Britain, France and Defence
Date: 15 October 2009
Britain and France share strategic interests and have substantially similar defence requirements. The overall political context is favourable for intensified co-operation in the security sphere. Quentin Davies MP, Minister for Defence Equipment, shown here with FBC chair Joyce Quin, and Paul Beaver (centre) addressed this breakfast meeting and agreed that there had never been a better time to examine the bilateral realationship in this context. Whilst pressure on national defence budgets had led to a review of Franco-British procurement programmes, it was important to maintain the strong dialogue shown in the High Level Working Group and to develop increasing trust in order to effectively exploit the right opportunity when it arises. Other participants from industry and thinktanks went further and asserted that any frustrations with the pace of progress would only be resolved by a crisis and that crisis was coming. Financial considerations would offer an opportunity and the two countries must seize that opportunity; if not it would be disastorous. A report on the meeting is now available. Contact us to receive a copy. or download a copy