Welcome to the new digital edition of Defence Procurement International. In this issue, we’ve turned our focus to the UK and its future defence and security relationship with Europe. Putting all the political bluster about Brexit to one side, it is difficult to see a future where the UK’s Armed Forces are not closely intertwined with their EU counterparts when it comes to defending their mutual defence and security interests. 

The UK has played a pivotal role in EU military operations such as Operation Atalanta, a counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia. As a third-country outside of the EU, the UK could continue to participate in EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions. But it would not enjoy the influence it currently has in the development, planning and leadership of these missions.

Post-Brexit, the UK could also develop a new kind of Framework Participation Agreement with the EU, which could see it commit personnel and equipment for the most demanding EU missions. 

Anita Hawser, Editor

IN THIS ISSUE