Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
6th Report - The UK contribution to European Security
Defence Committee
HC 520
Published 19 November 2025
Recommendations
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, …
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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.
Ministry of Defence
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3
Acknowledged
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 …
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Government Response Summary
The government is considering where to prioritise investment, including UK involvement in EU capability development programmes and areas of US reliance, with details to be in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. It also highlights an appointed interoperability champion, UK Carrier Strike Group under NATO command, and UK industry access to EU defence initiatives.
Ministry of Defence
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4
Accepted
Increase public awareness of attacks against the UK and outline national defence conversation measures
Recommendation
The public need to understand not only the necessity of defence but also their role in it. We are therefore very supportive of the concept of a national conversation on defence and recommend that the Government (and MOD in particular) …
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Government Response Summary
The government states the Cabinet Office leads on national resilience and public communications, with work ongoing to develop further strategies and departments committed to the Resilience Action Plan's objectives. It highlights the Defence Secretary's speech and Chief of Defence Staff's lecture as examples of raising awareness.
Ministry of Defence
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6
Acknowledged
Review Defence Industrial and Investment Plans considering current report recommendations and conclusions
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government review the Defence Industrial Plan and the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, in light of our recommendations and conclusions in this chapter. (Recommendation, Paragraph 22) Defending Europe in the near term
Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the committee's examination of the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) and states it will carefully consider the recommendations and take them into account as the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) is developed.
Ministry of Defence
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7
Accepted
Explain detailed reasoning for dismissing a second sovereign nuclear deterrent delivery method
Recommendation
It is clear that the nuclear threat has increased in the recent past. The UK already declares its nuclear deterrent to the defence of NATO, the single most significant contribution it can make. Whilst we have not received sufficient evidence …
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Government Response Summary
The government explains that a submarine-based system remains the most effective deterrent, and outlines investments in F-35A aircraft for NATO nuclear burden-sharing and the sovereign warhead programme, reaffirming its commitment to defining the post-Dreadnought nuclear deterrent within this Parliament.
Ministry of Defence
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9
Accepted
Address criticisms on UK's lack of mass and NATO Article 3 failures with implementation timeline
Recommendation
We were concerned to hear that the UK’s lack of mass is denuding its leadership in NATO. In addition, the lack of resourcing dedicated to the UK meeting its Article 3 commitments is a further failure of leadership. We recommend …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it has accepted all 62 SDR recommendations, including strengthening the UK's NATO offer, and is implementing the Integrated Force Model, aiming to increase the regular Army to 76,000. It also highlights £1 billion new funding for UK Integrated Air and Missile Defence and measures to protect critical national infrastructure, but does not provide a timeline for implementation.
Ministry of Defence
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10
Acknowledged
Publish annual updates on implementation of Strategic Defence Review (SDR) commitments
Recommendation
The Government should set out its plan for implementing the SDR. We recommend that the Government publishes an annual update on its implementation of the SDR commitments. In addition, we will continue to 57 seek regular classified updates on its …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that SDR implementation began immediately and the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will deliver the SDR's vision. It commits to providing regular updates to the Committee on SDR implementation, including classified briefings.
Ministry of Defence
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12
Accepted
Provide Committee with a briefing on the Strategic Effect Cycle
Recommendation
The Government should provide the Committee with a briefing on the Strategic Effect Cycle. (Recommendation, Paragraph 46)
Government Response Summary
The government has agreed to provide the Committee with a classified briefing on the Strategic Effects Cycle as requested.
Ministry of Defence
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14
Accepted
Assess impact and outcomes of current defence agreements before new negotiations
Recommendation
If certain relationships are vital to achieving Government goals then the Government should ensure that there is sufficient political attention and resourcing for these relationships. Given the calls on resources, we recommend the Government ensure it assesses the impact and …
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Government Response Summary
Through the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the government commits to ensuring sufficient political attention and resourcing for key relationships and will refine its approach to international agreements to ensure they deliver impact and outcomes.
Ministry of Defence
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21
Accepted
Ensure the National Armaments Director gives evidence to Parliament as soon as practicably possible.
