UK defence - what we buy and sell (and what gets stolen)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/defence-and-security-blog/2012/feb/02/defence-spending-theft

Version 0 of 1.

Two different documents, on two very different issues, have been published on defence this week.

One was a White Paper - National Security Through Technology, which explains how the Ministry of Defence intends to prioritise its spending and investment.

And the second was a paper deposited in the House of Commons about theft from the Ministry of Defence. Both contain some interesting figures.

The White Paper wasn't very different from the Green Paper (apparently). But inside its 63-pages, there are some great statistics which give you a feel for the size of the security industy, and the influence it must have.

• The MoD uses more than 1 billion litres of fuel each year to power equipment • There are around 300,000 jobs in the UK associated with UK defence • The UK spends around £18bn for defence purposes with manufacturing and service companies in the UK every year • The UK domestic market for security is valued at £1.8bn • The global market for security products is valued at £260bn • The government bought £27bn worth of defence equipment and services in the financial year 2010/11 • This accounted for 11 per cent of all public sector procurement - the third highest after health and social protection • Sales to the MoD account for almost one third of the UK shipbuilding industry's turnover, and more than 10 per cent in the aerospace sector • More than 100 UK companies are involved in the supply chain for the new Joint Strike Fighter programme • The UK security sector comprises 9,000 companies • At least 1.2 per cent of the defence budget will be spent on investment in science and technology

The second document was put in the House of Commons and outlines the "Thefts and Missing Items (not recovered) since March 2011."

The eclectic list of stolen items includes

• Morphine - £1064 • Snare Drum - £250 • Lead statue - £2,400 • Catalytic Converters - £32,000 • Bearskin - £750 • Paintball equipment - £600 • X-Box 360 - £280 • Lawn Mower - £250 • Sit-on lawn mower - £1,000 • Historical Broadswords - £5,500 • Carparking signs - £170 • Telescopic Rods - £67,700