International Co-operation in the Defence Sector

In March 2024, the European Union announced its defence industrial strategy and a new defence industry programme, which is the first of its kind for the EU. It aims to translate the reactive measures to the conflict in Ukraine into a programme of sustained initiatives, in terms of both time and scope, to increase the readiness of its defence industry. Initiatives under the strategy include changes to programming and procurement in the defence sector, attempting to bring together and encourage investment across European member states, for example through financial support for common defence procurement. The recent push for a more integrated defence strategy in Europe is further exemplified by the European Sky Shield Initiative, under which 10 NATO member countries have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly procure an air and missile defence system. 

Collaborative defence projects are also increasingly prevalent on a global scale. An example of this is the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), established in 2022, which is an international partnership between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, involving various industry teams including BAE Systems, Leonardo S.p.A. and Mitsubushi Heavy Industries. The programme seeks to design, manufacture, and deliver a next-generation crewed combat aircraft by 2035. This year, the UK completed the ratification process for the international treaty that sets up the GCAP International Government Organisation, with ratification by all partners expected before the end of 2024.

Another key example of international collaboration is the AUKUS alliance, a trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US. The partnership continues to explore advanced technologies and aims to deliver projects such as the AUKUS submarine programme, supporting Australia to build and acquire its first conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet. 

Our international defence and security team have worked with Lexology on the publication of Lexology Panoramic: Defence & Security Procurement. The team has written the global overview, the France, Germany, Italy, Poland, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary and Australia chapters and Mark Leach and Will Bryson are contributing editors for the publication. All content on the hub is reproduced with permission from Law Business Research Ltd and was first published in Lexology Panoramic. For further information please visit: https://www.lexology.com/panoramic