a year earlier−20.8%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Conflict Stability and Security FundDetails | £52m | £54m | £0.75 | −9.1% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£54mPer resident£0.75Real change on a year earlier−9.1%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Arm's Length Bodies (capital)Details | £41m | £42m | £0.59 | +27.0% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£42mPer resident£0.59Real change on a year earlier+27.0%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Conflict Stability and Security Fund (capital)Details | £0m | £0m | £0.00 | — | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£0mPer resident£0.00Real change on a year earlier—Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| New Loans and Loan Repayments (capital)Details | −£5m | −£5m | −£0.07 | — | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)−£5mPer resident−£0.07Real change on a year earlier—Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Fixed Asset/Estate Disposal Costs (capital)Details | −£98m | −£101m | −£1.41 | +63.6% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)−£101mPer resident−£1.41Real change on a year earlier+63.6%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |
| Receipts and Other IncomeDetails | −£1.5bn | −£1.5bn | −£21.36 | −4.3% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | Line or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)−£1.5bnPer resident−£21.36Real change on a year earlier−4.3%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods)Below thisLine or transaction not published: The MOD publishes its individual payments over £25,000 each month, but not by these categories, so no finer breakdown is shown here. | | | | | | |








- Defence, United Kingdom
- [Ministry of Defence](#sd-mod)
- Personnel Costs





### Personnel Costs




**£15.8bn** in 2024-25 (cash); £16.4bn in 2025-26 prices; £229 per resident; +9.0% on a year earlier in cash, +4.7% in real terms.





| Line or transaction | Cash, 2024-25 | Real terms (2025-26 prices) | Per resident | Real change on a year earlier | Source | Below this |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Service Personnel CostsDetails | £13.2bn | £13.6bn | £190 | +6.0% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£13.6bnPer resident£190Real change on a year earlier+6.0%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | | | | | | |
| Civilian Personnel CostsDetails | £2.7bn | £2.8bn | £38.42 | −1.1% | [Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | |
| Real terms (2025-26 prices)£2.8bnPer resident£38.42Real change on a year earlier−1.1%Source[Ministry of Defence](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods) | | | | | | |






Cash is as published. Real terms are in 2025-26 prices, using HM Treasury’s GDP deflator. Per resident divides by
ONS mid-year population for the area the body serves. Changes compare the same body in consecutive years.






## Search the department's payments over £25,000



Every payment of £25,000 or more the department published for the latest year, as published.
See [every department's spending over £25,000](/government-spending-over-25000/) for what each covers.




Ministry of Defence published **31,171 payments** worth
**£15.17bn** to 1,424 suppliers and recipients
from April 2025 to March 2026 (12 of 12 months published).
Payments the MOD judges would harm national security are left out of its files; it publishes a note on these exemptions.



**Gaps and problems in the data, as published (4)**

- The newest payment published is from 2026-03, 6 months before this was read.
- 5 rows were dropped because the date or amount could not be read.
- 41% of rows are under £25,000: the department lists individual lines of larger payments, or publishes some smaller ones. They are kept as published.
- 1 payment is dated after the day this was read, which cannot be right; left out.




Searching needs JavaScript. Every payment is in [one JSON file](/data/spend25k/tx/mod.json).




Source: Ministry of Defence, [spending over £25,000](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mod-finance-transparency-dataset) on GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0.
12 files read, newest updated 2026-05-19; every payment kept is in [one JSON file](/data/spend25k/tx/mod.json).




**Every file read (12)**



- [MOD's spending over £25,000 for March 2026](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0c31b0c75cc34a8ff8f4c4/MOD_s_spending_over_25_000_for_March_2026.ods) (2026-03): 3,378 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD's spending over £25,000 for February 2026](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69eb4307d36883a64473b960/MOD_s_spending_over_25_000_for_February_2026_V2.ods) (2026-02): 2,206 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD’s spending over £25,000 for January 2026](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69a818f1a2495f2d259f143a/MOD_s_spending_over_25_000_for_January_2026.ods) (2026-01): 2,201 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD’s spending over £25,000 for December 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6981c834e8900d4c455f372e/MOD_s_spending_over__25_000_for_December_2025.ods) (2025-12): 2,669 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD's spending over £25,000 for November 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6968d1f43f43dfed1544b099/MODs_spending_over__25_000_for_November_2025.ods) (2025-11): 2,241 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD's spending over £25,000 for October 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693ab1756a12691d48491dfd/MODs_spending_over__25_000_for_October_2025.ods) (2025-10): 4,944 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD's spending over £25,000 for September 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/690cc001276dd02bc451ab52/MOD_s_spending_over__25_000_for_September_2025.ods) (2025-09): 2,562 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD’s spending over £25,000 for August 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68e661d4ef1c2f72bc1e4f13/MOD_s_spending_over__25_000_for_August_2025.ods) (2025-08): 1,936 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD’s spending over £25,000 for July 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c2d77ceeb238b20672a9f5/MOD_s_spending_over__25_000_for_July_2025.ods) (2025-07): 2,526 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD’s spending over £25,000 for June 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6895d37ea6eb81a3f9b2e2a2/MOD_s_spending_over__25_000_for_June_2025.ods) (2025-06): 2,161 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD’s spending over £25,000 for May 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68766bae352c290d20dcaecb/MOD_s_spending_over__25_000_for_May_2025.ods) (2025-05): 2,163 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
- [MOD’s spending over £25,000 for April 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/685d0f07f85b4b993fd75271/MOD_s_spending_over__25_000_for_April_2025.ods) (2025-04): 2,185 rows. Read 2026-09-24.