Recommendation
The National Armaments Director is a key post for implementation of policy changes in both the SDR and the Defence Industrial Strategy. As such, we believe that the Department ought to prioritise his giving evidence to Parliament. We recommend that …
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Government Response Summary
The government confirmed that the new National Armaments Director gave evidence to the Committee on 16 December, just under two months after his appointment, thereby fulfilling the recommendation.
Ministry of Defence
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22
Accepted
Address long-standing security vetting issues, reducing waiting times and exploring a single clearance process.
Recommendation
The long-standing issues with security vetting must be addressed. In response to this Report we expect the Government to set out how it intends to reduce waiting times. In addition, we recommend that the Government explore having a single clearance …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that UK Security Vetting (UKSV) underwent a stabilisation programme in 2023 which recovered performance, and since April 2024, UKSV has consistently met its Key Performance Indicators for security vetting clearances.
Ministry of Defence
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24
Accepted
Measure, benchmark, and annually publish the capacity of the defence industrial base to Parliament.
Recommendation
The Government should measure, benchmark and publish the capacity of the defence industrial base, reporting actual numbers and percentage increases to Parliament on an annual basis as part of its resilience reporting. (Recommendation, Paragraph 93)
Government Response Summary
The government will work with the Office of National Statistics and the Competition and Markets Authority to strengthen the quality and reliability of data on the defence sector, using a broad range of data points that will be reported within existing ministerial governance frameworks.
Ministry of Defence
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26
Acknowledged
Publish Defence Finance and Investment Strategy, detailing funding solutions and implementation plan, including new mechanisms.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government uses the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy to set out the data it holds and the conclusions it has drawn alongside its approach to resolving the issues with each type of funding difficulty. In the …
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Government Response Summary
The government states the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS) will address finance challenges, considering implementation, ownership, and gaps in payment services, and is assessing the viability of a defence-specific fund; however, it states transparency to Parliament regarding the DIAG will be through the Department, rather than the DIAG giving evidence directly.
Ministry of Defence
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32
Accepted
Produce a public timetable for the Home Defence Programme and offer committee briefings.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government produce a public timetable on the generation of the Home Defence Programme and that briefings (at whatever classification is required) are offered to the Select Committees scrutinising the Government departments with responsibilities under the plan. …
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Government Response Summary
The Cabinet Office committed to following up with the Committee to produce a public timeline for the Home Defence Plan and provide briefings to relevant Select Committees.
Ministry of Defence
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33
Rejected
Create a Minister of Homeland Security to deliver defence and resilience programmes.
Recommendation
We reiterate our previous recommendation for the creation of a Minister of Homeland Security who should be responsible for delivery of the Home Defence Programme alongside the Resilience Action Plan and a public engagement strategy. (Recommendation, Paragraph 126) 61
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation, stating that national security is handled by existing ministerial roles (Chief Secretary to the PM and Security Minister) across departments, which it deems the most efficient structure.
Ministry of Defence
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35
Rejected
Set out timetable for defence readiness legislation and provide regular parliamentary updates.
Recommendation
The Government should set out its timetable with key milestones for the defence readiness legislation in its response to this report, including its approach to pre-legislative scrutiny, and ensure that it has a strategy for engagement with Parliament and the …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated it does not yet have a specific timetable for the Defence Readiness legislation and is still reviewing legal powers and developing measures, with stakeholder engagement planned for 2026.
Ministry of Defence
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Conclusions (19)
2
Conclusion
Accepted
Europe is over-reliant on US defence capabilities. Despite indications from successive US Presidents that Europe needs to step up, European NATO members have failed to invest in key strategic enablers. (Conclusion, Paragraph 14)
Government Response Summary
The government notes that NATO Allies committed to spending 5% of GDP on defence by 2035 at The Hague Summit, and the UK is increasing its own defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 with an ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament.
5
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We are producing this Report prior to the publication of the Defence Investment Plan and as a result without the full picture of the future force posture. We timed this inquiry on the understanding that by now there would be an indication of broad prioritisation, if not specific investment decisions—because …
Government Response Summary
The government states it has accepted all 62 recommendations of the SDR, and implementation has begun promptly, to be refined through the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) process, which is being completed as soon as possible.
