---
title: European defence doesn’t just need more money
description: UK and Germany should align defence strategies for a stronger European deterrence, leveraging UK innovation and German spending, says General Sir Richard Barrons in Chatham House commentary.
---

[Universal Defence & Security Solutions - Revamp 2023 ](https://www.universal-defence.com/blog)

# [European defence doesn’t just need more money](https://www.universal-defence.com/blog/european-defence-doesnt-just-need-more-money)

 Written by [Admin](https://www.universal-defence.com/blog/author/admin) | Nov 19, 2025

European defence doesn’t just need more money – it needs *the right* ideas, delivered fast and in partnership.

Chatham House this week published new expert commentary by **General Sir Richard Barrons KCB CBE**, Co-Chairman of Universal Defence and Security Solutions and Senior Consulting Fellow in its International Security Programme, on how the UK and Germany can – and must – combine strengths to fix weaknesses in European defence. 

In the piece, he argues that:

- The **UK** has set out a genuinely transformative vision through its 2025 Strategic Defence Review – but is struggling to fund and implement change at the pace the threat demands. 
- **Germany** is on track to become Europe’s leading conventional military power in spending terms – yet risks locking in yesterday’s force design without a clear digital-age concept to match. 
- European deterrence will be stronger if **UK thinking and German spending power are consciously aligned**, including through mechanisms such as the Trinity House agreement and new industrial/financial partnerships. 

At UDSS, we work with governments, industry and investors to turn this kind of strategic argument into **practical defence reform** – from SDR design and implementation to defence investment planning and capability transformation.

 

🔗 Read the full Chatham House comment here:

**“The UK and Germany should combine their strengths to address weaknesses in European defence”** (General Sir Richard Barrons KCB CBE): [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/11/uk-and-germany-should-combine-their-strengths-address-weaknesses-european-defence](https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/11/uk-and-germany-should-combine-their-strengths-address-weaknesses-european-defence)

 

If you’d like to explore how UDSS can support your organisation on European defence cooperation, SDR implementation or defence investment strategy, please contact us at **info@universal-defence.com**.

[View full post](https://www.universal-defence.com/blog/european-defence-doesnt-just-need-more-money)

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