UK-France Nuclear Partnership Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

UK-France Nuclear Partnership

Jim Shannon Excerpts
Thursday 10th July 2025

(1 day, 18 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Maria Eagle Portrait Maria Eagle
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The agreement does not change our very close relationship with the Americans. In line with the NATO strategic concept, the strategic forces of the US, the UK and France all contribute significantly to the overall security of the alliance. There is no reason why that should not continue to be the case.

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call Jim Shannon.

Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon
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Thank you very much, Mr Speaker— I always expect to be called last, but I have just jumped in ahead of my colleague and friend, the hon. Member for South Antrim (Robin Swann).

I thank the Minister for her answers today. We very much welcome the news that we are to enhance our nuclear programme—that security can only be good for our whole nation. However, the estimates I have read still put our nuclear capability well below the threat posed by Russia, so how can we continue to build our nuclear capability, and how can Northern Ireland play a part in that work? The Minister is always committed to helping Northern Ireland, so I am very keen to hear how that will work.

Maria Eagle Portrait Maria Eagle
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The hon. Gentleman is usually last, but never least, and he is not even last on this occasion.

I agree that it is important that we strengthen the credibility of our deterrence, which is why we are committed to building the four replacement boats that will carry our continuous at-sea deterrent and up to 12 SSNs through SSN-AUKUS. We are doubling the drumbeat of our construction of submarines over time, which I think sends a pretty powerful signal to potential adversaries that our CASD, and our capacity to defend and to use it, is going to be significantly strengthened over the coming period. I am glad to say that I have found general support for that in this House, which I welcome.