Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announces new £90m investment to support F-35 fighter jets as he insists Britain has ‘no closer friend than the US’
He met with General Mattis today to discuss the US commitment to Nato and plans to 'shame' other countries into coughing up more
MICHAEL FALLON has insisted that Britain stands "shoulder to shoulder" with the US and there is "no closer friend" as he unveiled a new £90m defence contract.
The Defence Secretary met with US Defence Secretary General Mattis today to discuss the US commitment to Nato and plans to 'shame' other countries into coughing up more.
Mr Fallon stressed on Radio 4 this morning that our relationship with the US mattered more as we prepared to quit the EU.
He said: "As we leave the EU, our bilateral relationships matter more than ever, so we’ll be enhancing our cooperation and investing more in our joint F-35 fast jet programme."
He announced that Britain would spend £90m on a BAE contract to help repair the fighter jets.
In a joint press conference today, Sir Michael insisted that Britain has "no closer friend than the US" and we stood "shoulder to shoulder" with them to defeat Isis in the Middle East.
He went on: "Our relationship endures because it is founded firmly on the values we have in common... Last week's terrorist attack in London reminds us that those values are under attack."
Retired Marine Corps General Mattis described it as a "senseless murder" and said that the "maniacs who think that by hurting us they can scare us... we don't scare".
He added: "We will always stand together with our British allies, bound by inseparable ties".
Sir Micheal promised that Britain and America would "continue fighting for freedom... now and into the future".
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He also said that other Nato members would be "shamed" into spending more on the alliance.
Sir Michael insisted that the two would "agree further steps to modernise Nato and ensure greater burden sharing".
America has said that other European countries must shoulder more of the burden to pay for defence in the region.
Britain already meets the target of 2% of GDP, but it is just one of five out of the 28 members to do so.
The Defence Secretary earlier today refused to rule out cuts to the Royal Marines this morning - after reports suggested the Ministry of Defence faces a huge black hole in their budget.
He said the balance between the number of sailors and marines was "a matter for the First Sea Lord".
that forces face a shortfall of £10billion amid escalating costs for new ships and jets.
It claimed that military chiefs were quietly embarking on a mission to find at least £1billion a year in additional savings on top of already stretched budgets.
Budgets for new nuclear deterrents were likely to be busted, and costs for new aircraft are expected to soar too.
Today Sir Michael refused to rule out cuts to the the elite Royal Marines forces -
He told Radio 4 today: "We have got 7,000 Royal Marines. The actual balance, the number of sailors and the number of marines, that’s a matter for the First Sea Lord to keep under review."
And he added: "The Royal Navy is growing. Within the Royal Navy, you have the Royal Marines as well and there has to be balance between the two."
Labour said the reports were "deeply worrying" and the result of "years of mistakes".
Shadow Defence Secretary Nia Griffith urged ministers to "get a grip" and explain where the savings would come from.
Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, is also attending a Nato meeting in Brussels where he will stress the UK's commitment to the organisation.
He insisted this morning that security cooperation is "unconditional" and will not be used as leverage in Brexit talks.
"It is not some bargaining chip in any negotiations that may be taking place elsewhere in this capital," Mr Johnson said after arriving for talks.
"We make an unconditional commitment to the defence and security of Europe," he added.
He snubbed Mrs May's demands for parallel talks about our divorce terms alongside our new relationship with the bloc, but hinted that trade talks can begin after "sufficient" progress was made with our exit.