Recommendations & Conclusions
18 items
1
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
It is a testament to the depth of the defence, security and intelligence relationship between the UK and the US that changes in direction and political leadership in both countries have not undermined the relationship. However, that depth requires regular engagement at multiple levels. It cannot be taken for granted.
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It is a testament to the depth of the defence, security and intelligence relationship between the UK and the US that changes in direction and political leadership in both countries have not undermined the relationship. However, that depth requires regular engagement at multiple levels. It cannot be taken for granted.
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Government response AI summary
The Department welcomes the report’s recognition of the depth and breadth of the UK/ US relationship, stating that the US remains the UK’s most important ally and partner.
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Ministry of Defence
2
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
The UK benefits from the UK-US relationship through its access to US military thinking, equipment and research as well as the opportunity to train and deploy alongside US counterparts. The UK-US relationship enhances the UK’s security.
Government response AI summary
The government agrees that the UK derives great value from the US relationship, especially regarding technology, training, and nuclear deterrence, and mentions AUKUS as a platform for further collaboration.
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Ministry of Defence
3
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
It is also important to recognise that the US also benefits from the relationship, through the UK’s expertise in niche capabilities, as well as through the leadership role that the UK plays in NATO. Furthermore, the role the UK has played in co- ordinating assistance to Ukraine has demonstrated not …
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It is also important to recognise that the US also benefits from the relationship, through the UK’s expertise in niche capabilities, as well as through the leadership role that the UK plays in NATO. Furthermore, the role the UK has played in co- ordinating assistance to Ukraine has demonstrated not just to the US but the whole of NATO its reliability as an Ally and partner.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the US values the UK's contribution to international leadership and highlights UK-US cooperation on Ukraine in facilitating military aid.
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Ministry of Defence
4
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Accepted
The UK clearly has some difficult decisions to make about investments in the modernisation of capabilities as a result of current levels of inflation and unfavourable foreign exchange rates. Whilst it is vital to maintain some sort of technology sharing with the US, UK efforts to develop innovative technological solutions …
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The UK clearly has some difficult decisions to make about investments in the modernisation of capabilities as a result of current levels of inflation and unfavourable foreign exchange rates. Whilst it is vital to maintain some sort of technology sharing with the US, UK efforts to develop innovative technological solutions with allies should also look wider afield.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the UK values its capability partnership with the US highly but also continues to pursue capability programmes with different partners and allies across the globe, and that working alongside and being interoperable with our allies and partners, especially NATO, remains an …
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Ministry of Defence
5
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Accepted
The UK should explore the value of linking contracts to increase UK exports to the US and lobby the US Administration to reduce the regulatory burdens placed on UK defence companies.
Government response AI summary
The UK works closely with the US to support UK industry and its interests in global and US markets and is working with the US Administration and Congress to pursue reforms or exemptions for the UK and Australia in areas such as International Traffic in …
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Ministry of Defence
6
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
The outcome of the Doha Agreement was the return of the Taliban to power in a country where the UK lost 457 service personnel and the MOD assessed that it had spent £27.7 billion on Operations Herrick and TORAL. We examine the decisions made in relation to the Doha Agreement …
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The outcome of the Doha Agreement was the return of the Taliban to power in a country where the UK lost 457 service personnel and the MOD assessed that it had spent £27.7 billion on Operations Herrick and TORAL. We examine the decisions made in relation to the Doha Agreement more fully in our Report on Afghanistan. However, it is clear that the signing of the Doha Agreement served domestic US Administration priorities of the time. The absence of other NATO Allies and the Afghan Government at the Doha negotiations meant that decisions taken did not necessarily reflect the interests of all involved.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges that US negotiations were bilateral, and the UK's influence was limited, despite efforts to maintain a strategic direction and broker peace; the UK also requested an extension to the withdrawal date which was rejected.
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Ministry of Defence
7
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
The US have engaged widely with allies and partners on Ukraine. Although this did not deter President Putin from his course of action, it helped to build a unified response. The US is to be commended for its approach in declassifying intelligence and combatting Russian narratives. UK Defence Intelligence have …
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The US have engaged widely with allies and partners on Ukraine. Although this did not deter President Putin from his course of action, it helped to build a unified response. The US is to be commended for its approach in declassifying intelligence and combatting Russian narratives. UK Defence Intelligence have also kept the public informed about the situation on the ground in Ukraine. Their clear and sustained analysis is partly responsible for continuing public support for Ukraine. (Paragraph 37) Special Relationships? US, UK and NATO 35
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the US and UK coordinated the release of sensitive information to expose Russian attempts to fabricate a pretext for invasion and will continue to expose Russia's playbook.
