Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 83 of his department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, what progress has been made with JEF to trial the use of innovative technologies to boost collective security in Europe.

The JEF continues to build its role in defence innovation, with First Sea Lord’s JEF Maritime initiative marking a significant step forward in the JEF Northern Navies partnership. It underscores a shared commitment among JEF partners to move beyond periodic activity towards a more integrated maritime enterprise enabling forces to combine rapidly, operate seamlessly and respond decisively and immediately to emerging threats

By renewing emphasis on collaboration and aligning doctrine, training, planning, sustainment and capability development, JEF nations will operate more closely than ever before, building trust, interoperability to act and fight together and ultimately the ability to substitute, swap, or mix equipment, parts, ammunition, or personnel across participating navies. At the March 2026 JEF Leaders' Summit, leaders agreed further measures to strengthen NATO's northern flank, enhance readiness and deterrence, counter hybrid threats, protect critical infrastructure and deepen cooperation with Ukraine.