Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Department reaffirms NATO's growing strategic importance, emphasising standardisation and interoperability among members.
Conclusion
At our evidence session the Department had reiterated the importance of NATO to its strategic outlook and noted that one theme of the SDR’s terms of reference is thinking ‘NATO-first’, when considering policy, capability requirements and procurement .43 The Department said that NATO is now stronger following recent geopolitical developments: its membership has increased to 32 with the addition of Finland and Sweden; it is refreshing its operational plans so that they are in a better state, with member nations knowing how they best fit in and what capabilities are required; and total NATO defence spending has increased enormously, predominantly through European countries.44 One area of renewed emphasis is on NATO’s planning, meaning that the 32 nations can operate collectively, with each knowing its place in NATO’s war plans. NATO is also reemphasising the importance of standardisation and the interoperability of equipment between members, which the conference of national armaments directors is working to address.45 41 Q 4; Ministry of Defence, Strategic Defence Review 2024–2025: Terms of Reference, 17 July 2024 42 Q 6 43 Qq 26 and 41 44 Qq 23 - 26 45 Q 26 14
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 16 September 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