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Ministry of Defence
8
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
We welcome the US public commitment to greater engagement with partners and allies. However, the UK Government needs to encourage the US to engage at the planning stage for any operations that could have an impact on the UK or UK armed forces. (Paragraph 38) The UK-NATO relationship
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We welcome the US public commitment to greater engagement with partners and allies. However, the UK Government needs to encourage the US to engage at the planning stage for any operations that could have an impact on the UK or UK armed forces. (Paragraph 38) The UK-NATO relationship
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the need for closer engagement with allies and welcomes US efforts, citing strategic dialogues and military engagement related to Ukraine as examples of ongoing collaboration.
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Ministry of Defence
9
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Accepted
The UK makes an impressive contribution to NATO. We welcome the decision within the Integrated Review of 2021 to ensure that the UK maintained its prominent role in NATO. However, we are concerned that if the Government fails to protect the defence budget from inflationary and foreign exchange pressures combined …
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The UK makes an impressive contribution to NATO. We welcome the decision within the Integrated Review of 2021 to ensure that the UK maintained its prominent role in NATO. However, we are concerned that if the Government fails to protect the defence budget from inflationary and foreign exchange pressures combined with the withdrawal of a battle group from Estonia, it will send the wrong message to Allies and adversaries alike. Unity is vital in understanding what the threat is and how best to counter it.
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Government response AI summary
The Department highlights that the UK will continue to spend a minimum of 2% of GDP on defence and is set to spend more than 2% this financial year, that the Prime Minister has provided Defence additional support in the Spring Budget of £5 billion …
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Ministry of Defence
10
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
The Joint Expeditionary Force has proven itself to be effective, acting as a force multiplier for both its constituent countries and NATO. We have heard that the UK should focus its efforts within NATO on the High North. Given that UK Defence is calling for greater NATO focus on the …
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The Joint Expeditionary Force has proven itself to be effective, acting as a force multiplier for both its constituent countries and NATO. We have heard that the UK should focus its efforts within NATO on the High North. Given that UK Defence is calling for greater NATO focus on the High North, it appears obvious that under the SACEUR’s new regional plans the UK should be looking to reinforce the borders of its JEF counterparts. We therefore recommend that the Government ensure that it has the necessary personnel and capabilities available to lead NATO operations in the High North.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the JEF's effectiveness and states that it will complement NATO and national response capabilities by aligning JEF activity with NATO’s Regional Plans, homeland defence plans and peacetime vigilance activity.
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Ministry of Defence
11
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
We welcome the likely accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO. We recommend that the Government continue to engage with interlocuters in both Hungary and Türkiye to lobby for ratification in the near future.
Government response AI summary
The Government welcomes Finland joining NATO and reiterates its commitment to Sweden's accession, stating it will continue to encourage Turkey and Hungary to ratify Sweden's membership.
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Ministry of Defence
12
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
NATO has been revitalised by the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine—there is a unity of purpose and agreement on what the threat posed is. However, it is still in the relatively early stages of its shift to refocusing on the defence of continental Europe, and political and technological developments are …
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NATO has been revitalised by the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine—there is a unity of purpose and agreement on what the threat posed is. However, it is still in the relatively early stages of its shift to refocusing on the defence of continental Europe, and political and technological developments are required to ensure NATO maintains its technological edge.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has underlined NATO’s role in deterring threats to Allies, and convening Allies around key issues like support for Ukraine, and highlights steps NATO is taking to address technological challenges.
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Ministry of Defence
13
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
We welcome NATO-EU engagement, both on China and defence capabilities, where it is complementary, rather than duplicative. We are also supportive of the UK’s application to join PESCO. (Paragraph 82) Wider issues
Government response AI summary
The government shares the Committee’s view on the benefit of NATO-EU engagement and supports the UK’s application to join the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Military Mobility project.
