Transcript of PM's address at Munich Security Conference

Transcript of the Prime Minister's address at the Munich Security Conference today.

For many years, for most people in the United Kingdom, war has been remote –

Something that concerns us deeply, but which happens far away. 

But now, we feel the solidity of peace –

The very ground we stand on softening under our feet. 

It's the job of leaders to be ahead of these seismic shifts.

Yet that is against the grain of history.

Time and again leaders have looked the other way –

Only rearming when disaster is upon them.

This time must be different. 

Because all of the warning signs are there. 

Russia has proved its appetite for aggression –

Bringing terrible suffering to the Ukrainian people.

Its hybrid threats extend across our continent not just threatening our security, but tearing at our social contract –

Collaborating with populists who undermine our values…

Using disinformation to sow division…

Using cyberattacks and sabotage to disrupt our lives…

And deepening the cost-of-living crisis.

It's true that Russia has made a huge strategic blunder in Ukraine.

And that Russian casualties number well over a million.

But even as the war goes on, Russia is rearming,

Reconstituting their armed forces and industrial base.

NATO has warned that Russia could be ready to use military force against the alliance by the end of this decade.

In the event of a peace deal in Ukraine – which we are all working hard to achieve – Russia's rearmament would only accelerate.

The wider danger for Europe would not end there – it would increase.

So we must answer this threat in full.

At the outset, it is important to be clear – we do not seek conflict.

Our objective is lasting peace – 

A return to strategic stability and the rule of law. 

But in the face of these threats there is only one viable option before us.

To break the convention of a thousand speeches –

We are not at a crossroads today.

The road ahead is straight and it is clear.  

We must build our hard power –

Because that is the currency of the age.

We must be able to deter aggression and yes, if necessary, we must be ready to fight –

To do whatever it takes to protect our people, our values, and our way of life.

And as Europe – we must stand on our own two feet.

That means being bolder.

It means putting away petty politics and short-term concerns.

It means acting together to build a stronger Europe and a more European NATO –

Underpinned by deeper links between the UK and the EU across defence, industry, tech, politics and the wider economy. 

Because these are the foundations on which our security and prosperity will rest.

This is how we'll build a better future for our continent –

True to the vibrant, free and diverse societies that we represent, showing that people who look different to each other can live peacefully together that this isn't against the tenor of our times. 

Rather – it is what makes us strong. 

And we are prepared to defend it with everything we have. 

We are not the Britain of the Brexit years anymore.

Because we know that, in a dangerous world, we would not take control by turning inward –

We would surrender it.

And I won't let that happen.

That's why I devote time as Prime Minister to Britain's leadership on the world stage –

And that's why I'm here today.

Because I am clear –

There is no British security without Europe and no European security without Britain. 

That is the lesson of history – and it is today's reality too.   

So together, we must rise to this moment.

We must spend more, deliver more, and coordinate more and – crucially, we must do this with the United States.

The US remains an indispensable ally.

Its contribution to European security over 80 years is unparalleled,

And so is our gratitude.

At the same time, we recognise that things are changing.

The US National Security Strategy spells out that Europe must take “primary responsibility for its own defence.”

That is the new normal.

There have been a series of thoughtful interventions about what this means –

Including the argument that we are at a moment of rupture.

Now I would agree that the world has changed fundamentally and that we must find new ways to uphold our values and the rule of law.

But in responding to that change we must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the last 80 years.

That could prove to be a moment of destruction –

But instead, I believe we must make it a moment of creation.

Instead of a moment of rupture we must make it one of radical renewal.

So rather than pretending we can simply replace all US capabilities,

We should focus on diversifying and decreasing some dependencies. 

We should deliver generational investments that move us from overdependence to interdependence.

I'm talking about a vision of European security.

And greater European autonomy that does not herald US withdrawal, but answers the call for more burden sharing in full and remakes the ties that have served us so well. 

Because we know the value of what we have.

The NATO alliance is a phenomenon in human history. 

It achieved something that leaders had been trying to do for centuries – 

From Westphalia… to the Congress of Vienna… to Versailles.

After centuries of conflict, the founders of NATO finally united our continent in peace and security.

Our militaries, that once faced each other on the battlefield, now stand side-by-side, pledged to each other's defence.

It is the shield over our heads every single day.

While some on the extremes of our politics chip away at this alliance –

We defend it.

I am proud that my party fought for NATO's creation –

What our then Foreign Secretary Ernie Bevin called:

“A spiritual union” of the west.

And we have shown our fidelity to that ideal, asserting each other's sovereignty – as we did on Greenland.

And – crucially – coming to each other's aid under Article 5.

We fought together in Afghanistan at terrible cost to many in my country –

And across many allied countries.

And I say to all NATO members –

Our commitment to Article 5 is as profound now as ever.

And be in no doubt, if called on, the UK would come your aid today.

Europe must not turn its back on this.

Instead, we must move forward, together to create a more European NATO.

As I see it – Europe is a sleeping giant.

Our economies dwarf Russia's, more than ten times over.

We have huge defence capabilities.

