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Immediate Release

Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks' Meeting With U.K. Permanent Under Secretary for the Ministry of Defence David Williams at the U.S.-UK Defense Dialogue

Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon provided the following readout: 

Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks hosted the U.S.-UK Defense Dialogue today with her UK counterpart, Permanent Under Secretary for Defence Mr. David Williams, at the Pentagon. The two leaders discussed U.S. and UK strategic guidance, climate resiliency, Euro-Atlantic security, the AUKUS trilateral partnership, and force development. 

The dialogue also included discussion of the U.S. National Defense Strategy and the UK Integrated Review Refresh, addressing the acute threat Russia poses – evidenced by its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine – as well as sustaining and strengthening deterrence, and the People’s Republic of China as the United States’ pacing challenge.  

Deputy Secretary Hicks reiterated the priority that the U.S. Department of Defense places on close, continued collaboration with Allies and partners. She also emphasized the importance of these relationships to our collective ability to address shared security concerns. The two leaders also discussed efforts to increase defense industry production and implementation of the AUKUS trilateral partnership, to include export controls and information sharing. 

The Deputy Secretary emphasized U.S. concerns over the profound impact climate change has on Department operations, and the need to consider increased climate resiliency for the U.S., our Allies, and our partners.  She said she is proud of the work U.S. and UK teams have accomplished together, from sharing climate intelligence to best practices to build climate literacy across the total force, and information on climate wargaming techniques. 

The two leaders committed to deepening the U.S.-UK special relationship, continuing to make progress toward addressing shared concerns, and said they look forward to convening the next Defense Dialogue in London.