Analysis: UK government goes on decommissioning spree to balance defence budget
HMS Albion heads into the sunset, alongside other vessels and equipment. (Photo: MoD)
UK defence secretary John Healey has announced the cancellation and decommissioning of naval and air force platforms to enable the government to “re-invest money in the armed forces” ahead of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review.
The UK government will expedite the decommissioning of significant tranches of air and naval vessels and equipment in a bid to claw back £500 million (US$632 million) over the course of the next five years.
UK defence secretary John Healey told the House of Commons that the strategic decommissioning would free up funds that would then be re-invested in the armed forces, to help the government meet its spending target of 2.5% of GDP on defence.
Almost immediately on being elected in July 2024, the Labour-led government instigated a comprehensive Strategic Defence Review, which is not expected to report
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Saab to explore possible Gripen production in Canada]()
Saab to explore possible Gripen production in Canada
The potential expansion of production comes in the wake of Ukraine signing a letter of intent with Sweden for Gripen jets.
-
![Evolving for the future fight]()
Evolving for the future fight
Built on a 60-year heritage of providing the Department of Defense with solutions to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum.
-
![Embraer sees 27% uptick in Q3 defence revenue, progress in NATO and India campaigns]()
Embraer sees 27% uptick in Q3 defence revenue, progress in NATO and India campaigns
The company also affirmed that it would maintain its current trajectory and remain “on track” for its full-year guidance.
-
![South Korea: $16.64 billion in as-yet-unawarded contracts up for grabs in the air domain]()
South Korea: $16.64 billion in as-yet-unawarded contracts up for grabs in the air domain
South Korea’s military air market is the 12th largest in the world when it comes to unawarded procurement programmes, with an estimated US$7.50 billion potentially set to be awarded over the next decade.
