The distribution of ships roughly follows the four countries' different populations and economies. Britain nevertheless appears to spend more on usable capability than a headline percentage alone reveals. Military pensions and war-memorial expenditure are necessary public obligations, but counting them as current defence capability can distort comparisons. National spending percentages only become meaningful once the contents of each budget are understood.
Notable Point · 3:06:16-3:06:59
When defence spending does not buy current capability
Headline defence expenditure can overstate money available for present forces when pensions, memorials, and other obligations are counted inside the total.