Committee publication · Special Report · 30 January 2026 · HC 1658
6th Special Report - The UK contribution to European Security: Government Response
From: Defence Committee
Summary
This is the government's formal response to the Defence Committee's November 2025 report on UK contributions to European security. It outlines the Ministry of Defence's approach to strengthening UK defence partnerships across NATO and Europe, detailing commitments to increase defence spending, advance military capabilities, enhance industrial cooperation, and lead initiatives like the Joint Expeditionary Force amid rising Russian and Chinese threats.
Key findings
- UK is increasing core defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 with ambition to reach 3%, the largest sustained increase since the Cold War, aligned with NATO's 5% spending commitment by 2035.
- Government committed £600 million in air defence to Ukraine and co-chaired 32nd Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting; UK Carrier Strike Group achieved full NATO integration under Operation HIGHMAST.
- Major defence export successes secured: Type 26 frigates to Norway (~£10 billion), NAREW air defence to Poland (£8 billion), Typhoon fighters to Türkiye (£8 billion); plus strategic agreements with France (Lancaster House 2.0), Germany (Trinity House), and Norway (Lunna House).
- Government accepting all 62 Strategic Defence Review recommendations; Defence Investment Plan in development to translate SDR vision into deliverable programme with emphasis on warfighting readiness, mass, and capability at pace.
- Up to £1 billion committed for Integrated Air and Missile Defence during this Parliament; Armed Forces recruitment now exceeds outflow for first time since early 2021, with 13% increase in joiners and 8% decrease in leavers over 12 months to October 2025.
Government position
The government largely accepts the Defence Committee's recommendations and conclusions, framing its response around implementation of the Strategic Defence Review and the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. It accepts the urgency of threats, acknowledges Europe's over-reliance on US capabilities, and commits to leading NATO efforts while strengthening European defence industrial partnerships. The government states it will provide regular updates on SDR implementation, improve personnel conditions for NATO deployment, address security vetting delays, and measure defence industrial base capacity. On contested areas (e.g., second nuclear delivery method, full EU SAFE participation), the government provides reasoned rejection while emphasizing its existing nuclear deterrent model and NATO-first approach. It positions its response as demonstrating commitment to multi-billion pound defence investments and cross-government action on resilience and industrial capacity.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Ministry of Defence, Defence Committee, NATO, Russia, Ukraine, France, Germany, Norway, European Union
Notable line
“Not since the end of the Second World War has Europe's security been at such risk of state- on-state conflict due to Russia's aggression.”
Key Quotes
“The world is more unstable, more uncertain, and more dangerous. Not since the end of the Second World War has Europe's security been at such risk of state- on-state conflict due to Russia's aggression.”
“The UK is on a rising defence spending trajectory, supported by a fully funded plan to increase core defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament. This represents the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War.”
“The Defence Secretary co-chaired the 32nd meeting of the UDCG with Germany in December 2025 and announced that the UK has committed £600 million in air defence capabilities to Ukraine.”
“The Carrier Strike Group achieved Full Operating Capability on its return from HIGHMAST, confirming that the UK can deploy a fully integrated and combat - credible carrier task group worldwide.”
“The agreement is of huge benefit to Scotland; it is the biggest ever UK warship export deal by value, supporting shipbuilding on the Clyde until at least 2040 and over 1,700 Scottish jobs.”
“The figures in the latest reporting period highlight that for the first time since early 2021, Armed Forces intake is now greater than outflow. The overall strength of the Armed Forces remained stable as of 1 October 2025 compared with 1 October”
“… security. A submarinebased system remains the most effective and proportionate means of delivering the UK's deterrent objectives, providing the survivability, assurance, and operational independence we need.”
“The SDR sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government has endorsed the Review's vision and accepted all 62 recommendations.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