A recent House of Commons Committee report highlights the strength and endurance of the UK-US relationship in defence, security, and intelligence.
The report emphasises the mutual benefits, with the UK reaping the rewards of US resources and economies of scale, while the US gains from British niche capabilities, global reach, and commitment to defending shared values.
However, the report also notes that “US defence export controls can limit defence industrial cooperation.” Furthermore, the lack of consultation with allies before taking action, as demonstrated by the Afghanistan withdrawal, can have negative consequences. Despite these challenges, the joint response to Russian actions in February 2022 showcases the value of the UK-US partnership.
The UK’s Crucial Role in NATO
As the report outlines, the UK commits most of its military capability to NATO and takes a leadership role within the alliance. It has been at the forefront of supporting eastern Allies and Ukraine, while also providing numerous senior officials and officers for NATO roles.
The UK’s maritime and air capabilities are largely fulfilled, but concerns have been raised about the ability of the British Army to deploy an effective force in continental Europe due to the failure to modernise land forces.
However, the UK’s focus on the High North and its leadership within the Joint Expeditionary Force are praised, as the report commends the “UK’s focus on the High North and its leadership within the Joint Expeditionary Force.”
NATO’s Preparedness for Russian Hostilities
Since 2014, NATO has been preparing for an escalation in Russian hostilities within Europe. The strategies and plans developed in recent years have been effective in guiding NATO’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. President Putin’s unprovoked aggression has managed to unite Europe, re-engage the US in Europe, and encourage Finland and Sweden to join NATO.
Nevertheless, NATO continues to face capability shortfalls, especially among its European Allies. As the US invests in new military technologies, there may be further interoperability issues within the alliance. Both NATO and the EU are investing in research and development, but their efforts must be complementary to address these challenges, as the report states, “investments and EU capability development programmes will need to be complementary to counter the interoperability issues.”
Western Military Equipment and the Ukrainian Conflict
The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has seen an influx of Western military equipment and weaponry sent to the front lines. While the Ukrainians have fought bravely and effectively, pushing back Russian advances, the report highlights concerns about the replenishment of Western warehouses and stockpiles. “Western industrial capacity does not appear to be able to match demand and it is clear that Government intervention is required.”
The current global situation underscores the ongoing need to deter aggressive actions that undermine the rules-based international order. The failure of Western governments to deter Russia raises questions about the effectiveness of current deterrence strategies, as the report points out, “The failure of Western Governments to deter Russia leads to questions about the effectiveness of the current deterrence posture.”
The UK needs to strengthen both its NATO contribution and at the same time seek further military integration with USA. When the cards are on the table it has been the US and UK that have led the international reaction to recent conflicts and this is likely to continue. Mistakes apart, the current UK/US concord bodes well for the future even if there remain some political tensions between the two nations. Strangely, the US is keen to draw closer military bonds with the UK but remains deaf to a meaningful and much-needed trade deal?
Spot on we’ve always stood by the USA why Biden won’t give UK a deal I find annoying really it would help out the economy then maybe the UK could put more money in Defence amongst other things ect NHS social care,and of course industry.Then top US military Generals might stop speaking out .
Biden’s recent visit to Northern Ireland and the South was somewhat imbalanced in regards to the amount of time spent in the former. One does question if Biden will make serious efforts in creating a UK/US trade deal? I doubt it very much due to his concerns about the EU/UK issue over Brexit. He is certainly not a fan of the current situation and that will remain the case until the next US election.
Dislike of the UK runs right across the Democratic Party, Obama hated us, Nancy hated us.
And the Republican Party is and always will be a s**t show, I’m not seeing any upside on the US political front ever for the UK.
They will always treat us with at best mild contempt.
I met a Whitehall observer years ago, possibly after 9/11, who had been in DC that day and asked him where we stood publicly. Rather astonished for him to say simply ‘We are the USA’s Gurkha’. The simple fact is that the UK establishment, notably the military and agencies, are so enmeshed with their opposite numbers it is hard to see any change happening. Instead, I would contend, it is the USA who is moving away from Europe and the UK, with its “pivot” to Asia and a possible confrontation in Asia with China. Can Europe defend itself, minus the USA?
