Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies of the US administration's National Defense Strategy, published in January 2018.

We welcome the publication of the US' National Defense Strategy on 19 January 2018. The Government and the US Administration have a shared understanding of many of the serious challenges it outlines. In particular, the renewed emphasis given by the Strategy to inter-state strategic competition echoes our concern regarding the risk to the UK and Europe from state-based threats. With a clear emphasis on allies and partners, including NATO, to achieve its objectives, the document provides a useful framework on which to focus joint and allied efforts. The US and UK are very close allies and partners, with a uniquely broad and deep defence and security relationship, and we will continue to work together on issues vital to the UK's security and prosperity."