The United Kingdom and Germany have inked a defense agreement with the goal of increasing cooperation in the face of Russia’s growing threat.
According to the agreement, German submarine-hunting planes would operate from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, and armaments company Rheinmetall plans to construct a facility creating artillery gun barrels from British steel.
The Trinity House Agreement between the United Kingdom and Germany demonstrates the government’s efforts to strengthen ties with European allies, particularly in terms of defence and security.
However, former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace questioned its value, citing Berlin’s persistent refusal to provide long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
The agreement is the latest sign of Prime Minsiter Sir Keir Starmer’s drive to “reset” relations with the European Union’s key players.
The agreement will see the Nato allies working together on developing long-range strike weapons that can travel further than the UK’s existing Storm Shadow missiles.
The UK and Germany will also collaborate on developing new land-based and aerial drones.
Signing of the “Trinity House” 🇬🇧🇩🇪Defense Agreement by Defense Secretary @JohnHealey_MP and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
This landmark agreement will strengthen our close defence cooperation. pic.twitter.com/xLXbahUWvR
— Miguel Berger (@GermanAmbUK) October 23, 2024
Defence Secretary John Healey said it was a “landmark agreement”, adding: “It secures unprecedented levels of new co-operation with the German armed forces and industry, bringing benefits to our shared security and prosperity, protecting our shared values and boosting our defence industrial bases.”
Under the agreement, the Ministry of Defence said German P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft will “periodically” operate out of Lossiemouth in Moray, potentially armed with UK-supplied torpedoes, helping to secure the North Atlantic.
In response to the potential threat from Russian activity at sea, the allies will also work together to protect underwater cables.
In addition, the agreement will pave the way for the new Rheinmetall plant, which will see the UK make artillery gun barrels for the first time in a decade using steel made by Sheffield Forgemasters and supporting 400 jobs.
The first artillery gun barrels are expected to be produced in 2027.
Other measures will see co-operation to strengthen Nato’s eastern flank and extra support for Ukraine, including work on equipping German Sea King helicopters with modern missile systems for use by Kyiv’s forces.
German defence minister Boris Pistorius said: “We must not take security in Europe for granted.
“Russia is waging war against Ukraine, it is increasing its weapons production immensely and has repeatedly launched hybrid attacks on our partners in eastern Europe.
