British PM to initiate talks on UK-Poland defence pact

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to travel to Warsaw to kick off discussions on a new defence treaty between the United Kingdom and Poland, aimed at strengthening coordination on a range of critical security issues.

The treaty is expected to address challenges from countering Russian aggression to tackling illegal immigration and ensuring the security of energy supplies, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The visit follows Starmer's agreement in Kyiv on January 16 to a long-term cooperation deal with Ukraine, during which he also pledged additional air defence systems and missiles. Starmer's trip to Poland is part of broader efforts to deepen defence ties with European allies.

"Talks are expected to begin this month to agree the treaty, which will be a key pillar of the UK’s wider reset with Europe and builds on recent agreements with France and Germany," Downing Street stated ahead of the visit.

The UK and Poland already have established defence collaborations, including the Miecznik AH140 Frigate program, which aims to provide Poland's military with new naval vessels by the 2030s, and the £4 billion Narew program, focused on ground-based air defence, a partnership between MBDA's UK unit and Poland’s PGZ.

The planned defence pact will further enhance military cooperation, strengthen coordination on tackling disinformation, and address hybrid threats, according to a statement from Downing Street.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also announced a significant boost to the UK’s defence industry with the opening of a new UK-Poland Joint Program Office in Bristol later this year. This office will be staffed by personnel from both countries and will play a crucial role in delivering Poland’s next-generation air defence system.

The NAREW program, a collaboration between UK firm MBDA and Polish defense company PGZ, will provide Poland with more than 1,000 air defence missiles, strengthening its security and contributing to broader European stability.

This announcement follows Starmer’s recent visit to Ukraine, where he reaffirmed the UK’s long-term commitment through a new 100-Year Partnership.

By Vafa Guliyeva