To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on cooperation with the EU on defence procurement; and if he will list PESCO agreements with which the UK (i) is currently cooperating and (ii) has indicated in meetings an interest in reviewing potential engagement or participation.
Answered on
8 October 2024
The UK is an intrinsic part of the European industrial base and is vital to developing the capabilities Europe needs, as well as ensuring resilient, strengthened European supply chains that also benefit UK security and industry. We enjoy extensive capability collaboration with our European neighbours, and expanding this is priority for this Government.
The UK is seeking an ambitious new UK-EU security pact to strengthen cooperation on the threats we face and enshrining a new geopolitical partnership. We continue to progress the UK’s application to join the PESCO Military Mobility project whilst also exploring other projects which align with UK interests on a project-by-project basis.