The agreement is a sign of intent to formalise a number of
ongoing initiatives between the two Armies, boosting
opportunities to co-operate effectively as modern warfare
continues to evolve.
Key cutting-edge capabilities have been identified for
closer collaboration to help narrow the gaps between UK and
US forces so we can operate seamlessly together in future
battlespaces.
This will involve developing innovative solutions together
to tackle shared threats and operational challenges that
affect both nations and help protect and defend peace and
security across the globe.
Minster for the Armed Forces said:
In an age of great power competition and constant
conflict, there is an even greater onus on us to work
together with our greatest allies.
This agreement signals our shared determination to
develop the novel capabilities that will give us that
battle-winning edge and opportunity for the defence
industry on both sides of the Atlantic. It is a reminder
that, in a more challenging and uncertain world, Global
Britain remains the United States partner of choice.
The initial plan aims to cover complementing capabilities
from 2023 to 2027, and will focus on:
- Networks – the shared development of digital
infrastructure to support UK/US operations
- Long Range Precision Fires – improving the bi-lateral
capability development
- Future Vertical Lift – creating closer affiliation in
the development of helicopter capability
- Soldier and Ground Lethality – building on the existing
collaboration to improve the effectiveness of Land forces
- Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT) –
providing greater coherence in the development of
Multi-Domain technologies
The signing took place at the Ministry of Defence where the
Minister for the Armed Forces and the US Secretary of the
Army discussed in detail the plans to work together to
modernise programmes and capabilities of shared importance.
US Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy said:
The United Kingdom, one of our strongest allies, has
helped secure our shared interests and values since the
World Wars of the last century. Today, we continue to
rely on our allies to posture ourselves for future
threats, project power, deter and, if necessary, defeat
our adversaries. This partnership allows costly and
complex problems to be distributed and helps protect the
industrial base through enabling faster innovation and
cost-sharing towards achieving our modernization
priorities.
This agreement is in line with the ambitions of the
upcoming Integrated Review, with modernisation and
pioneering capabilities at its core, protecting the UK and
our allies against the threats of tomorrow.
The review will look at modernising military equipment and
improving the capability of our world-class Armed Forces
and intelligence agencies alongside our Allies.
