Defence Committee launches inquiry into the UK’s contribution to European security

Today the Defence Committee launches an inquiry into the UK's contribution to European security.

This inquiry will examine the UK's contribution to NATO and its bilateral defence relationships with other European countries. This inquiry will look at the UK's contribution to multilateral frameworks outside of NATO. In addition, it will explore the UK's NATO and non-NATO European commitments. The inquiry will also examine where the UK provides niche capabilities and where other European allies might be relied upon to provide them.

The inquiry will assess UK Defence's standing in the region and whether the UK's contribution to European security is both cohesive and effective.

Deadline for written evidence submissions is 17 January 2025.

Chair of the Defence Committee, Tan Dhesi MP, said:

“With war raging on the continent of Europe and the UK's defence priorities under the spotlight, it should be no surprise that this is the first new inquiry launched by the new Defence Committee in this Parliament. We recognise that the continent and the world have entered the increasingly complex and fraught environment that has long been predicted by experts. Great power competition and multipolarity have moved from distant threat to reality. This inquiry will focus on how the UK can best contribute to European security in this new uncertain world.

“The UK plays an important role within NATO structures, and via its bilateral relationships and involvement in multilateral groupings. Our inquiry, launched today, asks what specialist or unique capabilities the UK and each of our European NATO allies brings to the table, and what the current capability gaps are. This inquiry will also look beyond NATO and examine how the UK can best engage with European defence and security structures.

“We expect that the decisions made as part of the Strategic Defence Review will continue to assure the UK's contribution to European security. However, given the ever-increasing threat, we must assess whether UK Defence's efforts are cohesive and providing real deterrence to those who wish to do harm to us, our shared values and our way of life.”

The Committee welcomes written evidence on:  

• What role does the UK play in European and NATO deterrence?
• What should a NATO-first approach look like?
• What are the UK's current military commitments to NATO and in what time frame can these be met?
• What are NATO Allies' view of UK current (and projected) force posture?
• Where are the current capability gaps amongst the European Allies of NATO?
• Where do NATO Allies rely on the UK to provide a unique capability?
• What areas could the UK rely on NATO European Allies to provide specialist capabilities?
• What could the UK learn from its NATO European Allies on improving military and industrial capability?
• Is the UK meeting its obligations under Article 3 of the Washington Treaty?
• What role do the UK's non-NATO commitments play in European security?
• What is the contribution to European security of the UK's bilateral and multilateral relationships in Europe which exist outside of NATO?
• How can the UK best engage with the EU's defence and security structures?