The Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriet Baldwin reaffirmed to UK’s close relationship with the US in her visit Washington DC, where she met with US Deputy Secretary of Defence Robert Work.
The US has an old and close relationship with the UK, through NATO, UN Security Council membership and as leading nuclear powers. It is vital that this relationship remains solid to enable international peace and security, while the relationship allows the countries to share advances in technology.
During her visit, the Minister has taken the opportunity to discuss trade and opportunity for the UK defence industry and in turn promote the work of the UK Defence Innovation Initiative, which aims to create a culture of innovation and is international in scope. One of the key elements of the initiative is streamlining engagement between public bodies and private industry, the Minister took the opportunity to meet with representatives of the British-American Business Association to discuss US-UK defence trade and the reduction of bureaucracy for companies in both countries.
As well as touring the Pentagon, the Minister met Rep. Mac Thornberry, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and spoke with leading thinkers in an Innovation Roundtable at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
During her visit, she met some of the pilots testing the UK’s cutting-edge aircraft at NAS Pax River, who are testing the P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircaft and the jets which will fly from the UK’s Queen Elizabeth Class carrier. The F-35B jets are the most advance aircraft ever built for the UK and are symbolic of UK-US collaboration.
Minister for Procurement Harriett Baldwin said: “The UK’s relationship with the US, our pre-eminent Ally, is at the heart of our national security. It was a pleasure to meet Deputy Secretary Work and business leaders to discuss the ways in which our two countries can continue to innovate, cooperate, and build mutual security and prosperity with defence projects like the F-35B Lightning and P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft.”
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Defence Innovation Initiative F-35 Harriet Baldwin MP Innovation procurement trade UK US
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