Independence: what you need to know

Defence

The Scottish Government’s policies for what independence would mean for defence, at a glance:

• Scotland would have its own armed forces, supported by a modern contract for personnel and strong support for veterans
• apply to join NATO and the European Union, participating fully in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy
• ensure an independent Scotland would only participate in overseas military operations that are lawful, approved by Scottish Ministers and authorised by the Scottish Parliament
• remove nuclear weapons from Scotland in the safest and quickest way possible after independence

Defence and security in an independent Scotland

An independent Scotland would prioritise:

• promoting and protecting the security and wellbeing of people in Scotland
• promoting human rights and international development around the world

The defence and security of its people is the first duty of every independent country’s government.

This Scottish Government proposes an independent Scotland would apply to join NATO and would seek discussions with NATO leaders at the earliest opportunity following a vote for independence.

As part of this, this government proposes a commitment to defence spending of 2% of GDP, recognising NATO’s enduring commitment to invest in defence capabilities.

Following a vote for independence, Scotland would also apply to re-join the European Union (EU) as soon as possible. This Scottish Government would also commit to the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy.

Scotland would contribute to missions that support global peace and security.

This Scottish Government believes nuclear weapons should not be based in Scotland and should be removed from Scotland in the safest and quickest manner possible following independence.

This would not prevent Scotland’s ability to act in self-defence or join NATO.

An independent Scotland’s position would be similar to the approach of most NATO member countries, which neither possess or host nuclear weapons. The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO demonstrates hosting nuclear weapons is not a precondition for membership.

More information is available in the Scotland’s place in the world paper.

Armed forces

This Scottish Government would commission an expert-led Defence and Security Review to provide recommendations for Scotland’s defence and security capabilities.

This would be aligned with an independent Scotland’s priorities, including:

• joining NATO
• committing to the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy
• building a collaborative, mutually-beneficial defence and security relationship with the UK and other key strategic partners

This Scottish Government’s position is that the armed forces of an independent Scotland would include land, sea, and air components overseen by a joint forces headquarters.

Following negotiations, an independent Scotland would inherit significant military establishments and infrastructure.

These would support the armed forces of an independent Scotland and, with agreement, would continue to be available to our international partners.

This Scottish Government would design a ‘contract’ for serving personnel that would clearly show how a role in Scotland's armed forces would be appealing and flexible, with modern pay and conditions. This would include continued strong support for veterans.

This Scottish Government would also establish a robust and proportionate security and intelligence body for an independent Scotland - the Scottish Security and Intelligence Agency.

This Scottish Government would make it a cornerstone of defence policy that an independent Scotland would only participate in overseas military operations that are:

• lawful
• approved by Scottish Ministers
• authorised by the Scottish Parliament

More information is available in the Scotland’s place in the world paper.