Defence Ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and
Allies met at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, on 02 October to
advance the JEF's role as a key pillar of European and
Euro-Atlantic security. Following guidance from Leaders at the
Helsinki Summit in March, Ministers agreed upon further action
across the JEF's key priorities.
1. Reinforcing steadfast support to Ukraine through
ambitious delivery of the JEF-Ukraine Enhanced
Partnership.
The JEF Nations remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine. In
2025, the JEF-Ukraine Enhanced Partnership was established to
deepen cooperation and strengthen collective security. Today,
Defence Minister Khamara virtually joined JEF counterparts to
mark the successful ongoing delivery of that Partnership. This
year, for the first time, Ukraine participated in the JEF's
flagship Lion Protector exercise, with Ukrainian mine
countermeasure vessels operating alongside JEF forces to
strengthen interoperability, enabling the JEF to benefit from
Ukraine's unrivalled operational experience of modern warfare.
Defence Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Partnership
and agreed to deepen Ukraine's involvement in JEF activities.
2. To further leverage the JEF's specific geographical
focus and collective expertise in operating in the Arctic, High
North, North Atlantic and Baltic Sea regions to strengthen NATO's
northern flank
Defence Ministers reaffirmed that the Baltic Sea region, the High
North, and the North Atlantic remain the JEF's core and
interconnected area of strategic interest. Joined by Canadian
Defence Minister McGuinty, Ministers discussed opportunities to
deepen cooperation between the JEF and Canada, noted Canada's
application to join the Framework, and advanced work towards a
shared recommendation to JEF Leaders on Canadian membership.
Ministers also agreed the JEF's overarching policy direction and
a common framework for structuring engagement with partners.
3. To further increase the JEF's deterrence and peacetime
activity.
Defence Ministers received an update on the Lion Protector
series, conducted across Iceland and Norway this autumn, and
welcomed its synchronisation with the UK's Carrier Strike Group.
Ministers reviewed the JEF's five-year programme of activity and
welcomed continued efforts to strengthen coherence with NATO,
including work to align JEF response options with NATO regional
plans.
Ministers discussed Russia's hybrid activity against JEF nations
and other NATO Allies and agreed to continue developing common
approaches through JEF mechanisms. Despite Russia's unacceptable
acts of sabotage against JEF Nations and other Allies, they are
resolved to improving our individual and collective preparedness
to defend against these threats and will not be deterred from
supporting Ukraine. Ministers reiterate that JEF nations do not
seek confrontation and pose no threat to Russia, but Russia
should be in no doubt that we will defend ourselves.
Ministers also reviewed progress on defence industrial
cooperation following two meetings of JEF National Armaments
Directors since the Ankara Summit. They welcomed the pace of work
to identify practical opportunities for collaboration and the
importance of delivering tangible outcomes. Ministers reaffirmed
the need for collaboration in reinforcing interoperability,
advancing capability innovation, and strengthening shared
industrial resilience. Ministers looked forward to receiving
concrete proposals ahead of their next meeting. The Single
Services continue to deepen military engagement within the JEF,
including through work on the Northern Navies concept, in support
of the JEF's five-year exercise plan.
Finally, Ministers reaffirmed the JEF's vital contribution to a
stronger Europe within a stronger NATO. They highlighted the
JEF's unique role below the threshold of Article V, delivering
agile and credible responses to emerging challenges while
complementing NATO's deterrence and defence posture. Ministers
directed further work to demonstrate the JEF's contribution to
Euro-Atlantic security and ensure the Framework continues to meet
the evolving needs of our collective security.
Ministers thanked Iceland for hosting the next JEF Leaders'
Summit in Reykjavik next spring.
