French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom has signaled a shift in the post-Brexit landscape, emphasizing the renewed strategic alignment between Europe’s two most powerful military nations. It marks the first French state visit to Britain in 17 years, a gap that reflects the fallout from Brexit and years of diplomatic coolness. But now, both sides are keen to redefine their partnership around a shared responsibility for European security.
Turning the Page on Brexit
Addressing a joint session of the UK Parliament, Macron described the moment as one of “reconvergence,” praising the deep historic ties between the two countries and their common interests in European stability. His remarks focused on moving beyond Brexit divisions and underscored that Franco-British solidarity “knows no institutional limits.”
Though some British media outlets highlighted Macron’s familiar warnings about Europe’s “excessive dependencies on the US and China,” many analysts noted this has long been a theme of his broader strategic doctrine. In a recent reader poll by Europe Express, just 6% of respondents said they believed Donald Trump remained committed to collective defense in Europe, while 78% believed he no longer cared at all.
Defense as the Cornerstone of Cooperation
At a time of war in Ukraine and rising global instability, Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have agreed that defense cooperation should define the bilateral relationship moving forward. Both nations possess nuclear arsenals, world-class military capabilities, and a long history of coordination — formalized in the Lancaster House Treaties signed in 2010.
As France and Britain reaffirm their role as Europe’s leading military powers, they pledged to:
- Expand the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force to 50,000 troops
- Deepen collaboration on long-range missile development
- Coordinate their nuclear deterrents in the face of extreme threats to European security — an unprecedented move that brings France’s force de frappe closer to a pan-European role
- Support a transition away from dependence on U.S. military assets, particularly in areas like reconnaissance, satellite intelligence, mid-air refueling, and air transport
Historical Tensions, New Trust
The long-standing friction in Franco-British relations—shaped by de Gaulle-era mistrust of British transatlantic alignment and British skepticism of French strategic ambition—has often complicated defense cooperation. But Macron’s statement that “trust has now been established” with both the UK government and Starmer personally signals a turning point.
While some UK media portrayed Macron’s visit in adversarial terms—The Telegraph branded it “Macron accepts Starmer’s Brexit surrender”—the reality was far more constructive. Both leaders acknowledge their nations share a “special responsibility” to anchor European defense, particularly as Germany’s defense reform remains in early stages and Poland, while rapidly militarizing, lacks battlefield experience.
Looking Toward Strategic Autonomy
Beyond military coordination, Paris and London are expected to lead broader efforts to define European security needs and co-develop capabilities. This could pave the way for EU-wide defense financing initiatives, especially if the UK plays a cooperative role despite no longer being a member of the bloc.
As columnist Janan Ganesh of the Financial Times noted, “at least in the medium term, the fate of Europe rests in large part on Britain and France.” That fate may well depend on how quickly and effectively the two powers can organize Europe’s transition from dependence on U.S. protection to a more independent, strategically capable continent.
In a time of shifting alliances and diminishing certainty in the transatlantic relationship, France and Britain are poised to lead Europe’s security agenda — not just as old rivals turned allies, but as co-architects of a new European defense order.
