German warplanes capable of tracking Russian submarines will begin operations off the Scottish coast next year as part of a significant defense agreement between the UK and Germany. The pact, expected to be signed on Wednesday by Defence Secretary John Healey and his German counterpart, will also facilitate the establishment of an artillery gun barrel factory in Britain by a German defense company, creating over 400 jobs.
The new agreement marks the first time in a decade that such weapons will be manufactured in the UK, addressing a production capability that has been highlighted since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost three years ago.
Describing the agreement—referred to as the Trinity House Agreement—as a “milestone,” Healey stated that it will strengthen ties between the UK and Germany, enhancing European security. “It secures unprecedented levels of cooperation with the German Armed Forces and industry, benefiting our shared security and prosperity,” he said.
The UK Ministry of Defence noted that both the UK and Germany have increased defense spending in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, making them “Europe’s two biggest defense spenders.” However, Britain also maintains close defense ties with France, a country often compared with the UK due to their nuclear capabilities and willingness to project military power.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, visiting the UK for the signing, emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation. “With projects across air, land, sea, and cyber domains, we will enhance our defense capabilities and strengthen the European pillar within NATO,” he stated.
Pistorius highlighted the active threats posed by Russia, including its escalated weapons production and hybrid attacks on partners in Eastern Europe, which target critical infrastructure such as undersea cables and gas pipelines. In response, the UK and Germany will collaborate to protect such infrastructure in the North Sea, developing joint undersea surveillance capabilities.
The German fleet will include P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which will operate periodically from a Royal Air Force base in Lossiemouth, Scotland. The timeline for this operation remains undetermined, as the first P-8 aircraft are not expected to enter service with the German military until at least 2025. Additionally, these warplanes may eventually be armed with British torpedoes.
The establishment of the Rheinmetall artillery gun barrel factory in the UK is another key aspect of the agreement, projected to create more than 400 jobs. The Ministry of Defence described the defense accord as “the first pillar in a wider UK-Germany treaty” initiated by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Olaf Scholz in August.
Credit: Sky News
