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Written question asked by Callum Anderson (Labour) on Friday, 30 May 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 June 2025. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Monday, 9 June 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Defence: UK Relations with EU

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to facilitate the UK defence industry’s access to the EU’s €150 billion defence loan programme, in the context of the UK-EU security and defence partnership.

Answer

As this is a critical moment for the security of our continent, we welcome European efforts to increase defence spending, through the ReArm initiative including the EU’s €150 billion loan programme, also known as SAFE (Security Action for Europe).

The UK and the EU have agreed an ambitious new Security and Defence Partnership as part of a wider package of the UK-EU reset. Crucially, the Security and Defence Partnership means the UK now meets the criteria for discussing participation in common procurement under SAFE, which could provide new opportunities for our defence industry. Recognising the important role that the UK’s defence industry plays already for European security, we have set out our ambition to swiftly explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the proposed SAFE instrument, as soon as the EU’s necessary processes are complete.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
55761
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Defence EU grants and loans UK relations with EU Security action for Europe
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk