Ironically, fishing, a central issue driving the UK's departure from the EU, has now become a significant factor in potential compromises with the blo

UK Nears Post-Brexit Defence Pact with EU as Starmer Yields on Fishing Rights

UNITED KINGDOM
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

British arms firms set to gain access to €150bn EU defence fund after key concession on fisheries

Sir Keir Starmer is on the verge of finalizing a landmark defence agreement with the European Union that would unlock access for British arms manufacturers to the bloc’s €150 billion (£130 billion) defence fund.

As revealed by The Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell, the deal would enable UK companies to compete for contracts under the EU’s “Readiness 2030” programme—an initiative aimed at reducing European reliance on American weaponry in response to escalating threats from Russia.

However, the breakthrough comes at a price. The UK has reportedly softened its position on a contentious issue that has long stymied progress: fishing rights. British negotiators are said to have agreed to grant EU fleets a multi-year access deal to UK waters, including a freeze on current quotas, in what critics may deem a significant departure from Brexit promises.

Negotiators on both sides are optimistic that the pact could be finalized before a pivotal UK-EU summit scheduled for May 19. “The mood music is good,” a source from the British defence industry told The Times.

The EU unveiled its Readiness 2030 defence strategy last month, which includes relaxed budgetary rules to facilitate a massive loan initiative aimed at boosting defence procurement within Europe. Initially, British companies were expected to be excluded from the funding mechanism unless a formal UK-EU defence and security pact was established—making the recent softening on fisheries a crucial turning point.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir is also working to strengthen Britain’s global defence ties, hosting New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in London this week. The two leaders are expected to announce an extended partnership under Operation Interflex, which has already trained over 54,000 Ukrainian soldiers. New Zealand will reportedly continue its support for the program until the end of 2025.

In a further sign of growing bilateral defence collaboration, Starmer is also expected to unveil a £30 million drone procurement deal with SYOS Aerospace, a New Zealand company operating a manufacturing facility in Hampshire. Both nations have instructed their defence ministers to begin negotiations on a new defence partnership, set to replace the 2015 agreement between the two countries.

On the diplomatic front, Sir Keir held talks on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. A Downing Street spokesperson reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine, stating:

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print