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NATO Visits Newport to Showcase Wales's Growing Defence Role, Says Prince of Wales

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  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 20:05 GMT by London Evening Standard
      Locale: Wales, UNITED KINGDOM

NATO’s Visit to Newport Highlights Wales’s Growing Role in UK Defence, Says Prince of Wales

On a crisp November afternoon, the city of Newport became the focal point of a high‑profile NATO event that drew the Prince of Wales, senior Welsh government ministers and key NATO officials. The visit—part of a broader European defence outreach programme—underscored the United Kingdom’s commitment to its NATO obligations and highlighted Wales’s strategic importance in the post‑Russian‑invasion security landscape.

A Welcome for NATO at the Heart of Wales

The event began at Newport’s historic National Theatre, where Prince Charles – who has long championed Welsh causes – welcomed the delegation and spoke about the importance of the “Atlantic partnership.” He noted that the UK’s participation in NATO remains “central to the security of Europe and the Atlantic,” while also stressing the need for a “proactive, forward‑looking approach” to cyber threats and space security – areas where Wales already boasts a growing industrial base.

The event was organised in partnership with the Welsh Government, whose minister for defence and security, Tony Jones, opened the ceremony with remarks on the UK’s renewed commitment to the alliance. Jones praised the “robustness of our armed forces” and the “vital role that Welsh institutions play in the broader European security architecture.” He also highlighted the Welsh Government’s investment in the “Defence and Security Strategy 2030” – a plan that aims to double the country’s defence‑related exports and create 10,000 new high‑skill jobs by 2035.

A Focus on Innovation, Cyber and Space

During the event, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Newport to underline the alliance’s new priorities: cyber defence, space security and the protection of critical infrastructure. Stoltenberg announced the launch of a “NATO Cyber‑Operations Centre” with a base in Wales, a move that will position the country at the front lines of cyber‑defence. “Wales offers a highly skilled, tech‑savvy workforce and a strong tradition in cybersecurity research,” Stoltenberg said, “making it a natural home for a NATO cyber‑operations hub.”

The Prince of Wales, meanwhile, spoke about the importance of “innovation in defence,” stressing the role of Welsh universities and private‑sector partners. He referenced the growing “Space and Defence Innovation Cluster” in the South West – a collaborative effort between local universities, the aerospace industry and the UK government. “Our future is not just on land and sea, it is also in the skies and the space above us,” the Prince said. “The partnership we build in Wales will help shape that future.”

Tony Jones’ Key Take‑Away

Tony Jones’s comments were broadly supportive, but also carried a call for transparency. “While we celebrate this moment, we must remember that defence spending is a shared responsibility across the UK,” Jones remarked. “It is essential that Welsh taxpayers receive the benefits of these investments, especially in terms of job creation and the growth of local businesses.” He added that the Welsh Government would continue to monitor the “balance between national security needs and economic sustainability.”

Jones also noted the importance of engaging the public, especially the younger generation, in defence policy. “We want to ensure that the next generation understands why their country’s security matters,” he said, citing plans to launch a “Defence and Security School Programme” across Welsh schools. “It is not only about protecting our borders but also about safeguarding our future.”

Broader Context: NATO and the UK’s Defence Strategy

The Newport event came at a time when the UK is reassessing its defence posture following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Parliament recently approved a 6 % increase in defence spending, with a focus on advanced weapons, cyber‑defence and space‑based assets. The UK’s defence white paper also announced a new “Atlantic Partnership Initiative,” which seeks to strengthen alliances with NATO members and partner countries across the globe.

In Wales, this broader strategy dovetails with a national agenda to create “defence hubs” that foster innovation, research and industry. Newport is set to host a “Defence Innovation Hub” that will bring together academia, industry, and government to co‑develop next‑generation technologies. The hub will serve as a “testbed” for cyber‑defence systems and provide training for future soldiers and defence professionals.

Reactions and Implications

Reactions to the visit were largely positive. The Welsh Conservative Party praised the UK’s continued commitment to NATO, while the Labour Party expressed support for investment in Wales’ defence industry, noting that such projects could “unlock new opportunities for the Welsh economy.” In the UK Parliament, Defence Minister Ben Wallace highlighted the importance of the Newport event as a “symbolic reminder of the alliance’s solidarity and shared purpose.”

The Prince of Wales also took the opportunity to emphasise the cultural and historical bonds between Wales and the broader British defence establishment. “Our nation’s proud military history – from the Royal Navy’s presence on the Welsh coast to the RAF bases that served during the Cold War – reminds us that we have long been an integral part of Britain’s security,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The event in Newport will likely serve as a launchpad for further collaboration between Wales and NATO. With a new cyber‑operations centre on the horizon, Wales will become a key node in the alliance’s network‑centric defence strategy. At the same time, the Welsh Government’s investment in defence R&D and the growth of high‑skill jobs point to a long‑term strategy that blends national security with economic development.

As the UK continues to navigate a complex geopolitical environment, the partnership between the Welsh Government, the Prince of Wales and NATO demonstrates a shared commitment to a safer, more resilient future – both for Wales and for the wider Atlantic community.