Biden won’t give us a deal because we were playing silly git over the deal Boris signed for northern island over Brexit. Also there is nothing in it for the US unless we drop our standards. Polictics is all about short term events and very little to what we did or didn’t do in the past. Plus the US isn’t stupid, it knows we only stood with them because we wanted to appear relevent on the international stage and had nothing to do with actually supporting them. The US economy is many many times bigger than ours, there is no way we are going to get a good deal with the US that doesn’t massively favour US companies over UK ones. Just look at the Australia deal, small economy but the government’s own estimates indicate the trade deal brings nothing to the UK and loads to Australia.
We need to find out own path, so we can be an ally to Europe and the US whenever it suits us, rather then blindly following the US with zero benefit to the UK.
Would of be interesting to see how it would of work out of Trump won the election campaign.
Probably better for us worse for everyone else. We can always confiscate his golf courses 😀
Wouldn’t that be down to Hollyrood?
Not a clear cut statement ‘we’ve always stood by the USA’. has the USA ‘always stood’ by the UK? We demurred from the Vietnam war, we were annoyed over Grenada (a Commonwealth nation) they intervened in, let’s not gloss over the Falklands War and the diplomatic moves Al Haig made (yes Caspar W. acted differently). Nor the sometimes unhelpful stance during ‘The Troubles’.
Biden is the kind of American who’d have funded the IRA for years.
Exactly. He has this delusional and idilic view that Ireland is full of leprechauns and gold pots at the end of rainbows. I’m from Northern Ireland and lived through the Troubles. Believe me, there was nothing idilic about it! Terrorists – on both sides – didn’t care about the man on the street and were just that – terrorists!
I think he’s more like the Post-Colonial American who imagines that, despite being a multi-billionare leader of the most powerful nation on the world he has an axe to grind with Britain because somehow he’s a victim.
Theres nothing strange about it- They want the control-alway have and always will.
I think we have close enough ties with them militarily and do not want to see further ‘integration’ of our forces into theirs.
America does not do “partners”. Everyone is seen as a supplicant with the exclusion of Israel which actively conducts the kind of operations in the US that they have accused China of right up the direct bribery of political officials. Even having their PM make a visit to congress against the white-house wishes.
It’s polictics. Governments get voted in and out based on doing best for their own country and zero to do with being partners with others. Every country acts purely in their self interest. Long term allies only exist because interests don’t contradict but that can change over night. Look at the UK with Germany in ww1. We had been allies with them over France for a very long time but they challange the empire and we flipped sides to support France.
Yes I agree, however America has little to offer us and requires much in patronage.
Almost every major economy has bent over backwards to accommodate the UK including signing a comprehensive free trade agreement with the UK and joining CTPP yet our great friend and Allie has done zero. Despite at the time actively supporting us leaving the EU.
The UK needs to realise the US is not a friend per say just another country with similar goals and interests that is too big to care much about doing anything for anyone else if it’s not in its immediate self interest.
I don’t believe it’s the same for the US military and intelligence community that do see the long term value however their views are largely irrelevant unfortunately.
All our deals according to the governments own data show less than 1% increase in GDP combined, most are showing likely negative. Countries aren’t lining up to do trade with us, they are seeing us as weak and a chance to cash in. It’s just polictics, alliances aren’t important when it comes to trade, all that matters is that your own country gains from them. Alliances only matter when you need them, when no realistic threats you forced on local polictics.
The CTPP is meant to be a net zero increase to the economy, because we had good trade deals with the main countries already, it’s just a PR deal.
Laura Ks Sunday programme featured a beaming NZ PM, who was trying hard not to laugh when it was pointed out the ratio of benefits from the trade deal, when pressed to say it was fair he replied that everyone won from the deal.
