Notwithstanding that UK debt to GDP is now above 100% and rising with a current account deficit of £21.1bln in the first quarter of 2020 Boris Johnson's Government has decided to splash out on defence spending as this will apparently "extend British influence." Johnson says he wishes to make the UK the 'foremost naval power in Europe', a laudible aim no doubt.
So how much? £16.5bn in the next four years. This is on top of the Government's pledge to keep defence spending at 0.5% ahead of inflation (currently at 0.7%) during the life of this Government.
"He said the government would seek to "develop the next generation of warships, including multi-role research vessels and Type 32 frigates".
Mr Johnson also outlined plans to focus the expanded defence budget on "technologies that will revolutionise warfare", such as "directed energy weapons" that employ "inexhaustible lasers".
He told MPs of a £1.5bn investment in military research and development, a new centre dedicated to Artificial Intelligence and a new RAF Space Command that will launch British satellites and "our first rocket from Scotland in 2022".
https://news.sky.com/story/boris-joh...udget-12136302
UK Defence projects have a history of coming in late and overpriced... the two new carriers were originally cost at £3.5bln and came in at over £6bln.
So how much? £16.5bn in the next four years. This is on top of the Government's pledge to keep defence spending at 0.5% ahead of inflation (currently at 0.7%) during the life of this Government.
"He said the government would seek to "develop the next generation of warships, including multi-role research vessels and Type 32 frigates".
Mr Johnson also outlined plans to focus the expanded defence budget on "technologies that will revolutionise warfare", such as "directed energy weapons" that employ "inexhaustible lasers".
He told MPs of a £1.5bn investment in military research and development, a new centre dedicated to Artificial Intelligence and a new RAF Space Command that will launch British satellites and "our first rocket from Scotland in 2022".
https://news.sky.com/story/boris-joh...udget-12136302
UK Defence projects have a history of coming in late and overpriced... the two new carriers were originally cost at £3.5bln and came in at over £6bln.
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