Photograph: Kin Cheung/AFP via Getty ImagesFrance considers defence co-operation the cornerstone of its alliance with Britain and made relaunching defence projects a priority of Friday’s summit between prime minister Rishi Sunak and president Emmanuel Macron. For the UK, defence co-operation with France is second only to military ties with the US. Current joint defence projects include co-ordinated naval deployments in the Indo-Pacific, the development of an anti-ship cruise missile and attempts to define a role for the Franco-British Combined Joint Expeditionary Force established in 2010. Some defence projects have fallen through. Joint deployments, training and operations could in fact prove a better demonstration of a common strategic culture and joint leadership.”

Source: The Times March 11, 2023 05:09 UTC