Yeah the guy that was told to negotiated the deals by Truss came out and admitted his brief was to get a deal in time for some date (which i can’t remember, i think it was Biden visit or something like that) and it didn’t matter what the deal was just the date mattered. Joy of politicians getting involved, they just care about getting voted in again, don’t really care about long term damage (well the ones that seem to get to the top seem to have that mentality, not all are the same), as long as they can get away with it. Australia deal is a classic, the main parts don’t come in for 10 years, meaning the politicians that negotiated it will be long gone, but they got to sell it as a major Brexit benefit. Or the draft US deal which was going to be a secret and kept away from the public, so we didn’t see what the damage looked like to it was too late.
CTPP will bring 0.08% to the economy (governments own figures) in the long run, in return we accept a reduction in standards to allow extra inward goods.
and politicinas wonder why their machinations provoke such disdain- an absolute digrace.
Can’t really blame them, we continue to vote them in. So they know it works.
yeah I know- but every now and then the depths to which they plumb in order to feather their own nest and futures leaves a more than normal bitter taste…
Yep
The issue is the type of person that wants to get into polictics. Look at the local elections and it’s normally the busy bodies that want to make others do what they want them to do. As they climb the greesy pole, it just seems we end up with the worst types of people, only interested in self interest. It is also normally people that come of family wealth and are disconnected from the public.
I love America and our common shared bond and history, however I disagree, if anything we already have too much integration with the US structure. The US political system is increasingly erratic and less Anglo focused. Atlanticism is a dead principal in the US outside of the military and their dealings with the UK post Brexit has been a times close to hostile.
The US often tends to shower “Allie’s” like Ireland and Israel with gifts not because they provide any benefit to the American people but due to machinations of old politicians that some how see these countries as a “homeland” . While treating capable Allie’s like the UK as some form of poodle thinking that we sent 50,000 soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan form them out of some form of debt or obligation or need of their “security umbrella”.
The UK spends some £50 billion a year and has the worlds third largest core military budget. It should spend that money on developing its own sovereign capabilities not an add on to US foreign policy which is also increasingly erratic.
The UK faces no security threat it can’t deal with on its own, while I am all to happy to support the rules based order it needs to be made clear to Washington and every dipshit in Congress that the world rules based order is as much our legacy and Europes as theirs and indeed they need to start following some of those rules they claim to cherish so much like the law of the sea that they have never ratified along with almost every other bit of global legislation they promoted.
We should gradually start to dismantle much of our shared architecture probably starting with a UK replacement for trident II as well as removing most dependency on US weapons and systems.
And the phrase “special relationship” is frankly embarrassing and should be banned.
America uses this all the time to imply dependency of the UK on Washington and it damages us across the world.
A more comprehensive reply than mine (you must have more time on your hands than I🙂 ) but yes in essence I agree with that sentiment. Apart from the first sentence-We don’t really have a lot of shared history with them no more than the French, Dutch, Irish, other than the language and the fact we owned them for a while of course until old Georgie boy decided it was too much trouble.
Yes, the shared history is often imagined and more a post ww2 construct than anything. I still really like Americans just not their political system or politicians and I don’t want to be associated with it. I certainly don’t want to spend £50 billion a year to subsidise its foreign policy and to be treated like a joke for doing so.
👍
I also concur with the sentiment. How to achieve it will be difficult!
I hope there is more behind this relationship that we don’t see. Im not sure how we benefit from ‘economies of scale’ any more than any other customer? But i do think our enemies are their enemies and beneath the political level there is a partnership based on both professionalism and shared past trials and tribulations (if you forget Grenada and Suez!!)
That simply won’t change until Biden has gone. He showed his utter contempt for the UK by snubbing the Coronation … And there is no other way to view that other than a massively insulting, calculated and deliberate snub….
I would add though, playing devil’s advocate, why would the US take us seriously when we have effectively disarmed and shrank our military capacity to dangerously low levels over the last 30 years, throwing our defence into American hands effectively.
RAF fast air in particular, has been reduced to little more than a flying club!
