WIREDGOV

A new programme of defence co-operation between the UK and France has been announced by British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The programme is to be delivered through an overarching Defence Co-operation Treaty, a subordinate treaty relating to a joint nuclear facility, a letter of intent signed by Defence Ministers and a package of joint defence initiatives.

The announcement was made by the two leaders following a summit meeting held in London on Tuesday:

This co-operation is intended to improve collective defence capability through UK and French forces working more closely together, contributing to more capable and effective forces, and ultimately improving the collective capability of NATO and European Defence.

These measures build on commitments made in the recent Strategic Defence and Security Review to create stronger strategic defence relationships with the UK's main allies whose security interests and military capabilities are closest to our own.

The measures agreed between the UK and France will include:

* jointly developing a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) as a non-standing bilateral capability able to carry out a range of operations in the future whether acting bilaterally or through NATO, the EU or other coalition arrangements - this concept will be developed over the coming years;

* building primarily on maritime task group co-operation around the French carrier Charles de Gaulle - the UK and France will aim to have, by the early 2020s, the ability to deploy a UK-French integrated carrier strike group incorporating assets owned by both countries;

* developing joint military doctrine and training programmes;

* extending bilateral co-operation on the acquisition of equipment and technologies, for example in unmanned aerial systems, complex weapons, submarine technologies, satellite communications and research and technology;

* aligning wherever possible our logistics arrangements - including providing spares and support to the new A400M transport aircraft;

* developing a stronger defence industrial and technology base; and

* enhancing joint working to defend against emerging security concerns such as cyber security.

Overall, the Defence Co-operation Treaty will enable the strengthening of operational linkages between the French and UK Armed Forces, sharing and pooling of materials and equipment, building of joint facilities, mutual access to defence markets, and increased industrial and technological co-operation.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph this week the Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said:

"There are many reasons why this co-operation makes sense. We are Europe's only nuclear powers. We have the largest defence budgets and are the only two countries with real, large-scale expeditionary capability. We are both permanent members of the UN Security Council, and leading members of the G8 and G20.

"And there is no better time to deepen our relationship with France. Since President Sarkozy came into office we have seen a vigorous attempt to bring Europe and America closer together, and to bring France deeper into NATO."

See the full article by Dr Fox in the Sunday Telegraph at Related Links.

The UK and France are sovereign nations with shared interests, striving to achieve enhanced military capability more efficiently.

The treaty makes clear that only a UK government will ever decide when to deploy British troops, with whom and under what conditions.

As part of the talks, the new Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, met his French opposite number, Admiral Edouard Guillaud, to discuss defence sharing agreements.

Gen Richards has commanded French troops in the past: as Commander ISAF in 2006, he was in command of the French detachment in Afghanistan. Gen Richards said:

"The French are valuable allies in Afghanistan and continue to serve with distinction. I value the opportunity of building better relationships between our two countries which will add to the security of the French and British people and also the wider international community."

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