Defence and security industry urge UK-EU defence and security pact to be signed at the May UK-EU summit
Defence and security industry representatives have written an open letter to UK and EU leaders calling for a defence and security partnership to be agreed at the EU-UK Summit in May.
The letter states that the EU and the UK must act now to secure their joint future. The world order is changing rapidly, old alliances are less certain and Russian aggression continues unabated.
This is a pivotal moment and every European country, be it in the EU or outside, must come together to protect its people and their shared democratic values.
Strengthening UK-EU defence and security collaboration at all levels is essential.
The current and future security of the continent will depend on a complete European defence capability in which the UK would be critical considering its industrial and military capabilities.
The letter comes in the context of UK-EU reset discussions, which are at risk of echoing Brexit withdrawal negotiations that ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’.
The signatories, representing thousands of UK and European defence and security companies, large and small, argue categorically that the defence of Europe must be a separate matter of great urgency, removed from other political matters.
Kevin Craven, from the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space trade association ADS, said:
“The lack of a clear, formal cooperation roadmap is creating barriers to UK industry. The UK and EU's interlinked supply chains, joint collaboration programmes and unfolding regulatory areas such as PESCO, EDIP, the Windsor Framework and more, highlight the pressing and immediate need for multilateral collaboration in defence and security.
“On behalf of almost 1500 members in the UK, ADS have repeatedly called for the immediate strengthening of UK-EU relations in the realm of defence cooperation.
“The longer this process takes, the less likely we are to be able to respond to emerging security threats – despite having the capability, the political will and the moral duty to do so.
“The recent EU Defence White Paper has opened the door – it’s time that we pick this up. The UK-EU Summit in May is the ideal time to formalise our defence and security relationship for generations to come.”
Peter Bell, Vice President of the British Chamber of Commerce EU, said:
“Our members are representatives of the UK and European defence industry, and this letter culminates our work over the last 18 months and the main ask in our 2024 European Defence Industry Report.
“The need for UK industry participation benefits business across Europe, given linked supply chains and the strategic presence of European multinational defence companies across both sides of the Channel that deliver world leading capabilities to European armed forces and intelligence services.
“Given the security context in Europe, it is essential that the UK and EU urgently deliver an agreement on defence and security with robust industrial dimensions at the upcoming summit.”
Shevaun Havilland, Director General of British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“The world is changing rapidly, and we must move fast to keep pace. A joint UK-EU defence and security agreement is paramount to all our futures.
“We want to work with our European partners to increase investment in defence industries and create new opportunities for procurement and joint consortia to meet our common security obligations.
“Boosting defence capacity will also increase trade, attract international investment, and bring huge benefits to SMEs in supply chains across Europe.”
Julian David OBE, CEO of techUK, said:
“Our membership spans both the UK and European defence technology industries, with many of our member companies and their associated supply chains deeply integrated across the UK and EU.
“We believe there is now a strong imperative to ensure the UK can fully contribute to European Defence and Security collaboration, bringing its world leading expertise in technology to bear, as both Europe and its defence industry mobilises to meet the threats of the future.
“To make this a reality the UK and the EU must ensure the May Summit delivers a comprehensive UK-EU Defence and Security agreement.“