The UK and Germany have signed a landmark defence treaty, known as the Trinity House Agreement, to bolster security and foster economic growth. UK Defence Secretary John Healey and his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, met in London to formalise the agreement, marking a significant moment in the two nations’ relationship. Healey emphasised that this first-of-its-kind treaty with Germany would strengthen collective security through NATO, which remains central to both countries’ defence strategies.

Healey highlighted that the agreement covers cooperation across all domains—land, sea, air, cyber, and space—and will be legally embedded within a broader UK-Germany treaty. He described the deal as a pivotal step in enhancing Europe’s security and a significant milestone in UK-Germany defence relations. Pistorius echoed these sentiments, noting that in an era defined by geopolitical tensions, particularly Russia’s aggressive stance, this agreement represents a display of solidarity and trust between the two nations.

A key component of the agreement includes a new factory to be established in the UK by German defence firm Rheinmetall to produce artillery gun barrels. The treaty will also pave the way for joint efforts in developing drones and long-range missiles. At the same time, German maritime patrol aircraft will periodically fly surveillance missions over the North Atlantic from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. Both nations intend to use the agreement to bolster NATO’s eastern flank, reinforcing their commitment to European security.

Separately, both Healey and Pistorius expressed concerns over reports of North Korean troops possibly being deployed to Russia, potentially escalating the conflict in Ukraine. While there is uncertainty about the scale and nature of North Korean involvement, both defence chiefs underlined the gravity of the situation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had recently claimed that up to 10,000 North Korean soldiers could be joining Russian forces, but NATO officials have stated that no concrete evidence has emerged to confirm this.