Securing a lasting peace in Ukraine and strengthening bonds
between NATO allies will be the focus of discussions during the
Defence Secretary's visit to Washington on Wednesday and Thursday
– including a meeting with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth.
MP will hail the unparalleled
depth of the UK's special relationship with the US - the UK's
closest security ally – as both nations continue to collaborate
on military operations, peacekeeping, intelligence gathering, and
development of advanced technologies - bolstering security and
supporting economic growth.
The Defence Secretary's arrival in Washington DC comes as the UK
receives the last of an order of 50 of the latest generation
AH-64E attack helicopters for the British Army, the most advanced
attack helicopter in the world. The helicopter was handed over
yesterday (4 March) at the Boeing site in Arizona under a
programme that supports more than 300 UK jobs, helping to grow
the UK economy - underscoring defence as an engine for driving
economic growth.
The visit also comes at the conclusion of the 50th occurrence of
Exercise Red Flag in Nevada, a joint exercise with the UK, United
States and Australia. The training is designed to test equally
matched air forces in a realistic combat scenario and involves
more than 3,000 military personnel in high-intensity training,
such as dogfighting, air-policing and practicing bombing runs, at
Nellis Air Force Base.
At their bilateral meeting tomorrow [Thursday], the two Defence
Secretaries are due to discuss the plan for peace in Ukraine
being worked on by the US, UK, France, and European allies. It
comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Washington
last week, where the Prime Minister and the President confirmed
both nations will work together on security arrangements to
deliver a lasting peace in Ukraine. The discussions follow the
Prime Minister's meeting of international leaders in London last
weekend, where allies discussed the need for a lasting peace
settlement, with US support.
The latest defence engagement with the new US administration
follows a first meeting between the two Defence Secretaries last
month, when the UK convened the 50-nation strong Ukraine Defence
Contact Group, which coordinates urgent military support for
Ukraine.
On Wednesday, the Defence Secretary will attend a reception to
mark the 250th Anniversary of the US Marine Corps, held at the
British Ambassador's Residence in Washington DC.
Defence Secretary MP said:
“Amid a period of growing global instability, the unique and
special relationship between the UK and US is as strong as ever –
underlined by a shared commitment to freedom and democracy.
“It is crucial that the UK and Europe step up further to take
more responsibility for our security, and we are doing so. In the
face of increasing global threats, we are cementing our ties as
NATO allies, bolstering our national security and economic
security, too.
“The Prime Minister was clear following his meetings over the
past week, that we will continue our dialogue with friends and
allies to secure a path to a lasting peace in Ukraine. We will
advance that work in Washington over the coming days.”
Discussions are also expected to cover deepening the UK-US
defence relationship. The British and US Armed Forces operate in
close alignment around the world, from the long-standing global
coalition to combat Daesh in the Middle East to joint maritime
security patrols in the Indo-Pacific.
Collective security and stability also support both nations'
economies and delivers on our Plan for Change.
The AUKUS programme to develop a fleet of world-class nuclear
powered, conventionally armed submarines for the UK and
Australia, is a perfect example of this work – with a £9 billion
contract with Rolls Royce awarded in January as part of the
programme, creating more than 1,000 jobs and supporting a further
4,000 roles.
The Apache programme also supports the UK economy, with numerous
components manufactured in the UK. This benefits 75 British
companies, including 33 SMEs, with jobs being supported at the
Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop in Hampshire and Wattisham
Flying Station in Suffolk.
