The Defence Section at the British Embassy in Moscow operates within the overall British Security Cooperation Mission, defined as:

"To support cross-government action to reduce the security risks to the UK and support its interests overseas, and to shape the international security environment in support of current and future contingent operations, in order to serve the Defence element of the UK’s Policy Goals".

A Memorandum of Understanding governing Russo-British military relations was signed by both Ministers of Defence in March 1997. The Memorandum of Understanding envisaged both High-level and Defence-wide events as well as contact and exchanges at lower levels, between Navies, Armies and Air Forces.