At the Munich Security Conference on Saturday 14 February 2026, the Prime Minister will argue that Europe should move from overdependence on the United States to interdependence and a more European NATO, anchored by deeper UK–EU cooperation. The message is framed as a security and prosperity imperative in light of Russia’s threat. (gov.uk)
He will emphasise that the United States remains indispensable, while urging European allies to assume a greater share of hard power and to expand joint procurement to contain costs and raise output. The proposals are set to be tabled in Munich to support faster rearmament and better interoperability. (ft.com)
This direction now has an institutional home. On 19 May 2025 the EU and UK concluded a Security and Defence Partnership creating structured high‑level dialogues, broadened thematic cooperation from maritime and cyber to hybrid threats, and scope-by mutual agreement-for UK participation in selected EU defence‑related programmes such as the proposed SAFE instrument. (gov.uk)
Ministers are setting the case against a funding uplift. Government material cites a defence budget totalling £270 billion across this Parliament, alongside the plan announced on 25 February 2025 to move core defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027-rising to 2.6% when the Single Intelligence Account is included-funded in part by reducing ODA to 0.3% of GNI. (gov.uk)
Industrial capacity is central. The Prime Minister will argue that protracted procurement and duplication must give way to collective solutions and that the UK is ready to participate in initiatives that accelerate investment and expand output; separate reporting indicates a multinational purchasing drive to reduce rearmament costs. (gov.uk)
Recent bilateral programmes are presented as proof‑points. Norway’s August 2025 decision to select British Type 26 frigates in a partnership worth about £10 billion is expected to sustain thousands of UK jobs and strengthen NATO’s northern maritime deterrence through a jointly planned anti‑submarine fleet. (gov.uk)
In October 2025 Türkiye agreed to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in a deal worth up to £8 billion-the first new UK Typhoon order since 2017-supporting a 20,000‑strong UK workforce while bolstering NATO air capability in a key region. (gov.uk)
Long‑range strike cooperation is advancing in parallel. MBDA’s Future Cruise/Anti‑Ship Weapon-now branded STRATUS-has progressed towards its development phase with the UK, France and Italy; the three countries also placed additional ASTER orders to rebuild air‑defence stocks, while Germany and the UK agreed cooperation on long‑range precision weapons. (newsroom.mbda-systems.com)
Politically, the speech marks a decisive reset from the “Brexit years”, arguing UK and European security are inseparable and seeking consent for sustained investment at home. The framing aligns with wider allied calls for Europe to shoulder more of NATO’s burden without weakening transatlantic ties. (theguardian.com)
For departments, agencies and contractors, the practical implications are clear: expect fuller use of the EU–UK dialogue to align standards, explore SAFE‑linked opportunities and bundle orders; anticipate joint‑procurement pilots and quicker contracting cycles to scale munitions output; and prepare workforce and supply‑chain plans for a multi‑year uplift in spending. (gov.uk)