Defence Secretary Wes Streeting Speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

Thank you very much for that introduction.

I am happy to bring the sunshine, it’s not something that Defence Ministers are generally known for and I can’t promise and I can’t promise that when I talk about the threat environment we are operating in, we’ll continue with that sunny disposition.

I also enjoyed your characterisation of my experience in government, depending on how you look it – I might well understand fiscal pressures in government from the two departments that I’ve now led.

I think some of my friends in the Treasury would consider me to be personally a major contributor to some of the budget pressures that we face.

I was once described in a previous spending review negotiations as the Katniss Everdeen of the spending review process. One of the reasons why the Prime Minister asked me take on the role of Defence Secretary, at a time when we are investing more, but need to go further.

At least, that is what I am told. My body clock is still negotiating with the time difference.

But as I arrive in Washington, I am absolutely clear about one thing.

There has rarely been a more important time for Britain and America to come together, to think boldly, and to act decisively.

So I’d like to thank our hosts for bringing us together and for bringing together such a wide range of expertise in the room.

The gravest dangers of the 20th century are returning, armed with the technologies of the 21st.

It is not yet clear if this century will be defined by freedom or tyranny.

Our adversaries are probing and provoking us on a daily basis.

The threats we face are growing – and getting closer to home.

And the very nature of warfare itself is being transformed before our eyes.

Britain and America have never been content to simply watch history unfold.

At defining moments, we have helped determine its course.

The frontline for freedom today can be found in Ukraine.

Ukraine did not ask for this war. President Putin invaded their country.