Doing this effectively shows we don’t believe we are a major power anymore, so why would others take us seriously??
We can no longer deploy mass to assist the US, there is no mass to deploy….
Despite the seismic events of Ukraine, sending a wake up call to NATO, we have done nothing of substance and show no signs of rebuilding our armed forces, bar political bullshit and hot air.
So a case of put up or shut up perhaps….
The contempt came from the way Biden was treated at the late Queen’s funeral. He was asked not to do this and that in regards to the motorcade then put in the equivalent of the upper circle once inside the Abbey. I believe the French were treated better.
Trump stated he would have ensured he would have had a front-row seat and nothing else, and I’m sure he would have succeeded.
A shiver always goes down my back when US presidents claim Scottish or Irish lineage as it really means, ‘So watch it you English.’
I don’t believe you are being totally fair to our brilliant forces. Though smaller than in previous decades the quality is undiminished and as seen in Ukraine is worth twice if not thrice, the number of so-called regular Russian troops.
It’s absolutely no reflection on our armed forces, simple fact is the RAF has gone from 30 plus fighter squadrons to pityful handful.
Like I said, more of a flying club unfortunately.
It’s hard to be taken seriously if your Airforce can’t even muster double digit fast jet squadrons,
a sad, but unassailable fact…
Our government simply don’t care.
The older imperial power is enjoying her cheerleader role. So pathetic.
Hi folks hope all is well.
Agreed can see the concept of the report. Understand the sentiments set out within it.
I’m glad to see that air and maritime are recognised as largely in good shape and fulfilled.
It’s the issue with the army that raises concerns. However, every economically advance nation’s military have their issues. When push comes to shove, the UK is one of the very few that has the ability to deploy globally an expeditionary force. The US, France to a degree, although they requested assistance for the Mali intervention with airlift. Obviously I’m open to you experts on this site to advise me further on this matter. Although I’m slightly nervous for our military if Labour are in control following the next general election!
Cheers,
George
I would not be nervous about anything under labour, shipbuilding is bomb proof under labour now and defence at 2% of GDP can’t be cut by anyone anymore.
Why would the UK ever need to send a large army to Europe, 400 million people in Europe with all the technology and money to take on anyone. No need for us to subsidise Germany’s boarder defence.
Aye the headline that’s certainly one way to put it…….😃
We are hands down greatest nation in the history of nations over the last 500 years yet for some reason now seem to want everybody else making decisions for us. Simply cannot understand why we can’t get leaders who’s sole aim is doing what’s best for the British people, in our interests before cow towing to Abody else.
Its clear our masters believe the concept of sovereignty is obsolete it’s an anachronism
🏴🇬🇧
Would moving back to basing some heavy equipment in Europe be a more cost effective way forward??
It’d be where it’s needed and allow easier cooperation with other NATO members.
I’ve read most of the comments on the article. From my perspective, the thing the British don’t seem to understand or want to be involved in is the intense lobbying/courting of US politicians by foreign countries. AIPAC (Israeli lobbying) is notorious for being feared by US politicians and having most of them in its pocket. I also think it’s obvious to anyone paying attention that Netanyahu’s recklessness reflects this fact. That they have been given consecutive 10 year deals of $30-$40 billion worth of free military equipment while having never fought alongside the US in any conflict is really something. Then add in the fact they gave the F-16 blueprints (IAI Lavi) to China. NSO Group has been compromising democracies the world over with their spyware over the last several years. Lately, if you look on the front page of defensenews.com, it seems half of all new equipment orders are for Israeli defense equipment (Elbit and Rafael). Well obviously they’ve got some great tech and are now selling it themselves. When your own defense firms are losing orders to a country you’re supplying with free equipment & tech, I mean at what point do you stop giving them free equipment??? Certainly the events in Ukraine would bolster the argument that the $38 billion the Israeli’s are getting from 2017-2028 would be much better off going to European allies, allowing the US to more confidently concentrate on its pivot to the Pacific. In my opinion it’s obvious the UK should invest in US political lobbying instead of simply relying on the past. I understand very well the British sense of modesty and natural aversion to ‘lobbying’ your partners and friends, especially when you have a ‘Special Relationship’ and can rely on high-level contacts. But the American public as well as its politicans NEED TO be reminded AT LEAST ONCE that it’s the Brits that have been and are still capable of fighting alongside them in practically every domain, sphere, and geographical location there is.
