- Military personnel will learn from diplomats and language
experts in a new training program.
- First UK Defence Diplomacy Strategy reinforces Defence's
role as an engine for growth by putting exports and industrial
collaboration at its heart.
- Strategy published today delivers on Strategic Defence
Review commitment to strengthen key partnerships while protecting
UK influence across the globe.
UK military personnel will be put through their paces as
part of a new
diplomacy training program — upskilling specialists
in negotiation and languages as part of the UK's first Defence
Diplomacy Strategy.
The strategy will boost warfighting readiness by training
alongside allies, upskilling international-facing personnel
through a new Defence Diplomacy Cadre, and providing world-class
military education to students from over 100 countries.
The Defence Diplomacy Strategy published today [24 March] steps
up the UK's engagement as part of the new contest for
influence, expanding world-class military education, and
making defence an engine for economic growth.
The Strategy will support delivery of the SDR's priorities and
NATO First vision, through strong European partnerships, the UK's
leading role in the JEF coalition and the UK-EU Security and
Defence Partnership - while maintaining vital relationships
across the Euro-Atlantic, Middle East, Indo-Pacific, Latin
America and the Caribbean, Africa, and our Overseas
Territories.
It is backed by the largest sustained increase to defence
spending since the end of the Cold War - hitting 2.6% of GDP
from 2027.
Defence Secretary MP said:
“In this new era of threat, now is the era for hard power, strong
alliances and sure diplomacy.
“Since we entered office, our government has strengthened the
UK's relationships with our key allies and partners. We've got
new defence agreements with Norway, Germany, France,
and the EU. We've delivered record defence export
deals. And I'm proud that the UK is leading on international
support for Ukraine.
“This strategy is critical for delivering security for people at
home, boosting NATO's collective deterrence and
making defence an engine for jobs and growth.”
Key elements of the Strategy include:
- A new Defence Diplomacy Cadre, with over 200 civilian policy
professionals trained in diplomacy and negotiation skills.
- Enhanced intelligence sharing, with the new Military
Intelligence Services to recommend by end of 2026 how sharing can
reinforce NATO First and enhance UK influence.
- Strengthened alumni networks, nurturing long-term
relationships with graduates now in senior positions, including
Czech President Petr Pavel and New Zealand's Vice Chief of
Defence Force, Rear Admiral Mat .
- Expanded international military education, with almost 600
students from over 100 countries receiving world class UK
military training.
- Overseas defence exports personnel brought into Defence's
global network to boost sales, grow industry capacity and support
UK jobs.
Minister of State for Defence, , said:
"The threats we face are more serious and less predictable than
at any time since the Cold War. NATO First does not mean NATO
only – security in the Euro-Atlantic is indivisible from security
in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. This first ever Defence
Diplomacy Strategy ensures the UK remains fully committed to
working with our global allies and partners on shared
priorities."
The strategy embeds 18 months of international
successes, including securing strategic agreements with
Germany, France and Norway, strengthening our
national security and making defence an engine for growth. It
also marks a record year for defence exports, including the
biggest fighter jet deal in a generation with Turkey and the
largest ever warship deal in our history with Norway.
Notes to Editors (on background)
- The Defence Diplomacy Strategy public summary is available
at Defence Diplomacy
Strategy - GOV.UK
- The strategy replaces the 2017 International Defence
Engagement Strategy.
- Key statistics:
- UK Defence representation in 172 nations
- Over 8,500 military and Civil Service staff deployed
overseas
- Over 1,000 personnel embedded in NATO's Command and Force
structures
- Almost 600 international student places across UK military
education institutions
- 36 exportable courses reaching up to 1,000 international
students
- Recent strategic agreements:
- Trinity House Agreement with Germany (October 2024) – £800
million investment commitment, 600 UK jobs
- Lancaster House 2.0 Agreement with France (July 2025) –
sustaining 1,300 UK jobs
- Lunna House Agreement with Norway (December 2025) – £10
billion for UK economy, 4,000 UK jobs
