The UK Government has been warned that it has less than a week to protect its long term defence relationship with Europe as the deadline approaches for joining a major European security programme.
The SNP is urging Westminster to secure access to the one hundred and fifty billion pound Security Action for Europe fund which supports shared procurement, research, and long term defence cooperation across the continent.
Concerns have intensified in recent days as questions grow over the Trump administration’s approach to the territorial integrity of Ukraine which has unsettled governments throughout Europe.
Access to the SAFE programme would allow defence companies in Scotland and the wider UK to bid for contracts with EU backed loans and common purchasing arrangements which could support skilled jobs, manufacturing, and supply chains at a time of rising global tension.
The deadline for participation falls on the thirtieth of November and failure to act would leave Scotland’s defence sector further isolated from Europe’s largest collective security framework.
There are growing fears that without access to SAFE the UK will face increasing exposure to hostile threats while other European nations deepen cooperative planning and shared capabilities.
Pressure increased last week when the House of Commons Defence Select Committee published a strongly worded report warning that the UK’s reliance on the United States was becoming detrimental to European security.
The committee’s findings echoed long standing concerns from the SNP who have repeatedly argued that neglecting European alliances leaves Scotland and the rest of the UK exposed at a moment of heightened instability.
SNP Defence Spokesperson Dave Doogan said the timing could not be more serious.
“The UK has less than a week to save its long-term defence relationship with the EU, that’s how important it is to secure access to the £150 billion SAFE programme.
“The developing situation in Ukraine this week shows how vital it is to deepen our defence ties with our European allies.
“Brexit has left the defence industry more isolated and leaves us all less secure.
“The UK needs to accept the consequences of their own disastrous decisions.
“Holding out on re-entry into SAFE out of stubbornness does not serve the security of these Isles nor give the boost to the defence industry that they have promised.
“Without the capacity to make our own decisions about the safety and security of our territory, Scotland risks being reduced to a casualty of Westminster’s military game of chicken with the EU.”
He said the Defence Select Committee’s findings only underlined the scale of the challenge.
“The House of Commons Defence Select Committee also published a damning report last week, confirming what the SNP have been saying for years that, as well as all the other costs, Brexit has had a catastrophic impact on collective peace and security in Europe.
“There is no substitute to Scottish security like full EU and NATO membership.
“The US have made it explicitly clear that they intend to withdraw previous support from Europe.
“In that event it is crucial that the defensive capacity across these Isles is bolstered by comprehensive operational, logistic and procurement integration, securing vital efficiencies and interoperability with our European allies.
“Currently, Scotland and the rest of the UK are missing out on the increasing defence spending by NATO member states within the EU, a reality which places substantial barriers in front of Scotland’s world class defence manufacturers.
“As the world becomes a more contested place and democratic norms are under attack on a range of fronts, Scotland’s future is unquestionably as a NATO member inside the EU working with our European allies.
“Westminster is playing a dangerous game, spending ever more on defence, but in all the wrong places.
“A mismanaged defence budget outside of the EU does not make any of us safer.”
With the deadline now days away the focus turns to whether the UK Government will act or allow another link with Europe to close at a moment when cooperation has never been more essential.