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Ministry of Defence
14
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
It is clear that the UK and its NATO Allies have allowed ammunition stockpiles to dwindle to dangerously low levels. Whilst Russia is also facing the diminution of its stockpiles, other adversaries are able to maintain and potentially increase their own. This inability to replenish UK stockpiles therefore puts at …
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It is clear that the UK and its NATO Allies have allowed ammunition stockpiles to dwindle to dangerously low levels. Whilst Russia is also facing the diminution of its stockpiles, other adversaries are able to maintain and potentially increase their own. This inability to replenish UK stockpiles therefore puts at risk not just our ability to resupply Ukraine but also to counter any threat to our own security.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the UK has been leading work in NATO on industrial capacity and stockpile replenishment, aiming for an action plan to strengthen the industrial base and increase standardization.
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Ministry of Defence
15
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
Defence industrial capacity needs to be both resilient and scalable. In order to secure supply chains the Secretary of State acknowledged that the Government needs to address skills shortages as well as committing to significant orders alongside allies 36 Special Relationships? US, UK and NATO to ensure that production lines …
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Defence industrial capacity needs to be both resilient and scalable. In order to secure supply chains the Secretary of State acknowledged that the Government needs to address skills shortages as well as committing to significant orders alongside allies 36 Special Relationships? US, UK and NATO to ensure that production lines are maintained in the long term and to replace stockpiles of munitions in the short term. Capacity (including redundant capacity) is also key if industry is to be able to ramp up production.
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Government response AI summary
The Department's Munitions Planning Cycle for 2022 was endorsed in April 2023, taking on board both early lessons learned from Ukraine and DSTL analysis; the Autumn Statement provided the Department with £560 million to bolster munitions stockpiles and industrial resilience, and work to industrial capacity …
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Ministry of Defence
16
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Accepted in Part
It is clear that the manner in which Western Governments procure armaments is not fit for purpose. The MOD produced a strategy aimed at improving the way that it engages with industry and allies almost two years ago and yet we have been told it will take at least a …
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It is clear that the manner in which Western Governments procure armaments is not fit for purpose. The MOD produced a strategy aimed at improving the way that it engages with industry and allies almost two years ago and yet we have been told it will take at least a decade to replenish (and then increase to a sustainable level) UK ammunition stockpiles. We have previously recommended that the Department report annually on its implementation of the Defence, Security and Industrial Strategy—a recommendation which was ignored. We therefore recommend that the Department produce an action plan of how it intends to grow defence industrial capacity and reduce the time taken to replenish UK stockpiles. We further recommend that the Department brief this and other relevant Committees on the steps required to fulfil those goals.
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights actions already underway to work with industry to replenish stockpiles, including establishing a replenishment team and placing contracts for various weapon systems, and states that they will outline how they are working more closely with industry in the upcoming Defence Command Paper …
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Ministry of Defence
17
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Accepted
We welcome the Government’s acknowledgement that resilience requires investment in increasing the medium and high skills base. We recommend that the MOD enter into a joint programme of work with other relevant Government Departments to identify and remove barriers which stop UK educational institutions from preparing their students to become …
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We welcome the Government’s acknowledgement that resilience requires investment in increasing the medium and high skills base. We recommend that the MOD enter into a joint programme of work with other relevant Government Departments to identify and remove barriers which stop UK educational institutions from preparing their students to become the workers required for the UK defence industrial base. Furthermore, we recommend that the MOD pilot a procurement approach whereby a set percentage of apprentices are required to be attached to an acquisition programme.
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Government response AI summary
The Department is working with industry to nurture and develop relevant skills in the sectors, including through sharing expertise, making it easier for people to move between Government and industry, and greater outreach by defence and security departments to identify and attract potential talent and …
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Ministry of Defence
18
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? U…
Acknowledged
The events of the past year demonstrate the need for effective deterrence against aggressive actions which undermine the rules-based international order. The UK must work within NATO to ensure that there is an agreed approach and unity of action. But capable, sustainable armed forces are also a vital part of …
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The events of the past year demonstrate the need for effective deterrence against aggressive actions which undermine the rules-based international order. The UK must work within NATO to ensure that there is an agreed approach and unity of action. But capable, sustainable armed forces are also a vital part of a credible deterrence. Adversaries must believe that the UK (alongside Allies and partners) will retaliate against aggressive actions which undermine the international rule of law, making aggressors pay a disproportionate price. (Paragraph 102) Special Relationships? US, UK and NATO 37
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Government response AI summary
The government concurs with the committee regarding the importance of effective deterrence and highlights NATO's transformation and unity in the face of Russian aggression.
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Ministry of Defence