United Kingdom Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1950–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$92.4 billion
Ranked #6 of 153 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
2.5%
Ranked #55 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+5.0%
From $88.0B in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$96.8 billion
Reached in 2027
United Kingdom Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, United Kingdom is estimated to have spent $92.4 billion on military and defense, representing 2.5% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. United Kingdom is the #6 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 5.0%, from $88.0 billion to $92.4 billion. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 11.0% in 1953. The historical average military budget is 4.5% of GDP.
Data source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. Values are in constant 2024 US dollars. Data for 2026 is an estimate based on government budget announcements.
Historical Military Spending
Military Spending (% of GDP)
Military Spending (USD Billions, 2024 prices)
Historical Data
| Year | Percent of GDP | USD (millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 2027(estimate) | 2.60% | $96,783M |
| 2026(estimate) | 2.50% | $92,384M |
| 2025 | 2.35% | $87,985M |
| 2024 | 2.44% | $89,815M |
| 2023 | 2.15% | $78,167M |
| 2022 | 2.01% | $73,189M |
| 2021 | 2.04% | $72,051M |
| 2020 | 2.14% | $70,959M |
| 2019 | 1.97% | $69,849M |
| 2018 | 1.93% | $67,064M |
| 2017 | 1.94% | $66,563M |
| 2016 | 1.97% | $66,441M |
| 2015 | 2.04% | $66,674M |
| 2014 | 2.17% | $69,339M |
| 2013 | 2.28% | $70,601M |
| 2012 | 2.41% | $73,280M |
| 2011 | 2.49% | $75,373M |
| 2010 | 2.56% | $78,011M |
| 2009 | 2.63% | $79,344M |
| 2008 | 2.48% | $78,093M |
| 2007 | 2.37% | $74,818M |
| 2006 | 2.36% | $72,835M |
| 2005 | 2.42% | $72,502M |
| 2004 | 2.48% | $71,831M |
| 2003 | 2.54% | $70,950M |
| 2002 | 2.47% | $66,234M |
| 2001 | 2.39% | $62,518M |
| 2000 | 2.35% | $60,136M |
| 1999 | 2.41% | $58,949M |
| 1998 | 2.48% | $59,265M |
| 1997 | 2.54% | $59,072M |
| 1996 | 2.71% | $61,247M |
| 1995 | 2.84% | $61,838M |
| 1994 | 3.38% | $65,930M |
| 1993 | 3.59% | $67,795M |
| 1992 | 3.86% | $71,040M |
| 1991 | 4.12% | $76,058M |
| 1990 | 3.98% | $75,189M |
| 1989 | 4.04% | $75,082M |
| 1988 | 4.21% | $74,427M |
| 1987 | 4.69% | $77,160M |
| 1986 | 5.06% | $78,011M |
| 1985 | 5.32% | $78,986M |
| 1984 | 5.51% | $78,251M |
| 1983 | 5.40% | $74,554M |
| 1982 | 5.38% | $71,379M |
| 1981 | 4.98% | $65,471M |
| 1980 | 5.02% | $66,838M |
| 1979 | 4.68% | $62,680M |
| 1978 | 4.73% | $60,780M |
| 1977 | 4.92% | $58,908M |
| 1976 | 5.18% | $61,596M |
| 1975 | 5.34% | $62,512M |
| 1974 | 5.07% | $59,501M |
| 1973 | 4.91% | $59,485M |
| 1972 | 5.17% | $59,288M |
| 1971 | 5.08% | $55,738M |
| 1970 | 5.20% | $55,863M |
| 1969 | 5.50% | $54,234M |
| 1968 | 5.94% | $57,390M |
| 1967 | 6.24% | $58,219M |
| 1966 | 6.25% | $56,769M |
| 1965 | 6.44% | $57,073M |
| 1964 | 6.60% | $56,903M |
| 1963 | 6.80% | $55,402M |
| 1962 | 6.94% | $54,472M |
| 1961 | 6.92% | $53,781M |
| 1960 | 7.09% | $53,834M |
| 1959 | 7.29% | $52,743M |
| 1958 | 7.62% | $53,011M |
| 1957 | 7.99% | $54,438M |
| 1956 | 8.56% | $56,375M |
| 1955 | 9.09% | $57,438M |
| 1954 | 10.06% | $60,324M |
| 1953 | 10.96% | $63,541M |
| 1952 | 10.37% | $57,192M |
| 1951 | 8.30% | $44,709M |
| 1950 | 7.21% | $37,972M |