UK defence in numbers 2023: sources
Published 2 April 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-defence-in-numbers-2023/uk-defence-in-numbers-2023-sources
UK Defence in Numbers 2023 provides figures from a wide range of published official statistics and other releases, as well as numbers published for the first time. Further information on the sources of the statistics can be found below. Additional Defence statistics can be found via the Statistics at MOD pages on gov.uk.
MOD Spending
Page 6 and 7: Defence spending:
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MOD Departmental Resources 2023, Tables 1 and 3 in associated ODS tables
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MOD Annual Report and Accounts, 2022/23, pages 8-9
International defence
Page 8: Spending Commitments: MOD Annual Report and Accounts, 2022/23.
Page 9: Global defence budgets: IISS Military Balance 2023 All prices are presented in US Dollars, which were calculated using average market exchange rates for 2022, derived using IMF data.
Where we spend our money
Page 10 and 11 : MOD spending with UK Industry: MOD Regional Expenditure with Industry 2022/23, Tables 2 and 6 and in associated ODS tables.
Page 12 and 13: Total Jobs Supported by MOD:
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Jobs supported by MOD spending with industry: MOD Regional Expenditure with UK Industry and Commerce and Supported Employment 2021/22, Table 11 in associated ODS tables figures for jobs supported in 2022/23 will be available later in the summer
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Location of UK Regulars and Civilian personnel: Location Statistics for UK Regular Armed Forces and Civilians 2023, Table 2.1a in associated ODS tables
Page14: MOD spending with key suppliers: MOD Trade, Industry and Contracts, 2023 Table 4a in associated ODS tables.
Page 15: Planned expenditure on equipment and support: Defence Equipment Plan 2023-2033 Table 8 in supporting data tables.
Our people
Page 16:
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Service and Reserve Personnel numbers: Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics, October 2023, Regular Trained Strength numbers in Tables 3a in associated ODS tables. Future Reserves 2020 Trained Strength in Table 6a
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Civilian Workforce numbers: MOD Biannual Civilian Personnel Report October 2023, Table 1 in associated ODS tables
Page 17:
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Apprentices: The latest figures as at 1 October 2023 have been produced by sources within MOD. The figures include all apprenticeship places taken up that meet the Skills Funding Agency definition for an apprenticeship. While these numbers have been quality assured, they have not undergone the full quality assurance process that would be used for Official Statistics
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Cadets: MOD Annual Report and Accounts, 2022/23, page 47
Page 18: MOD Civilian Professions: Civil Service Statistics 2023 Table 8a in associated ODS tables.
Page 19:
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Civilian personnel biannual diversity dashboard: MOD Diversity Dashboard, October 2023
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Military diversity statistics: UK Armed Forces biannual diversity Statistics, October 2023
Global networks
Page 20-21: Global locations of UK Regulars: Location Statistics for UK Regular Armed Forces and Civilians 2023, Table 1.1a in associated ODS tables.
Page 22: Defence Exports: Department for Business and Trade UK Defence Export Statistics 2022, Charts 2 and 3.
Page 23: Defence Attachés : MOD Annual Report and Accounts, 2022/23, page 29. The regional breakdown of attachés has been provided by sources within MOD.
International procurement
Page 24-25: International Procurements. MOD Trade, Industry and Contracts, 2023, OCCAR Work Programmes.
Defence Activities
Page 26:
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Figures on MOD activities can be found in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2022/23, page 18
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Deployments on UN Peacekeeping operations: Contributions by Country and Mission, as at 31 October 2023. Mission in Cyprus – UNFICYP; Mission in Somalia – UNSOM AND UNSOS
Page 27: Support to Ukraine: House of Commons Library.
The King’s Coronation
Page 28-29: The King’s Coronation: Armed Forces personnel involved in the Coronation of King Charles III were produced by sources within MOD.
Sustainability
Page 30-31: MOD’s performance against Greening Government Commitments: MOD Annual Report and Accounts, 2022/23, page 54 .
Science and technology
Page 32: Science and Technology: MOD Annual Report and Accounts, 2022/23, pages 35 and 111.
Defence estate
Page 33: Defence Estate: MOD Land Holdings 2022/23. Data on sites of special scientific interest and national parks is sourced from MOD Annual Report and Accounts, 2022/23, pages 53 to 54.
Dambusters 80th anniversary
Page 34: Dambusters 80th Anniversary: www.raf.mod.uk.
Further Information
Produced by Analysis Directorate (Analysis-Expenditure)
Email: Analysis-Expenditure-PQ-FOI@mod.gov.uk
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