The U.K. defense budget in 2008/2009 will be about $68.3 billion, the Minister for Defence Equipment & Support, Baroness Taylor, said March 27.
Commenting on a House of Commons Defence Select Committee report on defense equipment in 2008, Taylor said: “We are in the longest period of sustained real growth in the Defence budget for over 20 years. We keep spending plans under regular review, as we are doing in the current planning round for both equipment and the wider Defence program, to ensure that we continue to spend money on the right priorities and balance our current commitments with those that may arise in the future.”
The House of Commons report praised the speed of delivery of vital equipment to front line forces under the Urgent Operational Requirement process.
The committee report also acknowledged the complexity of merging the Defense Logistics Organization with the Defence Procurement Agency in creating the Defence Equipment and Support organization while supporting two major operations.
“Our aim is to increase effectiveness and I welcome the comments that the merger was completed within the timetable set and acknowledges the progress the organization achieved within the first year of operation,” Taylor said.
MoD’s equipment programs are large and complex offering challenges to delivery and technology, she said. “We are putting the changes in place to improve the delivery of our equipment programs to our Armed Forces. We appreciate the agreement that Through Life Capability Management and its focus on doctrine, training as well as equipment and support will bring significant benefits to the Armed Forces.”