That’s bribery, would be illegal in the UK and it would be illegal for us to actually do in America.
Israel wants things from America primarily buckets of money, America had zero to offer us so no point in lobbying them for anything.
Best just to quietly walk away, see if Israel can help then out in the South China Sea 😀
Maybe Dublins got a carrier strike group it could send from all that tax they steal.
Do not judge everyone by our standards. The legality of what constitutes bribery in politics varies around the world. In the US the politicians carefully made legal what most of the rest of the world regards as bribery. As such, the UK joining other countries in conforming to their political ‘support’ norms would not be illegal. UK companies like BAE already do so, with very positive results.
How about Russia, your favourite subject? Bribes and bribery is small fry there when illegal invasions, murder, rape, torture, nonceing, recruitment and freeing of cat A cons etc etc is daily routine!
Great post, with some thought provoking points I had not considered…
Especially when Israel has been very lukewarm on supporting Ukraine
Like the auxilia to Rome, or Jodhpur/Jaipur/Mysore to Great Britain, we are the vassal/imperial auxiliary to the American Empire. Nothing to be ashamed of, and far more than the Germans can offer right now!
(and before anyone says anything, vassals and allies are often the same thing in a uni/bipolar world)
I thought the point was he was only going to do one term and then hand off to younger hands…he’s almost 81 FFS and would be almost 83 at the start of a new term…the man has a 7%-10% chance of just dropping dead each year…as he will be almost 90 by the end..I think his chances of not finishing his second term would be over 70%…thats not really a good idea to have a leader that likely to drop dead.
Hmmm…on a somewhat related topic, note w/ a combination of satisfaction (for having predicted this diplomatic maneuver), as well as private amusement, that Canada on May 8, 2023 has expressed a publicly stated interest in joining Pillar 2 AUKUS activities (specifically highlighting AI and quantum computing), per statement if Canadian Defense Minister. This is a totally predictable, if belated, maneuver by Canada; the current Canadian government may be parsimonious w/ re to defense spending, but they are not brain dead. They fully realize that the premier R&D train of the 21st century is departing the station and are rushing to grab a seat, before it is too late. Now, typically attempt not to be too mercenary re defense matters, but in this Instance, suggest that HMG should consider construction of a list of projects that the Canadians should assist in, as a tariff for belated interest (e.g., several more T-26s on the Canadian credit card or perhaps another tranche of F-35Bs?). Truly believe original AUKUS members should consider enacting a surcharge or tariff from the multitude of nations that will inevitably clamor to board the AUKUS Pillar 2 R&D train (you all know it is only a matter of time before the French and Germans request participation), desiring access to leading edge defense technology at the friends and family discount rate. Alternatively, have considerably more sympathy for the Kiwis, as they have a strictly limited population and budget, and deserve assistance and support in being kept from the clutches of the slimeball ChiComs. Perhaps something for taxpayers to ponder at the margin…,🤔😳😉😁
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… statement of Canadian…🙄
Being left out of AUKUS was a complete embarrassment to the Canadian government and also to the Canadian top brass. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of the chief of defence staff’s office when he heard this news.
A recent poll shows 2/3 of Canadians support the 2% GDP target.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/about-two-thirds-of-canadians-support-increasing-defence-spending-to-reach-nato-target-nanos-1.6386522#:~:text=Most%20Canadians%20support%20increasing%20defence,NATO's%20two%20per%20cent%20target.
Canada is slow to the threats afoot now but catching up. Throwing out a ranking Chinese diplomat for extortion and chicanery recently, locking Huweii (Nortel) out of sensitive infrastructure contracts and the the two Michaels affair has pissed off a lot of Canadians.