8
Conclusion
Accepted
The Government has stated its intention to implement a NATO First approach. For this to be meaningful, it must implement SDR recommendations aimed at ensuring that the UK is a better Ally. Witnesses have highlighted a lack of mass, delays in developing promised capabilities in line with NDPP timelines, and …
Government Response Summary
The government states it has accepted all 62 SDR recommendations, including strengthening the UK's NATO offer, and is implementing the Integrated Force Model, aiming to increase the regular Army to 76,000. It also highlights £1 billion new funding for UK Integrated Air and Missile Defence and measures to protect critical national infrastructure.
11
Conclusion
Accepted
The lack of clarity about the Government’s approach to Integrated Air and Missile Defence, given the absence of European IAMD capability, is an area of critical importance that requires urgent action. (Recommendation, Paragraph 42)
Government Response Summary
The government has committed £1 billion in this Parliament to Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), focusing initially on improving command and control, sensing, and existing capabilities to defeat attacks.
13
Conclusion
Acknowledged
It is not always clear how the UK’s many minilateral and bilateral defence relationships feed into the Government’s broader strategy or if the Department and Ministers have an assessment of their relative prioritisation. (Conclusion, Paragraph 47)
Government Response Summary
The government is implementing a new Defence Diplomacy Strategy, coordinating with other departments to prioritise defence instruments, and continues to work closely with FCDO on major defence partnerships.
15
Conclusion
Accepted
The UK’s role as a framework nation in JEF means that it has to ensure it is leading both politically and militarily including by ensuring that it has the capabilities required for exercises and operations in the High North and Polar regions. The UK must ensure that the JEF is …
Government Response Summary
The government states that existing frameworks like the SDR, recent agreements such as the Lunna House Agreement with Norway, and current operations like JEF’s NORDIC WARDEN demonstrate the UK is already leading and ensuring JEF responsiveness in Northern Europe and the High North.
16
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The UK’s security and defence partnership with the EU is a welcome recognition of the importance of both parties to the defence of Europe. At present, the partnership is somewhat aspirational, awaiting the outcome of negotiations on a Framework Participation Agreement; access to SAFE; and movement on the UK’s Administrative …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of collaboration, reaffirms its commitment to maintaining close industrial and defence relationships with European partners, and remains committed to a broad relationship with the EU.
17
Conclusion
Accepted
It is vital that British defence industry is not sidelined or excluded from working with their European counterparts—that will be the key measure (in relation to defence) of success when assessing the Government’s relationship with the EU. The Government will need to 58 ensure that its ongoing defence relationship with …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on collaboration and commits to maintaining close industrial and defence relationships with European partners. It will also ensure that the benefits of its ongoing defence relationship with the EU are clearly communicated to the UK public as part of its engagement activity.
18
Conclusion
Accepted
The UK Government has endorsed greater EU-NATO working but should now identify specific measures through which it could best support the improvement of the relationship between the EU and NATO. This could include making it a discussion point in engagements with NATO and EU leaders and developing new ways of …
Government Response Summary
The government states it has long supported EU-NATO cooperation, actively engaging allies and advocating for openness in EU defence industrial programmes. It highlights the Security and Defence Partnership, which includes established regular foreign and security policy dialogues focused on strengthening NATO linkages and collaboration.
19
Conclusion
Accepted
The defence industrial base has been subject to numerous reviews, plans and strategies, all of which have identified recommendations. However, many of those have only been partially implemented. Whilst the Government appears to be committed to solving some of the most intractable issues, it is too early at this point …
Government Response Summary
The government details £773 million in new funding for Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) commitments, including investment in six new munitions factories, launching a Defence Office for Small Business Growth, and a £400 million ringfenced budget for UK Defence Innovation.
