The European Union and the United Kingdom have established a new defense partnership, highlighted during the recent EU-UK Summit in London on May 19, 2025. This agreement aims to foster closer cooperation on security matters, including support for Ukraine and potential access for UK companies to the EU's €150 billion defense procurement plan, known as the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, emphasized that this partnership marks a significant step towards integrating the UK into Europe's defense investment program. The agreement covers various aspects, including industry collaboration, military mobility, peacekeeping, crisis management, and countering hybrid threats.
The SAFE program, a key component of the EU's broader ReArm Europe initiative, allows member states to access loans for investments in critical defense equipment. While the initial agreement sets the stage for UK participation, further negotiations are required to finalize the terms of access and the financial contributions expected from the UK.