## Can the plans be paid for?



The last Equipment Plan, for 2023 to 2033, put forecast costs at £305.5bn against a budget
of £288.6bn: a gap of **£16.9bn** (6%). The National Audit Office found the plan unaffordable: forecast costs exceeded the budget by £16.9bn, the largest gap since it began reporting on the plan in 2012.
([National Audit Office, The Equipment Plan 2023 to 2033](https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/equipment-plan-2023-to-2033/), 4 December 2023.)



No Equipment Plan has been published since. The Defence Investment Plan (30 June 2026) replaced it and does not include a costs-against-budget table; the National Audit Office has a review of its affordability under way.





| Year | £ billion |
| --- | --- |
| 2026-27 | £68.3bn |
| 2027-28 | £73.8bn |
| 2028-29 | £76.5bn |
| 2029-30 | £79.1bn |





Planned figures, from [Ministry of Defence, the Defence Investment Plan: funding explainer](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-defence-investment-plan/the-defence-investment-plan-funding-explainer). They are plans, not spending, and are shown apart from the outturn figures on this page.





## Major programmes



The Ministry of Defence had **44** projects in the Government Major Projects Portfolio at
March 2026. 9 were rated red by the independent assessors, meaning successful delivery
appeared unachievable without action; 10 amber, 1 green, and
24 had no published rating. Whole-life costs were published for 24, together
£95.1bn; the other 20 were withheld, most as commercially sensitive.





| Project | Whole-life cost | Rating |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ASTUTE BOATS 1-7Details | £14.4bn | Not rated |
| RatingNot rated | | |
| NAVAL SUPPORT INTEGRATED GLOBAL NETWORK (NSIGN)Details | £14.4bn | Not rated |
| RatingNot rated | | |
| ARMOURED CAVALRY 2025Details | £8.9bn | Red |
| RatingRed | | |
| CORE PRODUCTION CAPABILITYDetails | £7.8bn | Amber |
| RatingAmber | | |
| LAND ENVIRONMENT TACTICAL COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEMSDetails | £7.7bn | Amber |
| RatingAmber | | |
| DEFENCE ESTATE OPTIMISATIONDetails | £5.9bn | Not rated |
| RatingNot rated | | |
| MECHANISED INFANTRY PROGRAMMEDetails | £5.0bn | Amber |
| RatingAmber | | |
| MENSADetails | £3.6bn | Amber |
| RatingAmber | | |





Costs in 2024-25 prices, as the portfolio publishes them. From April 2026 the portfolio was cut to about 80 projects, so next year’s figures will not be comparable. [Every major project, across government](/government-major-projects/).



Source: Ministry of Defence, [Defence departmental resources: 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69651733e8b93f59c3aeccfd/Tables_relating_to_departmental_resources_2025.ods), published 15 January 2026; Ministry of Defence, [Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2025-to-2026), published 15 July 2026.



