Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Relationships with European Allies

Monday 12 December 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK works with European allies through NATO and other groupings such as the Joint Expeditionary Force and the Northern Group.
  • The UK is collaborating with Italy and Japan on the Tempest fighter jet programme to create defence jobs across the country.
  • The UK has established a fund to provide 600 million in armaments and training to Ukraine, involving international partners for ongoing support.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marco Longhi
Defence
Context

The question pertains to the UK's defence collaboration with Europe, specifically mentioning bilateral and multilateral efforts within NATO and other alliances.

Question

What steps is his Department taking to strengthen defence relationships with European allies?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The UK works bilaterally and multilaterally through NATO and other groupings, including the Joint Expeditionary Force, the Northern Group and the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force with France. I recently met the new Italian Defence Minister to discuss Tempest and the security of the Mediterranean, and later today I will host the Hungarian Defence Minister as we seek to progress Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Marco Longhi
Defence Brexit
Context

The questioner highlights the joint venture between UK, Italy, and Japan in the Tempest programme as an example of Brexit Britain and seeks support for a country-wide supply chain, including his constituency.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that the joint venture between the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan in the Tempest programme for the new fighter jet is a great example of Brexit Britain? Will he also support ensuring that the supply chain that it will ultimately use is country-wide, including my Dudley constituency?

Answer from Ben Wallace

We are working with international partners on the Tempest programme and unlocking expert markets such as the Type-26, leading to tens of thousands of defence jobs in the UK. However, the Labour party struggles to understand this.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Support for a nationwide supply chain including Dudley constituency was not addressed specifically.

How: Attack

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Geraint Davies Lab
Ukraine
Context

The question pertains to the UK's actions in increasing armament supplies for Ukraine as it prepares for a potential spring offensive, following Vladimir Putin's threat to starve and freeze Ukraine.

Question

Vladimir Putin clearly plans to starve and freeze Ukraine this winter. What is being done to increase the number of armaments—not just from the UK but across Europe—so that Ukraine can gain ground now, not later?

Answer from Ben Wallace

We have set up a fund which has accrued €600 million including donations from Norway and the Netherlands. We are training Ukrainian forces in the UK to use weapons systems effectively. Continued work with international partners will ensure delivery of necessary armaments throughout next year.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email