The Ministry of Defence has detailed how the UK is supporting NATO’s push to expand defence industrial capacity across Europe, according to a letter from Defence Minister Luke Pollard to the Defence Committee.
Pollard wrote that the Strategic Defence Review established a “NATO-First” policy, ensuring national activity is aligned with Alliance objectives.
Under this framework, the UK engages with allies, partners and industry through the NATO Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD), which meets twice a year at senior level and more frequently at working level to identify opportunities for co-research, co-development and co-production of military equipment.
The minister said the UK has taken a leading role in shaping NATO’s Defence Production Action Plan and the Industrial Capacity Expansion pledge, both of which now guide the Alliance’s industrial agenda. He confirmed the UK is represented at two-star level on the Defence Industrial Production Board and its sub-structures, helping to oversee implementation and drive forward efforts to expand production capacity.
Pollard also noted that exportability remains a central factor in the development of new platforms and capabilities, particularly as NATO members increase spending to meet new commitments.
He highlighted NATO Multi-National Procurement Initiatives (NATO MPIs) as an important mechanism, pointing to two UK-led initiatives on munitions and missiles.
These, he said, not only support Alliance stockpiles but also create export opportunities and provide frameworks for European coordination on procurement, potentially aligning with EU efforts such as the SAFE instrument.
