The United Kingdom and the European Union are exploring the resumption of negotiations to strengthen defense cooperation, marking a significant step in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ongoing efforts to "reset" relations with Brussels.
According to diplomatic sources, both sides are eager to return to the table after talks regarding the UK’s participation in the €150 billion (£130 billion) Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense fund collapsed in November 2025. Those negotiations reportedly stalled over the high cost of entry demanded by the EU, with British officials describing the proposed contribution—estimated at €2 billion—as "prohibitively high."
Speaking from Beijing on Friday, Prime Minister Starmer emphasized his desire to "go further" in the UK-EU relationship, moving beyond current trade agreements to address national and economic security. "I think the relationship with the EU and every summit should be iterative," Starmer said. "We should be seeking to go further."
The push for a new defense pact comes at a critical time for European security. Analysts suggest that recent geopolitical shifts, including Donald Trump’s return to the White House and his criticisms of NATO, have increased the appetite in both London and Brussels for a more robust, independent European defense framework.
While the UK would not be eligible for loans from the SAFE fund, joining as a "third country" would allow British defense firms to bid for lucrative procurement contracts, providing a major boost to the UK’s arms industry.
Maroš Šefčovič, the EU’s Trade Commissioner, is scheduled to meet with senior UK ministers in London this week. While the official agenda focuses on trade, energy, and fisheries, defense is expected to be a key topic in the corridors as both sides seek to bridge the financial gap that derailed previous attempts at a deal.
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