Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Joe Biden agreed a number of steps to enhance “the world’s strongest bilateral defence and security partnership”, say the UK Government.

The steps agreed today between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden will help both countries respond to, and get ahead of, the evolving threats of the 21st century.

According to a news release:

“The UK and US will enhance their work to shape and secure the international order of the future, with NATO as the bedrock of our collective defence. Our two nations will work together to further strengthen and modernise NATO, and increase its common funding, so the Alliance can harness the full range of military and non-military capabilities to tackle existing and emerging threats, including malicious cyber activity and attacks that test the resilience of our societies.

The US and UK will continue to modernise and integrate our armed forces, and strengthen bilateral cooperation on next generation capabilities. The unique interoperability of the UK and US Armed Forces is demonstrated by the key role US forces are playing in the UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG21). Nine ships, 32 aircraft and 3,700 personnel set sail in May on the Strike Group’s seven-month maiden operational deployment around the world.

The integration of a US destroyer and Marine Corps jets into CSG21 shows our intent to further improve interoperability between NATO Allies as we jointly develop 5th generation carrier strike capability.The deployment is emblematic of how the US and UK work together to defend our shared values, uphold the rules-based international order and tackle the threats of the future.”

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

“It’s no secret that the US is our closest friend and most important defence partner. Combining the largest defence budget in the world and the largest defence budget in Europe, the US-UK alliance is a bulwark against those that aim to undermine the rules-based international order.

The extra £24 billion of UK Defence spending over the next four years means we have the resources going forward to modernise our Armed Forces and further integrate with allies so we can tackle the threats of the future together.”

You can read more here.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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dave12
dave12
2 years ago

We are going to need it with our depleted numbers over the past ten years.

Paul42
Paul42
2 years ago

The UK needs to do a lot more to modernise and strengthen the few assets we have. The modest increase in defence spending is not enough. No point in building Type 26 and 31 if you can’t be bothered to fill the Mk41 vls on Tupe 26 and install decent array of offensive weapons on the 31s….

geoff
geoff
2 years ago

They seem to have established a good personal relationship and the “Sausage War” has not sullied things, but on that subject Boris needs to tread carefully and act wisely. I accept that there is an agreement in place and we need to honour same but at the same time looking to amend things that need amending, the absurd sausage saga included. Whilst rules are rules it is ridiculous and outrageous that we cannot send British sausages to any part of the UK. There has to be a way in this age of superb technology whereby an invisible border may be… Read more »

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 years ago
Reply to  geoff

I think people on both sides of the discussion have seen that the EU has been playing some pretty risky politics with NI. Not saying I don’t think our glorious leader did not walk strait into it by promising the earth and then rushing to sign a bad agreement.

geoff
geoff
2 years ago
Reply to  geoff

100% Cam. I try to look at things as objectively as possible despite my NI roots but there is no doubt that there is much bitterness within sections of the EU regarding Brexit,some of it perhaps understandable.However a breakdown over NI is in nobody’s interests so let us hope that a workable long term plan can be reached

Andrew D
Andrew D
2 years ago

Like the way war ships on the cost line with POW in sight showing the USA a bit of British muscle 💪

Reaper
Reaper
2 years ago

Acutely aware I’m always negative but why break the habit… we hear this special relationship/solidification of unity pish every 4 years. Groundhog Day. Until someone in this mostly one way partnership does or says something groundbreaking I will remain wound up by the absolute wankery that goes on. I like the Americans, they saved my plts arse on more than one occasion not that long ago. I also admire their intelligence, they’ve got us in the palm of their hand whilst our senior brass flap around with hands on 58 pattern belts round jackets trying out-‘blue sky and think’ them… Read more »

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
2 years ago
Reply to  Reaper

I was enjoying and applauding that but half way through I just found I wasn’t understanding any of it thereafter I’m afraid, maybe it was military language or something I don’t know I’m afraid.

David Steeper
2 years ago

US is definitely our most important ally but hope we’re honest with ourselves about the ‘special relationship’. Go on any US news site and you’ll never hear the phrase. The only places you’ll hear it are over here. The truth is that the US only has one ‘special relationship and that’s Israel. History should be a warning about how far we should trust the US.

Monty
Monty
2 years ago
Reply to  David Steeper

I can assure our friends across the pond we know the relationship UK is our strongest military alliance. We have great military interaction with several other nations like Singapore, Australia, Japan and Israel too.

Last edited 2 years ago by Monty
Herodotus
Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  David Steeper

I think that many find the term ‘special relationship’ somewhat toe curling. About time it was ditched!

JohnG
JohnG
2 years ago

Put bluntly, we need to increase our military spending and use it to increase our military hardware so that we are less reliant on America. America cares about America, end of. Every country America visits is ‘their most important partner’. This belittles us, one of America’s actual true allies, and probably one of the only ones to significantly support them in military action, and down plays this support we give them. I wish we had the strength to be a bit more cooler with the yanks like Germany is. This is not a swipe at the American people, nor the… Read more »

Chris
Chris
2 years ago
Reply to  JohnG

As an American, I think the Germans are naive to how close they are to the end of the leash. Support for Germany and their backdoor dealings with Russia is not partisan in the US. Neither political theater is flattered with it.

JohnG
JohnG
2 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Yes I think your spot on with that Chris. Issue is though, USA has the same desire as the UK, to prevent EU getting fully United and forming Thier own armed forces, Germany is a key player in the EU so I guess America wants to keep them on side?

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
2 years ago
Reply to  JohnG

There won’t be a shooting war with China u less anyway they become so powerful and Imperialistic that they start striking out at allies like India or Japan. However that would only happen if there was a big misstep because they don’t need to if plan A continues as it is. They will increasingly frighten in theatre countries and intimidate them into acquiescence and hopefully for them becoming crony states. Then further afield increasingly in Africa and South America it will all happen gradually and western markets will (already are becoming) just a cherry for them. Merkel said today at… Read more »

Meirion X
Meirion X
2 years ago
Reply to  JohnG

It is better to stand together against China, rather than being picked off one at a time by China.

Last edited 2 years ago by Meirion X
Karl
Karl
2 years ago

For that read “Boris send an aircraft carrier the marines need it”
Reply ” Of course Joe, anything Joe, would you like anything else Joe”?
We should be grateful, he is the first Democrat Potus not to have gone to war in the first few months of his term.

Meirion X
Meirion X
2 years ago
Reply to  Karl

Potus’es Don’t go to war, within a few months of their first term. It is usually midway!

Last edited 2 years ago by Meirion X
dan
dan
2 years ago

Would anyone trust these 2 to watch your kids? lol

borg
borg
2 years ago
Reply to  dan

What does that mean ? Just a bit confused.

Meirion X
Meirion X
2 years ago
Reply to  borg

I am as well, mate!

Karl
Karl
2 years ago
Reply to  dan

Cracked me up that.

Meirion X
Meirion X
2 years ago
Reply to  dan

What about friends of ex-Potus?
One D-in-Prison.
It tells you something about ex-Potus!

Last edited 2 years ago by Meirion X