20
Conclusion
Accepted
There is widespread recognition of the need to address the issues facing defence industry. We welcome the expansion of the defence industrial base and the engagement of HM Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade in finding solutions. However, Ministers will need to closely monitor the implementation and effectiveness …
Government Response Summary
The government confirms that ministers will closely monitor the implementation and effectiveness of defence industrial policies through the Defence Industrial Joint Council, the Defence Growth Board, and the Growth Mission Board.
23
Conclusion
Accepted
The evidence is that readiness is suffering because of in-year pressures on budgets at a crucial time of preparation to meet potential conflict. It is vital that the additional funds allocated to defence by the Government do not get swallowed by defence inflation. Both we and the Government recognise the …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on effective spending and commits to delivering nearly £6 billion in new savings over this Parliament through efficiency measures, with the MOD publishing a Defence Reform and Efficiency Plan as part of the DIP.
25
Conclusion
Accepted
Access to finance for defence industry is a significant issue as evidenced by the numerous publications and policy proposals from this year alone. We are frustrated that, given widespread recognition of the issue, no proposed solutions are likely to emerge before March 2026, with implementation likely to take much longer. …
Government Response Summary
The government will publish the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS) in Spring 2026 to address finance issues, and will launch the Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OfSBG) in January 2026 to help smaller defence businesses access tailored financial products and services.
27
Conclusion
Accepted
We welcome cross-Government work on industrial resilience which we view as area of increasing importance. The measures proposed have the potential to strengthen the defence (and wider UK) industrial base if 60 implemented. However, we are disappointed that the Defence Industrial Strategy failed to recognise and address the threat of …
Government Response Summary
The government states that through the Defence Industrial Strategy, Defence is collaborating with industry to enhance sector security via enhanced threat reporting, including an incident reporting form, and by identifying vulnerable infrastructure through data-driven critical national infrastructure mapping.
28
Conclusion
Accepted
We question the Ministry of Defence’s ability to protect the UK and the Overseas Territories from crisis or conflict. This means the UK is not fulfilling its Article 3 responsibilities—a fact recognised by Government. Despite this recognition from Government (which has pledged to be ‘NATO First’), measures to remediate seem …
Government Response Summary
The government clarifies that the Home Defence Programme (HDP) is an enduring endeavour, not a single deliverable, and commits to providing further details to the Committee; it also states the MOD is refreshing military plans and protection plans for Overseas Territories, and has taken steps to improve readiness.
29
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We will ensure that our future examination of the thinking on capability and infrastructure requirements and the resultant force structure within the Defence Investment Plan will include scrutiny of the implications for defence of the UK and Overseas Territories. In addition, we will seek to establish how the decisions taken …
Government Response Summary
The government states that a renewed focus on home defence and resilience is vital and its delivery is being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which will deliver the vision for the defence of the UK and Overseas Territories.
30
Conclusion
Accepted
Cross-government working on homeland defence and resilience is nowhere near where it needs to be. The Government has said repeatedly that we are in an era of new threat, yet decision-making is slow and opaque. (Conclusion, Paragraph 123)
Government Response Summary
The government highlights the Resilience Action Plan, published 8 July, which sets out the strategic vision and steps for a stronger UK, to be delivered over this Parliament, and also references the Home Defence Programme which will expand over coming months and years to enhance defence, security, and resilience planning.
31
Conclusion
Accepted
The Cabinet Office’s leadership in this area appears to be inward focused rather than engaging with other Government departments and wider society. What is required is a clear plan and consistent messaging with well-defined leadership responsibilities—resilience and readiness are not an internal government matter; they require whole of society engagement. …
Government Response Summary
The government has published the Resilience Action Plan on 8 July, which sets out a strategic vision, an all-hazards approach, and steps for whole-of-society engagement to build resilience and readiness, also highlighting the Home Defence Programme.
34
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We welcome the proposal of a Defence Readiness Bill. However, the Government has not yet determined what specific measures it wishes to include in the Bill, let alone written it. This should be agreed within Government and legislation published as soon as possible. (Recommendation, Paragraph 127)
Government Response Summary
The government is reviewing and developing measures for Defence Readiness legislation, planning stakeholder engagement including with the Committee in 2026, but has not yet agreed on specific measures or a timetable for its publication.