Stable requirements as a defence economy measure

Is Britain's defence budget too small, or is the problem mainly waste?

Both matter, but changing requirements create significant waste; a more stable programme and some higher spending would improve the position.

Late changes of mind and repeated capability additions are major sources of defence-procurement waste. Money spent stopping, delaying, or revising carrier work could otherwise have bought useful equipment. Holding senior requirements steady would therefore improve value even before the budget grew. British defence spending should still rise in this assessment, which cites a contemporary outside estimate near three percent of GDP while remaining more confident about naval requirements than the needs of every service.