Reacting to the report Prospect is arguing that defence spending needs to be a priority to meet existing, new and emerging threats to the UK.
Garry Graham Prospect deputy general secretary, said:
“The defence and equipment budget is coming under increased pressure which has been compounded by the devaluation of the Pound as a result of Brexit.
"In an increasingly uncertain world, the government commitment to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence looks increasingly inadequate and unrealistic.
"It is vital that the UK maintains its sovereign capability and spending is proportionate to the threats we face as a nation”.
The civilian defence sector is crucial to the defence of the UK and is a vital part of our sovereign capability and our industrial infrastructure. It is a key contributor to our national and local economies, providing high quality skilled jobs which underpin the defence of the UK and contribute to our international exports.
At a time of increased uncertainty both in terms of international security and economically we are seeing thousands of skilled jobs being lost across the defence sector in shipbuilding, aerospace and in the land domain. The UK will pay a price for this both in the short and long term.
Over the past four decades, defence spending has averaged at 3% of GDP. In an increasingly uncertain world where the first duty of the nation state is to defend their citizens the current level of spending is not sustainable. The government needs to come forward with a coherent defence industrial strategy which supports our sovereign defence capability and keeps us safe.