The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that work is under way to deliver a national roadmap for deeper interoperability with NATO allies, following a key commitment in the Strategic Defence Review published on 2 June 2025.
In a written response to James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Defence Al Carns said: “The Strategic Defence Review is clear that our defence policy is ‘NATO First’. The Armed Forces must be capable of operating as part of a NATO force by design.”
He added: “We are taking this forward with and through NATO, which will produce an Interoperability Plan for the Alliance by the end of the year. The Military Strategic Headquarters has appointed an interoperability champion to support the implementation of this plan.”
Carns also confirmed that the UK’s own roadmap will be developed alongside the new Integrated Force Design, with officials from both initiatives meeting regularly. “The UK’s own roadmap for delivering deeper interoperability with NATO allies will be developed alongside our Integrated Force Design. Officials within the Department meet regularly to discuss both initiatives, however, information regarding the total number of meetings is not held in the format requested,” he said.
The Strategic Defence Review set January 2026 as the target for completing the interoperability roadmap, part of a wider effort to ensure that British forces can integrate more closely with NATO allies across all domains, including cyber, maritime and space.
I have not heard anything about the new MoD MSHQ since about April. All I know is that it is headed up by CDS, probably was established a few months ago and perhaps works out of offices at MoD Main Buildng. No idea of staffing, structure, ORBAT. Such a quiet launch. How do they deconflict with CJO at PJHQ? Anyone have any details?