## What people say about it




### Should defence spending rise faster towards 3% of GDP or beyond?





### Those who say defence spending should rise faster or further



- Rather than kicking the can down the road, waiting for a fiscal event in a future year, will the Prime Minister urgently commit to charting a pathway to reaching 3% of GDP being spent on defence by 2030? Tan Dhesi MP (Labour), chair of the Defence Committee, House of Commons ([3 September 2026](https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/dhesi-presses-pm-on-pathway-to-three-per-cent/)) As quoted by UK Defence Journal (Prime Minister's Questions).
- That's why we are setting out our plans to reach 3% on defence spending by the end of this Parliament through further cuts to welfare and restoring the two-child benefit cap. Kemi Badenoch MP, Conservative leader, Conservative Party ([2 September 2026](https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/kemi-badenoch-tories-welfare-cut-defence-spending-5HjdgsY_2/)) As quoted by LBC.
- Page one of the Review must include a firm commitment to boost defence spending to 3% of GDP as soon as possible. Sir Ed Davey MP, Liberal Democrat leader, Liberal Democrats ([1 June 2025](https://www.libdems.org.uk/press/release/davey-on-strategic-defence-review-get-to-3-faster-and-reverse-troop-cuts))





### Those who stress affordability, or spending existing money better first



- We are going to be in the situation, for the first time in a really long time, where we see both health and defence spending rising as a share of national income. Bee Boileau, economist, Institute for Fiscal Studies ([26 September 2025](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/starmer-nato-pledge-could-add-050000060.html)) As quoted by The Telegraph (via Yahoo News). She also said the £36bn a year needed to reach 3.5% was "not a sum that can be found painlessly".
- But in the midst of these issues, our report finds that the MoD is far behind the curve in preventing the loss of precious public funds which could be spent on keeping our nation safe. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP (Conservative), chair of the Public Accounts Committee ([29 May 2026](https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/127/public-accounts-committee/news/213810/mods-lack-of-focus-and-leadership-leaves-valuable-public-funds-exposed-to-fraud/)) He also said the committee welcomes the aim to spend a rising share of GDP on defence; his concern is the delayed Defence Investment Plan and money lost to fraud and cancelled projects.
- Security is not just based on arms expenditure and threats, but on real leadership that uses diplomacy and development too. Ellie Chowns MP, Green Party defence spokesperson ([2 June 2025](https://greenparty.org.uk/2025/06/02/greens-react-to-starmers-strategic-defence-review/))






Views are attributed to the people and organisations named, with the date and a link to where they said it. This site takes no side.






## What these figures do and don't show



- **Three measures, not one.** HM Treasury’s spending on defence (the long-run chart), the MOD’s departmental limits (the drill-down) and NATO’s core defence spending (the share of GDP) count different things and do not match.
- **Pensions are counted differently.** HM Treasury puts armed forces and war pensions under social protection; NATO counts them in defence.
- **Plans are not spending.** The Defence Investment Plan budget and the commitments are shown as plans, apart from outturn.
- **Headcount is not capability.** Numbers serving say nothing on their own about readiness or equipment.




Figures from data/services/defence.json, generated 29 September 2026.



## Use this data



The figures belong to the bodies that published them and are used under their terms, listed in
[Sources for this page](#sources); most are Crown copyright under the Open Government Licence.
Only our own words, analysis, charts and derived calculations are ours, published under
[CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/): reuse them, including
commercially, if you credit [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk) and link back to this page.



### Download



- [The armed forces: spending, people and commitments: the dataset (CSV)](/data/services/defence.csv)
[JSON](/data/services/defence.json)

- [All data, field definitions and licences](/data/)







## Sources for this page





| Source | Publisher | Figures as of | Updated | Licence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [PESA 2026: chapters 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx) | HM Treasury | 16 July 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [PESA 2021: chapter 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60f573d2d3bf7f56824cc5f3/PESA_2021_CP_Chapter_5.xlsx) | HM Treasury | — | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [PESA 2016: chapter 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f5c21e5274a2e87db561f/PESA_2016_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx) | HM Treasury | — | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [PESA 2011: chapter 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c87a5ed915d6969f45852/pesa_2011_tables_chapter5.xlsx) | HM Treasury | — | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [Historical public finances database](https://obr.uk/download/historical-public-finances-database/?tmstv=1790611197) | Office for Budget Responsibility | — | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [Defence expenditure of NATO countries (2026 release): tables](https://www.nato.int/content/dam/nato/webready/documents/finance/def-exp-2026-en.xlsx) | NATO | — | annual | [Quoted with attribution (the publisher’s own terms)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/30) link only |
| [Quarterly service personnel statistics, 1 July 2026](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab2745d997a4b2950cced1a/Accessible_Excel_tables_to_the_UK_armed_forces_quarterly_service_personnel_statis.xlsx) | Ministry of Defence | 23 September 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |





Each source's figures are used under the licence shown. Our own words, analysis, charts and derived calculations
are ours, under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Published by [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). Our words, analysis, charts and derived calculations: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), credit [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). The figures belong to the publishers listed under Sources and are used under their licences. Figures last updated 29 September 2026.