France: Military Alliances
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost jobs as UK and France reboot defence relationship, published on 9 July 2025, whether he consulted the Chief of the Air Staff before the agreement to create a 50,000 strong combined joint force.
Answered by Luke Pollard
Detailed planning of the Combined Joint Force (CJF), evolving from the currently existing Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), is currently under way with French colleagues following Thursday’s announcement.
The current command structure of the CJEF under its Concept of Employment (CONEMP) is of a single operational commander provided by either the UK or France, appointed by both nations. It should be noted the CJEF is not a standing force, but made up of high-readiness forces available when it is deployed.
All UK Service Chiefs, including VCDS and Commander Strat Comm, were consulted ahead of the agreement to create the CJF. Most significantly, on 24 March 2025 at the third annual UK-France All Chiefs meeting in London, the proposal was discussed with all of the French and UK Military Chiefs of Staff.
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