Britain and Poland Sign Three-Year Defence Plan to Strengthen NATO’s Eastern Flank
The agreement covers missile defence, drone warfare, ammunition production, Baltic security and cybersecurity, while both countries prepare for a major exercise focused on potential post-war support operations in Ukraine.
Britain and Poland have signed a three-year defence agreement aimed at strengthening NATO’s eastern flank through expanded military cooperation, joint weapons development and closer defence-industrial ties.
The Warsaw Defence Plan was signed in Warsaw on October 27, establishing a framework for cooperation across several strategic areas, including air defence, unmanned systems, maritime security and cybersecurity.
Under the agreement, the two countries will pursue the joint development and production of next-generation air defence missiles, alongside the co-development of drone and counter-drone technologies designed to protect military forces and critical infrastructure.
Defence-industrial cooperation will also be expanded, with Britain’s BAE Systems and Poland’s state-owned PGZ defence group set to increase large-calibre ammunition production capacity.
The plan places particular emphasis on security in the Baltic region, with both countries committing to increased naval exercises, closer maritime coordination and cooperation between Britain’s Type 31 and Poland’s Miecznik frigate programmes.
Cybersecurity will form another key pillar of the partnership, with efforts to strengthen cyber defence, improve resilience and protect against hostile threats. Joint military training will also expand to cover electronic warfare, missile defence and counter-drone operations.
Preparations for Ukraine-related operations
Britain and Poland are also preparing for a major Coalition of the Willing exercise scheduled to take place in Poland next month. The exercise is expected to involve thousands of personnel preparing for potential post-war support operations in Ukraine.
The preparations reflect the two countries’ focus on military coordination and readiness in the event of a future arrangement for supporting Ukraine following the end of hostilities.
Warsaw has also pledged to seek greater British access to the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence financing programme, which is designed to support defence investment and procurement.
The Warsaw Defence Plan represents the first implementation phase of the broader UK–Poland Security and Defence Partnership Treaty, signed in May 2026.
The agreement signals a further deepening of defence ties between the two NATO allies, with a focus on strengthening military readiness, expanding European defence production and enhancing security along NATO’s eastern flank.