Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Sixth Report - Special Relationships? US, UK and NATO
Defence Committee
HC 184
Published 7 March 2023
Recommendations
10
Acknowledged
Para 52
The Joint Expeditionary Force has proven itself to be effective, acting as a force multiplier...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Ministry of Defence
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11
Acknowledged
Para 65
We welcome the likely accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO.
Recommendation
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 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.
Ministry of Defence
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Conclusions (11)
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 10
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.
Government Response 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.
2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 18
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 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.
3
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 19
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 …
Government Response 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.
6
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 32
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 …
Government Response 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.
7
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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.
8
Conclusion
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
Government Response 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.
12
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 81
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 …
Government Response 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.
13
Conclusion
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 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.
14
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 92
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 …
Government Response 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.
15
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 93
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 …
Government Response 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 and stockpiles is ongoing.
18
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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.