Yet, too often, this adds up to less than the sum of its parts.

Fragmented industrial planning and procurement have led to gaps in some areas – and massive duplication in others.

Europe has over 20 types of frigate – and 10 types of fighter jet. 

We have over 10 types of main battle tank –

While the US has one.

It is wildly inefficient –

And it harms our collective security.

The US security umbrella has allowed these bad habits to develop.

But now we must break them.

And we have shown that we can coordinate to great effect, as Ursula has just set out –

Supporting Ukraine in a way that Putin never really imagined.

Creating the Coalition of the Willing,

Which now covers almost all of Europe – as well as Canada and our friends in the Asia-Pacific,

And going further in our support –

With the UK announcing over £500 million this week for more air defence for the Ukrainian people.

To meet the wider threat, it's clear that we are going to have to spend more, faster.

And we've shown our collective intent in this regard as well, with the historic agreement to increase spending to 5% on security and defence.

And we're prepared to explore innovative solutions.

So we are stepping up work with likeminded allies on options for a collective approach to defence financing –

To help accelerate this vital investment.

And as we increase spending –

We must use it to its full potential. 

We must come together to integrate our capabilities, spending and procurement and build a joint European defence industry.

I welcome the steps that have been taken so far, which could allow us to participate in the 90 billion Euro loan to Ukraine.

I hope we can work together like this going forward – 

Because, look –

The logic of defence is solidarity and collective effort –

Not market access.

In a crisis, our citizens expect us to be ready.

So we need to deliver a step-change in collaboration.

I'm proud of the work we're already doing together –

Developing cutting-edge drones with Ukraine…

Delivering next generation long-range missiles with Germany, Italy and France…

Working with our JEF allies to defend our northern flank…

Doubling our deployment of British commandos in the Arctic…

Taking control of NATO's Atlantic and Northern command in Norfolk, Virginia and transforming our Royal Navy,

By striking the biggest warship deal in British history with Norway.

We're building a fleet of warships to hunt Russian submarines and protect undersea infrastructure –

And we want to replicate this level of collaboration with other allies across the High North and the Baltic.

And I can announce today that the UK will deploy our Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic and High North this year, led by HMS Prince of Wales –

Operating alongside the US, Canada and other NATO allies –

In a powerful show of our commitment to Euro-Atlantic security.

That is also why we're enhancing our nuclear cooperation with France.

For decades, the UK has been the only nuclear power in Europe to commit its deterrent to protect all NATO members. 

But now, any adversary must know that in a crisis they could be confronted by our combined strength.

It shows beyond doubt how vital it is that we work together. 

And so we must also look at what more we can do with the EU.

We must go beyond the historic steps we took at last year's UK-EU summit to build the formidable productive power and innovative strength we need.

British companies already account for over a quarter of the continent's defence industrial base.

They are a job-creating, community-building machine.

Employing around 239,000 people across the United Kingdom –

Including in Wales – where this month we're launching the first of five regional defence growth deals.

We want to bring our leadership in defence, tech and AI together with Europe – to multiply our strengths.

And build a shared industrial base across Europe –

Which can turbocharge our defence production.

That requires leadership,

To drive greater coherence and coordination across Europe.

That's what we are doing with Germany and France in the E3 –

Working closely with EU partners, particularly Italy and Poland –

As well as with Norway, Canada and Turkey.

So my message today is that the United Kingdom is ready.

We see the imperative.

We see the urgency.

We want to work together…

To lead a generational shift in defence industrial cooperation.

This includes looking again at closer economic alignment.

We are already aligning with the Single Market in some areas…

To drive down the prices of food and energy. 

We are trusted partners –

And as the Chancellor of the Exchequer said this week, deeper economic integration is in all our interests.

So we must look at where we could move closer to the Single Market in other sectors too –

Where that would work for both sides.

The prize here is greater security, stronger growth for the UK and the EU, which will fuel increased defence spending

And the chance to place the UK at the centre of a wave of European industrial renewal.

I understand the politics – very clearly.

It will mean trade-offs.

But the status quo is not fit for purpose.

And to me, there's no question where the national interest lies.

I will always fight for what's best for my country.

I started today by talking about avoiding the mistakes of the past –

Like delaying action or fragmenting our efforts.

But there is something else.

In the 1930s – leaders were too slow to level with the public about the fundamental shift in mindset that was required. 

So we must work harder now to build consent for the decisions we must take to keep us safe. 

Because, if we don't, the peddlers of easy answers are ready on the extremes of left and right.

And they will offer their solutions instead.

It's striking that the different ends of the spectrum share so much –

Soft on Russia.

Weak on NATO – if not outright opposed. 

And determined to sacrifice the relationships we need on the altar of their ideology. 

The future they offer is one of division and then capitulation.

The lamps would go out across Europe once again.

But we will not let that happen.

If we believe in our values – in democracy, liberty, and the rule of law,

This is the moment to stand up and to fight for them.

That's why we must work together and show that by taking responsibility for our own security,

We will help our people look forward. Not with fear, but with determination – and with hope.

Thank you.