Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK’s involvement in the EU’s defence industrial programmes align with the UK’s strategic defence objectives.

The Strategic Defence Review recognises that international partnerships are crucial for both innovation and collective security. The Security and Defence Partnership with the EU complements our NATO first approach as we continue to support alignment between NATO and the EU.

We are also producing a new Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which will allow us to develop a modern defence industrial base that is able to better support our, and our allies', security whilst also helping to drive economic growth. The Defence Industrial Strategy will set out how we will continue to work with key partners, including through the EU, and pursue new industrial ventures to ensure our industry continues to innovate.