The United Kingdom and Germany will today (Thursday 15th May)
confirm for the first time that they will work together to
develop a new long-range strike capability with a range of over
2,000 km, as both countries step up on European security and
drive economic growth at home.
This comes following the signing of the landmark Trinity House
Agreement on Defence Co-operation in October in London – the
first-of-its-kind bilateral defence agreement between the UK and
Germany.
German Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, will host
his counterpart Defence Secretary MP in the first Trinity House
Defence Ministerial Council today in Berlin, where they will
discuss how the agreement is already delivering real benefits,
from deterring threats on NATO's eastern flank, to creating
skilled jobs and driving investment at home.
The new 2,000 km precision deep strike capability will be among
the most advanced systems ever designed by the UK, to safeguard
the British public and reinforce NATO deterrence, while boosting
the UK and European defence sectors.
Discussions will focus on a joint procurement programme for Sting
Ray torpedoes for P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance
aircraft, enhancing the UK and Germany's ability to counter the
latest underwater threats, boosting national security for both
nations.
A new commitment will also see Germany procure advanced British
military bridges, delivering on the Government's Plan for
Change by supporting jobs in the North-west.
Defence Secretary MP said:
The UK and Germany have never been closer, and the Trinity House
Agreement is already making a positive impact on our security and
economy. This partnership is helping us make defence an engine
for growth – creating jobs, boosting skills, and driving
investment across the UK and Germany.
In a more dangerous world, NATO and European allies stand united.
Together with Germany, we're leading the way in supporting
Ukraine, defending NATO's eastern flank, and jointly investing in
next-generation capabilities.
It follows the Prime Minister's historic commitment to increase
defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical
importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global
uncertainty.
Since the Trinity House Agreement was signed in October, German
crews have joined RAF personnel in two flights on UK P-8 Poseidon
aircraft. The UK's Poseidon fleet play a crucial role tracking
Russian vessels near UK waters.
The Defence Ministers will meet again tomorrow (Friday 16th May)
alongside their Polish, Italian and French counterparts in a
meeting of the European Group of Five (E5) Defence ministers
in Rome.
The UK and Germany will meet again in June alongside more than 50
nations and partners, when they jointly host the next meeting of
the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. Since the UK took the chair,
nearly £23bn has been pledged in military support for
Ukraine.
The Trinity House Agreement is delivering on the Government's
Plan for Change by stepping up national security whilst
strengthening our industrial base and boosting skilled jobs at
home.
