We won't let US buy up Britain's defence industry, says Starmer

Telegraph

03-03-2025

The British defence industry will be protected from more US takeovers, Sir Keir Starmer has signalled, amid fears one of the country's key weapons manufacturers is about to fall into American hands.
The Prime Minister vowed to 'put Britain first every step of the way' as he praised companies in the industry and said it was important to 'keep them British'.
His comments suggest the UK may take a more muscular approach to defence takeovers than in the past – potentially risking a clash with the White House.
Donald Trump's moves to force Ukraine into a peace deal and unpredictable brand of diplomacy have stoked fears in European capitals that the Continent can no longer rely on American support or equipment.
There have been calls for independent rearming against the Russian threat from senior figures including Friedrich Merz, the new chancellor of Germany, who said last month that his top priority 'will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA'.
It comes amid reports that US private equity firm Bain Capital has tabled a £1.1bn bid to buy Chemring. It makes crucial countermeasures to defend RAF and US Air Force jets against missiles, potentially adding to a long line of defence companies that have been snapped up by US firms.
Speaking at an event in Downing Street, Sir Keir said it was vital that the Government's decision to lift defence spending to 2.5pc of GDP 'should be used to boost the British economy'.
He said: 'We're really good at this in Britain. We're really good at creating things, making things. We're front of the game when it comes to AI and technology. We punch above our weight.
'We want to make sure that we stay in that position.'