Both countries have recently unveiled new plans for
improving security, following the UK’s announcement of
the Modernising Defence Programme and the US
publication of its National Defense Strategy.
The two programmes are closely aligned in their
thinking, with a strong emphasis on modernising forces
to tackle the increasing shared threats faced on
several fronts, while strengthening international
alliances and forging new ones.
In his first visit to Washington DC as Defence
Secretary, said:
Our two countries face the same threats in an
increasingly dangerous world. We stand shoulder to
shoulder on the battlefield, we share vital
intelligence and technology, and our century-long
relationship is the closest of any two allies across
the globe. Together, we will always keep the streets
of the UK and the US safe, protect our citizens, and
defend our way of life.
Current threats to prosperity and safety, including
Russia, North Korea and the ongoing fight against
Daesh, were high on the agenda during a meeting at the
Pentagon that reinforced the UK’s position as the US’s
defence partner of choice.
NATO remains the cornerstone of UK and US defence and
ahead of the NATO Summit in July, both countries have
been calling for other nations to invest more in
security. The US and UK are the two largest
contributors to NATO, and among just six countries
pledging at least 2% of their GDP to defence.
The UK’s defence trade partnership with the US is worth
$3billion, including collaboration on several key
projects such as the F-35 programme, Unmanned Air
Systems and a Common Missile Compartment for UK-US
Ballistic Missile Submarines.
An even closer bond is expected after Brexit, as the UK
pursues new relationships and trade deals outside of
Europe, which the Secretary of State emphasised when he
visited the British-American Business Association
during his visit.
