Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Assess UK leadership in replacing US defence capabilities and supporting EU development programmes
Recommendation
The US needs to see European investment in defence capabilities for there to be any chance of an orderly transition of responsibilities. The Government should assess where the UK can lead in terms of replacing US capabilities in the event of them being withdrawn and establishing how it can best support EU capability development programmes, particularly those referenced in ‘ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030’, thereby increasing the crossover between NATO and EU capability development. The Government must ensure that it plays a leading role and expends every effort to hold the NATO Alliance together. (Recommendation, Paragraph 15)
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 30 January 2026. Response attribution to this recommendation has not been verified. Read the response document ↗