The UK contribution to European Security

Defence Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 3 Dec 2024 Closed: 8 May 2026 Parliament page
This inquiry will examine the UK’s contribution to European Security. It will examine the UK's contribution to NATO and its bilateral defence relationships with other European countries. This inquiry will look at the UK's contribution to multilateral frameworks outside of NATO. In addition, it will explore the UK's NATO and … Read more
16 Recommendations
19 Conclusions
1 Report
7 Oral sessions
7 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
30 Jan
2026
Report published
19 Nov
2025
Report published
8 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
1 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
13 May
2025
Oral evidence
29 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
1 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
4 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
28 Jan
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
8 Jul 2025
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Panel 1
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin · Ministry of Defence Jim Carter · Ministry of Defence Luke Pollard MP · Ministry of Defence Paul Wyatt · Ministry of Defence
1 Jul 2025
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Panel 1
Fenella McGerty · International Institute for Strategic Studies Nicholas Nelson · Archangel VC Fund Rob Murray · Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) Development Group
13 May 2025
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Dr. Alastair McGibbon · Space Forge Ltd Dr Rob Johnson · Pembroke College, University of Oxford Mr Ken Turley · RUK Advanced System Ltd
29 Apr 2025
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Dr Rowan Allport · The Human Security Centre Mr William Freer · Council on Geostrategy Professor Peter Roberts · Centre for Public Understanding of Defence and Security, University of Exeter
1 Apr 2025
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Panel 1
Dr Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer · German Marshall Fund of the US Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman KCMG CBE PC FBA · Kings College London
4 Mar 2025
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Oral Evidence Session
Andrew Kinniburgh · Make UK Defence Julian David OBE · techUK Kevin Craven · ADS Group - Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space
28 Jan 2025
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Panel 1
Armida Van Rij · Chatham House Ed Arnold · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Title HC No. Published Items Response
6th Report - The UK contribution to European Security HC 520 19 Nov 2025 35 Response document linked
Recommendations & Conclusions
35 results
1 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Accelerate and deepen defence and security cooperation with EU and European partners on Russia threat
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, … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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2 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
European NATO members remain over-reliant on United States defence capabilities
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)
Ministry of Defence
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3 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Assess UK leadership in replacing US defence capabilities and supporting EU development programmes
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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4 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Increase public awareness of attacks against the UK and outline national defence conversation measures
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) … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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5 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
UK lacks readiness for contemporary war and urgent adoption of new technology
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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6 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Review Defence Industrial and Investment Plans considering current report recommendations and conclusions
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
Ministry of Defence
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7 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Explain detailed reasoning for dismissing a second sovereign nuclear deterrent delivery method
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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8 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
UK's lack of mass and capability delays undermine NATO First approach
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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9 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Address criticisms on UK's lack of mass and NATO Article 3 failures with implementation timeline
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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10 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Publish annual updates on implementation of Strategic Defence Review (SDR) commitments
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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11 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Develop clear approach to Integrated Air and Missile Defence, given critical importance
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)
Ministry of Defence
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12 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Provide Committee with a briefing on the Strategic Effect Cycle
The Government should provide the Committee with a briefing on the Strategic Effect Cycle. (Recommendation, Paragraph 46)
Ministry of Defence
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13 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Clarity lacking on integration and prioritisation of UK defence relationships
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)
Ministry of Defence
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14 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Assess impact and outcomes of current defence agreements before new negotiations
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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15 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Ensure UK provides leadership and required capabilities for JEF operations in High North
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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16 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
UK-EU security partnership remains aspirational, awaiting key agreements and PESCO access
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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17 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Ensure demonstrable benefits from the ongoing EU defence relationship are adequately explained to the UK public.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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18 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Identify specific measures to support the improvement of the relationship between the EU and NATO.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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19 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Defence industrial base recommendations remain partially implemented, with effectiveness and progress difficult to assess.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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20 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Closely monitor the implementation and effectiveness of proposed defence industry policies for optimal outcomes.
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, … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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21 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Ensure the National Armaments Director gives evidence to Parliament as soon as practicably possible.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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22 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Address long-standing security vetting issues, reducing waiting times and exploring a single clearance process.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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23 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Defence readiness suffers from in-year budget pressures, exacerbated by defence inflation.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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24 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Measure, benchmark, and annually publish the capacity of the defence industrial base to Parliament.
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)
Ministry of Defence
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25 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Access to finance for defence industry is a significant and complex issue with delayed solutions.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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26 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Publish Defence Finance and Investment Strategy, detailing funding solutions and implementation plan, including new mechanisms.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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27 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Defence Industrial Strategy fails to address protest and sabotage threats to resilience.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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28 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Ministry of Defence's slow progress threatens UK's Article 3 defence responsibilities.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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29 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Committee to scrutinise Defence Investment Plan's implications for UK and Overseas Territories defence.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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30 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Cross-government working on homeland defence and resilience remains significantly inadequate.
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)
Ministry of Defence
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31 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Cabinet Office leadership on resilience lacks external engagement and a clear plan.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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32 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Produce a public timetable for the Home Defence Programme and offer committee briefings.
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. … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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33 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Create a Minister of Homeland Security to deliver defence and resilience programmes.
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 Read more
Ministry of Defence
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34 Conclusion
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Publish Defence Readiness Bill legislation as soon as possible after internal agreement.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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35 Recommendation
6th Report - The UK contribution t…
Set out timetable for defence readiness legislation and provide regular parliamentary updates.
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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