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 16 events
30 Jan
2026
Report published
19 Nov
2025
Report published
8 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
8 Jul
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
1 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
1 Jul
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
13 May
2025
Oral evidence
13 May
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
29 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
29 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
1 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
1 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
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 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
9 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Acknowledged
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
Government Response
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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5 Conclusion Acknowledged
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
Government Response
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.
Ministry of Defence
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6 Recommendation Acknowledged
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
Government Response
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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10 Recommendation Acknowledged
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
Government Response
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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13 Conclusion Acknowledged
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)
Government Response
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.
Ministry of Defence
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16 Conclusion Acknowledged
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
Government Response
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.
Ministry of Defence
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26 Recommendation Acknowledged
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
Government Response
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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29 Conclusion Acknowledged
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
Government Response
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.
Ministry of Defence
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34 Conclusion Acknowledged
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
Government Response
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.
Ministry of Defence
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Government Response AI assessment · 35 of 16 classified
Accepted 24
Acknowledged 9
Rejected 2
Total 16 recs + 19 conclusions