In a submission to the UK Parliament’s inquiry into European security, Airbus has called for enhanced defence collaboration between the UK and its European allies, while advocating for deeper integration with NATO’s industrial frameworks.

Airbus, the UK’s largest aerospace company, highlighted the critical role the UK plays in European defence and warned of the risks of strategic exclusion.

The company stated, “A European industrial strategy that excludes the UK would be very damaging to both sides.” It urged the government to continue its efforts to establish a Defence and Security Pact with the EU and to strengthen bilateral defence ties through initiatives like the recent UK-Germany agreement.

Airbus emphasised that the UK’s contributions to NATO, particularly in satellite communications and cryptographic security, are vital to the alliance’s operational success. It noted that the UK’s MilSatCom and SKYNET systems provide “assured, secure multidomain communication essential for success in modern conflict,” with the systems already in use by the US and 17 other NATO allies.

Airbus highlighted the export potential of UK military satellite technology, estimating up to £10 billion in possible revenue, which it said could help bolster the UK’s industrial base while reinforcing international security partnerships.

The company also pointed to its global leadership in Crypt-Key technologies, which are crucial for enabling secure and interoperable communications between NATO allies. “Control of CryptKey allows a nation to muster and coordinate its forces,” Airbus explained, while warning that without adequate national control, “NATO or a country could be left unable to act coherently.”

Airbus urged the UK to seize opportunities within NATO’s forthcoming CP122 programme to embed non-ITAR solutions, allowing sovereignty while maintaining compatibility with NATO operations.

Airbus called for a “NATO-first” approach in UK defence policy, prioritising interoperability with NATO forces and alignment of defence procurement strategies. The company referenced NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft (NGRC) programme as a model of multinational collaboration and stressed that exportability should be central to UK procurement.

“Exports are a means to drive the UK’s economic growth, strengthen the industrial base and drive down costs for the UK’s own defence needs,” Airbus stated, arguing that current UK procurement processes are too limited in considering the long-term benefits of exports.

The submission also recommended improvements in the UK’s government-to-government (G2G) sales approach, which Airbus said lags behind competitors like the US and France. “A new and properly resourced model in government to support G2G deals is required,” the company advised, citing the success of recent agreements with Romania as a template for future deals.

Airbus concluded by reaffirming its commitment to helping the UK and its European partners achieve greater defence integration, stating, “We believe the UK and EU have a co-dependency that is essential, not just in terms of industrial capability, but also in terms of our mutual contribution to the defence of Europe and to NATO.”