Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK retains strong defence ties with EU member states after Brexit.

The UK remains steadfastly committed to European Defence and Security. Brexit will not change the UK's commitment.

We will continue to work closely with our European partners bilaterally, including through our network of Defence Attachés and regular meetings and visits, as well as multilaterally, through NATO and other groupings such as the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and Northern Group. These forums provide the opportunity to discuss areas of co-operation and common interest. We will continue to train and exercise with European Allies and partners, not least this summer as part of BALTIC PROTECTOR in the Baltic Sea, the first deployment of the JEF. We will continue to operate together across the globe.

This engagement is underpinned in many cases by Defence agreements. Examples include Treaties with France and Poland, a Joint Vision Statement with Germany, a Statement of Intent with Italy and MOUs and similar arrangements with a number of our partners in Europe.