London, UK – May 27, 2026 – In a move signalling a strengthened commitment to European security, the United Kingdom and Poland have officially signed a comprehensive Security and Defence Partnership Treaty. The agreement, inked on May 27, 2026, at the historically significant Battle of Britain Bunker, outlines a series of priority projects designed to enhance the defence and security cooperation between the two nations. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the treaty as "the biggest step forward in our defence and security relationship with Poland in a generation," emphasizing its role in keeping both countries safe in the face of evolving global challenges.
Joint Development of Future Weaponry
A cornerstone of the new treaty is the commitment to jointly develop the weapons of the future. Building upon existing collaborations in air defence and high-tech weaponry, the UK and Poland are set to become leading European partners in the manufacture and development of next-generation missiles. This ambitious project will focus on enhancing capabilities across air-to-air, ground-based air defence, and land-based combat systems. Furthermore, the treaty aims to deepen defence industrial cooperation, fostering stronger ties between the defence industries of both nations. This includes promoting defence education, training, and workforce mobility to cultivate shared expertise. The agreement also seeks to improve coordination on defence procurement, vital for joint capability planning, enhancing NATO interoperability, and building industrial resilience to support third-country exports. UK and Polish defence industrial partners will expand their capacity for large-calibre ammunition production, supported by government-facilitated collaboration to ensure knowledge and technology transfer and to strengthen supply chain resilience.
Countering Hybrid Threats and Securing Borders
The treaty explicitly addresses the growing threat of hybrid warfare, particularly from Russia. A new comprehensive agreement on counter-hybrid threats cooperation will enable the UK and Poland to more proactively disrupt malign actions and increase the costs for hostile states seeking to undermine their security. A joint UK-Poland Counter-Hybrid Working Group will be established to coordinate efforts in this critical area. Beyond military and security cooperation, the treaty also focuses on bolstering economic and energy security, as well as securing their respective borders. A Joint Action Plan on irregular migration has been agreed upon, aiming to step up action against people smuggling networks, enhance intelligence sharing, and leverage new technologies to monitor borders and deter irregular migration. The partnership also extends to maritime security, with a focus on the North Sea and Baltic Sea. This project will improve the analysis and monitoring of the maritime security situation, safeguarding vital lines of communication and enhancing operational agility and deterrence.
Historical Significance and Future Outlook
The signing ceremony took place at the Battle of Britain Bunker in London, a location chosen for its historical resonance. Polish pilots played a significant role in the Battle of Britain, making the venue a symbolic choice. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk noted that the new agreement would be named the Northolt Treaty, honouring the nearby RAF base from which Polish pilots flew during the Second World War. Tusk stated that the treaty had raised Polish-British relations "to the highest possible level" and would help "secure Poland and other countries against the Russian threat." He added, "History teaches us, and geography teaches us in a particularly painful way, that Poland must build credible alliances that will, above all, deter potential aggressors." The treaty's implementation is expected to foster closer collaboration on defence capability and military interoperability, marking a significant step in strengthening European security architecture against contemporary threats.