UK, Germany set to sign historic defence pact, strengthening NATO alliance

The UK is poised to sign a historic defence agreement with Germany this week, paving the way for enhanced military and security cooperation with the European Union.

The agreement is expected to facilitate joint military exercises between British and German forces on NATO's eastern frontier with Russia, particularly in Estonia and Lithuania, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Additionally, the deal will promote closer collaboration on arms procurement and the development of next-generation weaponry.

John Healey, the Defence Secretary, hopes that the pact will strengthen both the UK and German defence sectors, particularly as Western nations work to boost production and replenish their arsenals after supplying Ukraine with billions of pounds worth of military aid.

The UK is also seeking a broader security and defence arrangement with the EU, covering areas such as intelligence sharing, energy, and the fight against illegal migration. Sources suggest that this pact with Germany represents the "first steps" towards a more comprehensive agreement, with formal discussions with Brussels expected in the new year.

Concerns over America's future commitment to NATO, particularly in light of Washington's growing focus on China and the Indo-Pacific, as well as the potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency, have prompted the UK, France, and Germany — Europe's three largest military powers — to explore ways to shoulder more of the responsibility for countering Russian aggression.

Speaking at a NATO summit in Brussels, Healey indicated that the forthcoming agreement with Berlin would be the most significant bilateral defence arrangement the UK has negotiated since the 2010 Lancaster House agreement with France, which committed both nations to closer military cooperation, including joint nuclear weapons testing and military operations.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Germany has significantly ramped up its defence spending, transforming from one of NATO's smaller contributors to its second-largest, overtaking the UK. In February, Germany confirmed it had met NATO's target of spending 2% of its GDP on defence for the first time since the Cold War.

Although negotiations are nearing their conclusion, Healey is believed to have already held discussions on the pact with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, during the recent NATO defence ministers’ meeting. 

Notably, in addition to the German pact, the UK has revealed plans to work with Germany, France, Poland, and Italy to develop the next generation of long-range missiles. These new systems, designed to deter Russian aggression, will be significantly more advanced than the UK’s current Storm Shadow missiles and will have a range of at least 620 miles, quadrupling Storm Shadow’s 155-mile range.

The UK has also agreed to join the "diamond initiative," a European air defence project aimed at better protecting the continent from missile threats. The initiative comes as Russia, China, and Iran continue to develop advanced long-range and hypersonic missile capabilities.

By Aghakazim Guliyev