With leaders gathering for a summit on the 19th of May, EU member states are hoping negotiations on a security pact with the UK will be its main deliverable. A pact would allow London to take part in joint procurement for military capabilities alongside EU member states and have British-made military equipment be purchased with SAFE funds.

A security and defence partnership is now expected to be one of the three elements set to come out of the summit that will be hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and attended by European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen, and High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas. Both Brussels and London have said that striking a pact is a priority, given the tumultuous global geopolitical situation and the growing need to be able to defend themselves – nevertheless, there is still significant work to be done ahead of the summit.