Joint Statement from UK and Germany: Strengthening Defence Cooperation for a Safer Future

Today marked the convening of the second Defence Ministerial Council under the Trinity House Agreement, two years following its inception. Our nations have made considerable strides in enhancing defence collaboration between the United Kingdom and Germany.

The security of both the United Kingdom and Germany is intrinsically linked to that of Europe as a whole. It is our shared responsibility to bolster the European contribution to NATO, enhance deterrence, and ensure that Europe is increasingly equipped to provide the necessary capabilities and forces for our collective defence. The Trinity House Agreement, strengthened by the Kensington Treaty, establishes the framework for our cooperative efforts.

Support for Ukraine amidst Ongoing Conflict

During today’s meeting, we reiterated our steadfast support for Ukraine in light of Russia’s unlawful invasion. As co-chairs of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), the United Kingdom and Germany will persist in collaborating with Ukraine and our international allies to ensure its Armed Forces receive the vital support they require. We acknowledged the importance of further developing the UDCG, enhancing the connection between Ukraine’s needs and the capabilities of its partners. Additionally, we remain dedicated to assisting Ukraine in achieving a just and enduring peace, which will be underpinned by robust and credible security guarantees. As part of the Coalition of the Willing, we will continue to formulate these guarantees for implementation following the cessation of hostilities when the conditions permit.

Advancements in Defence Capabilities

We also noted significant progress in our pivotal project to develop Deep Precision Strike (DPS) capabilities, which will extend beyond 2,000 km and is slated for delivery within the decade, thereby supporting jobs throughout the supply chain for both UK and German industries.

Our Armed Forces are deepening their collaboration further. In the land domain, we are enhancing our strategic partnership to improve readiness and interoperability while exploring future capabilities and uncrewed systems. In maritime operations, we are advancing our cooperation regarding the procurement of Sting Ray, with an Implementing Arrangement signed between our National Armaments Directors today. Previously, we agreed that German P-8A Poseidon aircraft would operate from the UK on an episodic basis. This year, this commitment was realised for the first time, with RAF Lossiemouth aiding German Navy P-8s during Exercise Dynamic Mongoose in May, and more recently during Exercise Strike Warrior, which concluded early last month. These activities are reinforcing our collaboration in the North Atlantic and North Sea. Our Air Forces will continue to enhance their cooperation through the bilateral Flight Plan, which includes future uncrewed and collaborative combat capabilities.

Expanding Cyber and Space Initiatives

We also recognised the need for our partnership to evolve in response to rapid advancements in defence. To this end, we will expand the Cyber Lighthouse Project under the Trinity House Agreement to incorporate Artificial Intelligence. By collaborating on a select number of shared military use cases, we will deepen our bilateral cooperation in capability development, experimentation, and adoption.

Last month, the Federal Chancellor and Prime Minister articulated their joint ambition for the UK and Germany to strengthen strategic cooperation in the realm of Space. Today, our Ministries of Defence will initiate work to realise this ambition. Building upon a solid foundation of defence space collaboration, we aim to deepen our strategic defence space relationship. We will leverage both bilateral and multilateral mechanisms to explore collaborative opportunities in areas such as satellite communications, earth observation, data exploitation, space domain awareness, and capability requirements.

Commitment to Continued Cooperation

When we signed the Trinity House Agreement in October 2024, we committed to a transformative shift in UK-German defence cooperation. Two years later, our Armed Forces, capability teams, and industries are collaborating across an increasingly broad agenda. We have instructed our teams to sustain this momentum through 2027, with a continued emphasis on delivery and tangible outcomes. Together, the United Kingdom and Germany will persist in supporting Ukraine, deepening our partnership, and safeguarding our continent by fortifying a stronger Europe within a more resilient NATO.