UK was responsible for 22.5% of defence spending by all EU-NATO members

Latest defence spend figures from NATO for 2020 revealed

Montage © Facts4EU.Org 2022

And still no ‘thank you’ from the EU Commission for the UK continuing to defend the EU

NATO’s latest figures for defence spending now cover 2020 – the last year in which the UK was a member of the EU. Facts4EU.Org reveals how much the UK and other EU-NATO member countries actually spent.

In previous reports we have shown how the other EU-NATO countries were underspending on defence, based on the NATO minimum of 2% of GDP. We looked at how badly EU-NATO members were doing in meeting this agreed minimum percentage. (These are all available in our Brexit Index.)

Today’s report shows the actual defence expenditure of each country and how the United Kingdom’s commitment dwarfs that of the majority of EU countries.

Brexit Facts4EU.Org Summary

NATO’s latest official defence spend figures – 2020

In billions of US dollars, as reported by NATO

UK leads on defence
Germany's economy is 41% higher than the UK's but spends 8% less

French sleight of hand and German dis-proportionality

It is not generally recognised that some countries’ figures for “defence spending” are distorted by what their governments include in them.

For example, most readers will not be aware that the French Gendarmerie is classified as a paramilitary force. In reality they are just police. Take this element out and France’s figure above would look very different.

When it comes to Germany it must also be remembered that the German economy is by far the largest in Europe. According to the World Bank, in 2020 Germany’s GDP was 41% higher than that of the United Kingdom. And yet its defence spending was nearly 8% lower.

Despite having left the EU, the UK continues to defend it

Only last week it was announced by the MoD that the RAF sent four fighter jets to EU member countries Sweden and Finland – two Typhoons and two of the most modern F35B Lightnings. Joint exercises have been being conducted with the Swedish and Finnish air forces.

These forward deployments, which took place over the last month at the request of the host nations, allowed the partner air forces to develop their joint tactics and strengthen their ability to operate alongside each other.

[Source: Ministry of Defence, 10 July 2022]

Photo credit: SAC Tim Laurence, RAF
Click to enlarge

As we have previously reported, British armed forces from all branches of the UK’s military have been deployed to the EU, from its most northern flank all the way down to the Mediterranean, and from Portugal in the west to Bulgaria in the east.

Observations

A pertinent question for our next Prime Minister might be to ask the EU Commission if they would like the United Kingdom to continue to defend the EU.

If so, perhaps they might like to make a contribution to the cost of doing this? At the very least they could drop their hostile and aggressive behaviour towards the UK, stop France's illegal migrants from crossing the English Channel, agree to ditch the N.I. Protocol, and waive their ridiculous £39bn 'divorce bill'.

A show of some gratitude would not go amiss.

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[ Sources: NATO ] Politicians and journalists can contact us for details, as ever.

Brexit Facts4EU.Org, Sun 17 July 2022

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Reader Comments 5

1. Melvyn Thomas , Sunday, July 17, 2022, 07:43:

Not until all the countries contribute equally using the same accounting methods.

2. Adam , Sunday, July 17, 2022, 09:09:

Why should We protect the ungrateful Europeans after the disgraceful anti-British rhetoric from the EU Commission for daring to leave their pipedream of a single Country called Europe the next UK PM needs to increase spending on the UK military We should not keep on relying on the US to help us out all the time

3. LuxuryBalloon , Sunday, July 17, 2022, 11:49:

I always separate the EU vs NATO … they are two different institutions.

4. Jon, Wales , Sunday, July 17, 2022, 12:51:

The EU Commission and its hangers on forever try to put down the United Kingdom and threaten us in all manner of ways.
So, as the unelected and unaccountable EU commission speak for ALL EU member countries, one must ask, WHY should we listen to them.
It would be fair to suggest the UK ignores the commission and we do our own thing, regardless of the sulking EU.
Importantly, I do not believe UK taxpayers should be defending a very hostile [to the UK] EU commission. We have our own shores to defend thank you.
I would also wish to see the G7 represented by G7 leaders, without the addition of EU commission heads.
The UK is a huge trading market for EU companies, so perhaps we should change the rhetoric in the population by suggesting that if the EU wish to do business with the UK, let them come to us. EU companies have done very well out of the UK over our many years as members.
-
Some may find this point controversial, but as Ukraine is to join the EU - WHY should UK taxpayers offer further military protection and training.
I believe Ukraine is making a huge error and their people may not fully realise what they're getting themselves into - where they will be governed by unaccountable faceless bureaucrats in Brussels whom they CANNOT remove from power.
Ukraine fights to seek independence over their own country, yet WILL come under the unaccountable cosh of Brussels who will CONTROL every aspect of their lives.
Whilst I have every sympathy for Ukraine, can we please see UK Members of Parliament proudly wearing a United Kingdom lapel badge in our House of Commons?

5. Derek Lund , Monday, July 18, 2022, 22:05:

4. Jon, Wales; you make some good points. Why indeed should the UK risk the lives of our armed forces and spend such huge amounts in defending those who want to use trade as a weapon against us? For what? Why not stand by and let Putin's Russia take Ukraine with Poland and then Germany to follow?
Unfortunately it's not a simple case of "us" and "them"; not all NATO members are EU members and not all EU members are NATO members. Perhaps, with some UK and USA prompting, NATO should get tougher and tell its laggard members to either pay up or ship out. And once the new cabinet have worked out how to distinguish their elbows from other parts of their anatomy, perhaps the UK Gov't will tell the EU to think themselves lucky to have our NATO contribution and to pipe down on all other matters.
Regarding Ukraine, I don't get it. They might be naive or they might simply want yet another alliance to wave at the Russians only to abandon their membership application when the time is right.

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