How the UK and the EU Can Deepen Defence Co-Operation

Summary:

The easiest way for the EU and the UK to deepen co-operation would be to reap some quick wins. By the date of their May 2025 summit, they should conclude a security and defence partnership to formalise their foreign policy dialogue. The partnership should either include or set out a timeline for the UK’s association to the European Defence Agency (EDA) and for its possible participation in EU military operations. The UK and the EU should also work together closely in developing options to channel additional funds to defence. A co-ordinated funding injection would frontload spending, increase co-operation and send a strong signal to Europe’s allies and adversaries. It would not be easy for the UK to participate in an EU defence bond issue, but the UK could be involved if the bonds were issued by a coalition of countries. There was also scope to work together on plans for a defence bank.

For its part, the UK should seek formal association to EU capability development tools. One way to do this would be by copying Norway’s association model. This would allow UK defence firms to participate in consortia on equal footing with EU firms and would entail a UK financial contribution to EU instruments. The association agreement could contain a safeguard mechanism, as the UK’s contribution to Horizon Europe does.

• Alternative Source 1

ESO Records

CER Policy Brief: June 2023: EU-UK Co-operation in Defence Capabilities after the War in Ukraine https://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-uk-co-operation-in-defence-capabilities-after-the-war-in-ukraine/

CER Policy Brief: October 2021: Bridging the Channel: How Europeans and the UK Can Work Together on Defence Capability Development https://www.europeansources.info/record/bridging-the-channel-how-european-and-the-uk-can-work-together-on-defence-capability-development/

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