UK and Poland to sign major defence treaty amid rising threats across Europe
The deal is part of the Prime Minister’s wider push to reset relations with Europe
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to sign a major new defence and security treaty with Poland on Wednesday, as the Government steps up efforts to tackle hostile threats across Europe.
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The treaty is aimed at boosting border security, tackling organised crime, strengthening collective defence and deepening cooperation with Europe.
Sir Keir Starmer will host Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in London on Wednesday, where the two leaders are expected to sign the agreement amid growing hostile threats across Europe.
Poland is one of the UK’s closest defence and security partners, a strong supporter of Ukraine and a key economic ally.
The pair are expected to discuss a rise in hybrid threats, including alleged Russian-linked arson attacks, cargo fires, cyber-attacks and espionage, and agree on closer cooperation in response.
The deal is part of the Prime Minister’s wider push to reset relations with Europe and follows similar agreements with France and Germany.
Improving UK-EU relations for the benefit of consumers, businesses and wider European security is also expected to be high on the agenda.
Sir Keir said: “Britain and Poland are already close allies and friends, but the challenges Europe now faces demand an even stronger partnership.
“This treaty is the biggest step forward in our defence and security relationship with Poland in a generation. It will help us confront modern threats that may be less visible but are no less dangerous, and our work together will keep our countries safe for years to come.
“It also delivers on my commitment to work more closely with European partners to boost security and opportunity at home and stability across our continent.”
The defence element of the deal is expected to bring major benefits to both countries, with British and Polish forces set to combine expertise and industrial capability to help develop and manufacture next-generation weapons, support sovereign supply chains and protect highly skilled jobs in both countries.
That is expected to include new air defence effectors – advanced munitions designed to strengthen air and missile defence systems – as well as deeper military interoperability across all domains.
The agreement is also expected to cover co-production of a next-generation medium-range air defence missile.
The UK and Poland are also expected to step up the use of uncrewed systems to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank through next-generation land capabilities.
Under the plans, joint land forces would carry out large-scale exercises focused on counter-drone warfare, electronic warfare and engineering support, while also developing future warfighting capability through new and disruptive technologies.
The treaty is also expected to strengthen cooperation against emerging threats including cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns, with both countries set to share expertise, coordinate responses and carry out joint exercises to improve real-time resilience.
Migration and border security are also expected to feature in the talks.
As a key migration partner for the UK and a frontline state in Europe’s migration system, Poland is expected to agree a new Joint Action Plan on Irregular Migration with Britain.
The plan would aim to target smuggling gangs, disrupt their use of social media to exploit vulnerable people, expand intelligence-sharing and make greater use of surveillance and targeting technology to strengthen border security in both countries.