Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking with European allies to jointly (a) procure and (b) stockpile defence equipment; and if he will make it his policy to work with European allies to coordinate mutual large-scale rearmament.

Europe faces a generational threat to our shared security. As part of strengthening our international relationships this Government will seek an ambitious, broad-based UK-EU security partnership to protect the UK and EU and enhance cooperation on the threats we collectively face. We will seek a new geopolitical partnership with the EU that drives closer coordination and complements our unshakable commitment to NATO, which will remain the foremost vehicle for European security.

The need for collective European and NATO industrial and procurement initiatives is apparent in programmes such as the European Long-Range Strike Approach, the DIAMOND integrated air and missile defence initiative and NATO’s Defence Production Action Plan and Multinational Procurement initiatives. Collective procurement will deliver more of the capabilities we need across the continent and enhance our shared deterrence. This Government recognises the vital role the UK’s defence industry plays not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the UK.