Brexit will alter European security cooperation

Significance

At the same time, the EU will lose the United Kingdom’s vital role in coordinating intelligence and leading investigations. In addition, Brexit undermines the prospects for EU-UK security and defence cooperation based on institutionalised relations.

Impacts

• Now that the politics of Brexit is less intense, the EU and United Kingdom have more capacity to focus on building pragmatic relations.
• The main EU nations will only join inter-governmental arrangements with London if such cooperation aligns with EU objectives.
• Regulatory and trade pressures could see European defence companies, such as Airbus, more reluctant to invest in the United Kingdom.