What is known, what is not known, and what is it necessary to know for informed choices about defence R&D? The published data on government-funded defence R&D are reviewed and assessed. Time-series and cross-section data are presented for the world’s leading defence R&D nations. World defence R&D spending is estimated at almost $68 billion in 2001. Gaps in the data are identified and proposals are made for international comparisons of final outputs allowing an assessment of the relative efficiencies of national defence R&D programmes.
Hartley, Keith, 2006. ‘Defence R&D: Data Issues’, Defence and Peace Economics17(3): 169-175.