New Subs will be needed within 10 years and Canada will only benefit from this participation.
Interesting perspective, the real bottom line will be whether Canadians actually elect a pro-defence (defense) Conservative government in the next general election. Canada has a large, vested self-interest and significant stake in the almost inevitable multi-party conflict coming soon to the Arctic region.
You will find in Canadian politics that it really does not matter who is in office when it pertains to defence. Canadian views on defence was a low priority. Stephen Harper of the conservatives is a case in point He started a lot of ambitious ‘Canada first’ defence ideas ( including a large FOB in the Arctic, now just a refueling station) and they all fell short. He failed to pull the trigger on the f-35s and the frigate replacement program was kicked down the road for a number of years. All common problems in Canada since the 60s.
It seems now the main parties in Canada see defence as a something that they have support for from the electorate ( Maybe not the NDP) The Russian invasion affected the Canadian population’s opinion on security.
Canadian Arctic sovereignty has the Harry DeWolfe class OPVs,Aurora surveillance planes and NORAD Systems which Canada committed $4 billion to in improvement funding this year. Subs would be welcome and could be replenished by the Harry DeWolfe OPVs. The Arctic is vast… vast.
We are beyond the area of joint benefits in our relationship. The UK is now the lap dog of the US. I have worked in the Defence Industry for forty-five years. The US constantly seeks to undermine and destroy UK sovereign capability, and has very successfully blocked UK defence exports for years.
There is currently a huge campaign to undermine the Tempest program and join with US programs. This would be the death knell for the UK Aerospace Industry.
Have we learned nothing from the numerous current catastrophic US defence contractor managed programs? Ajax, Morpheus, F111, etc CSP’s (Capability Sustainment Programs) for British programmes ie Warrior are scrapped while contracts are awarded to US contractors with no Parent company guarantees, ESCROW accounts, legally enforceable workshare or jobs creation. The US see us as a cash cow.
It is immensely frustrating to me that we develop outstanding programs such as Brimstone and then buy inferior US system such as JAGM because AH64 integration costs to aircraft are controlled by the US – AH64 is arguably too expensive anyhow now. The UK should proceed with a domestic solution and integrate our own weapons.
Even for those unfamiliar with the defence sector, it must now be apparent that the US will never integrate a world beating weapon design (Unless Congress controls the export of said item) from a foreign nation, prior to a US equivalent/alternative being developed. (some would say copied) and integrated to the Platform first. The lobbying system alone ensures domestic US requirements will not be placed on foreign contractors.
The MoU on ASRAAM/AMRAAM is a classic example. Could anyone realistically see the US buying 10,000+ AAM’s from Europe? Meanwhile we seem happy to destroy our domestic capability? A vehicles have gone, Cannon manufacture, small arms etc
F35 is a classic example. METEOR & SPEAR integration originally slated for the middle of this decade, now officially 2027 with the caveat “and there is a possibility that integration pressures in the programme may incur further delays because of challenges in the wider F-35 programme.”
When this is translated to plain English, it actually means ‘When the USA has completed AIM260 development, testing , production and integration to F35. METEOR will be looked at – so expect METEOR integration to F35 to be 2032 ish. Meanwhile there is already an active US marketing campaign for the UK to buy AIM260…..Commonality, ease of logistics, cost are all touted as reasons to avoid the mid life upgrade to METEOR.
This disturbing comment appears in the Defence Equipment Plan 2021 – 2031 “METEOR Mid-Life Upgrade Concept Study. This two- year study will deliver its findings in mid-2023, to determine the optimum solution of future Meteor capabilities and affordability.” The last word is key, the US will ensure that cost shown to be attractive…..at first sight.
We have the capability, skills and knowledge to develop and field our own systems, and achieve an agreed level of autarchy. If we fail to do this we will become an offshore territory of the US.
The hubris of our politicians is manifest and disturbing.