As rhetoric continues, are NATO-EU defence differences too great to be resolved?
With the EU looking to move ever-closer towards the creation of its own de facto military alliance, the role of NATO in European security has been consistently questioned amid internal disputes and a shift in balance of power in light of Brexit.
The UK has reiterated its support for NATO as being the bedrock of Europe’s defence and security needs, with one minister stating that European countries ‘would feel a chill wind’ without a US contribution to the alliance.
Providing evidence to the House of Lords’ EU Security and Justice Sub-Committee on 1 December on the future of UK-EU defence cooperation, Baroness Annabel Goldie, Minister of State at the MoD, stated that 80% of defence investment into NATO now comes from non-EU members.
Goldie told the committee that NATO would ‘continue to be the dominant presence’ in European security, adding that while
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)]()
Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Shephard's Alix Valenti spoke to Project Kuiper's Rich Pang about the importance of enabling seamless communication between allied forces such as NATO members in challenging operational environments.
-
![Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft]()
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
![US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities]()
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
