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France: Military Alliances

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 21 July 2025UIN 67019

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 sources external to his Department and the Defence Nuclear Organisation on the independence of the UK's nuclear capabilities when negotiating the UK-France Nuclear Partnership.

Answered by Maria Eagle

Our nuclear deterrent has always been and continues to be completely operationally independent, with only the Prime Minister being able to authorise the use of our nuclear weapons. In line with the Northwood Declaration on 10 July, the UK and France each retain the ability to act independently of each other but can coordinate our nuclear deterrents should the situation demand it.

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