Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Accelerate and deepen defence and security cooperation with EU and European partners on Russia threat
Recommendation
The Government should ensure that it accelerates and further deepens defence and security cooperation with the EU and European partners, particularly France, on the threat posed by Russia and the countries that enable it, notably China. As a nuclear power, it is incumbent upon the UK to lead discussions within Europe on forming a coherent response. (Recommendation, Paragraph 7)
Government Response Summary
The government states it continues to deepen defence and security cooperation with European partners, citing existing initiatives like the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, contributions to NATO's Eastern Flank, and agreements with France, Germany, and Norway, as well as engaging China on support for Russia.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The UK continues to deepen defence and security cooperation with European partners, both bilaterally and through mini-lateral and multilateral formats. This contributes towards the strengthening of deterrence and defence in Europe and to countering the threat posed by Russia. The UK’s support to Ukraine is steadfast and is underpinned by our joint leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG). The Defence Secretary co-chaired the 32nd meeting of the UDCG with Germany in December 2025 and announced that the UK has committed £600 million in air defence capabilities to Ukraine. Our support to Ukraine complements collective NATO efforts to reinforce deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank. The UK recently contributed two Typhoon aircraft and a Voyager tanker to Eastern Sentry, a multi-national enhanced vigilance activity which ensures the security of Alliance territory in response to airspace incursions. This follows on from the success of CHESSMAN, the UK’s RAF air policing deployment to Poland last year. The UK deployment was augmented by a detachment of Swedish Gripen fighter jets - the first time Swedish combat aircraft took part in air policing from the territory of another ally. Over 3,000 UK troops took part in NATO’s Exercise Hedgehog in May 2025, designed to demonstrate the alliance’s ability to deploy forces rapidly in contested environments. For the first time the UK’s 4th Light Brigade fully integrated into the Estonian division. Over 17,000 personnel from 12 NATO allies and partners participated in Exercise Hedgehog, including Poland, the United States and France. This level of integration was further demonstrated during Operation HIGHMAST in 2025, during which the UK transferred operational authority of the Carrier Strike Group to NATO. The Carrier Strike Group achieved Full Operating Capability on its return from HIGHMAST, confirming that the UK can deploy a fully integrated and combat-credible carrier task group worldwide. Our commitment to collective security extends beyond NATO operations and is reflected in the growing strength of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) with the UK as Framework Nation. In September and October 2025, the JEF undertook its largest and most significant military activity in its 11- year history, Exercise TARASSIS, across the Nordic-Baltic region. This was coordinated by UK Standing Joint Force Headquarters and involved 1,700 UK personnel. In parallel, the UK has secured several major multibillionpound defence export successes to deepen defence and security cooperation with EU and European partners; this includes the future Type 26 frigate programme for Norway (valued at approximately £10 billion); the NAREW air defence system for Poland (£8 billion); and the Typhoon fighter jet programme for Türkiye (£8 billion). The Type 26 is the most advanced ship of its type and will spearhead the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability, enhancing UK and NATO security and deterrence in the High North for the next generation. The agreement is of huge benefit to Scotland; it is the biggest ever UK warship export deal by value, supporting shipbuilding on the Clyde until at least 2040 and over 1,700 Scottish jobs. NATO’s southeastern flank defended by the Turkish Air Force, equipped with Typhoon, will significantly strengthen NATO too. This can be deployed across the full spectrum of operations, from air policing to high intensity conflict. The UK has furthermore negotiated several major agreements with our EU partners, including Lancaster House 2.0 with France, the Trinity House Agreement with Germany and the Lunna House agreement with Norway. The UK’s Security and Defence Partnership aims to increase cooperation with the EU in support of NATO in the context of growing geopolitical uncertainty. The UK continues to engage China at all levels to press China not to support—politically, militarily, or financially—Russia’s illegal war. During the January 2025 Economic and Financial Dialogue in Beijing, the Chancellor urged Vice Premier He Lifeng to cease Chinese support for Russia’s defence industrial base. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) explicitly recognises Chinese support for Russia as a challenge, and the UK has sanctioned 31 China-based entities under the Russia sanctions regulations.