Pro-government says UK-Germany AI pact will strengthen Europe’s defenses

Pro-government says UK-Germany AI pact will strengthen Europe’s defenses
Britain and Germany plan to jointly test, develop and deploy artificial intelligence across their armed forces, with governments and defense companies expected to agree on concrete implementation steps in spring 2027. The proposal was announced by British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting ahead of talks with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in Berlin.

The initiative would expand the existing Cyber Lighthouse cybersecurity project to include artificial intelligence. Streeting said the partnership would allow both countries to “deepen cooperation and keep pace with those who want to harm us.” He cited rising European security threats, including state-backed terrorism, sabotage and hostile activity, and argued that Europe must assume greater responsibility for its own defense.

The announcement builds on a defense agreement signed by London and Berlin in 2024. Since then, the two militaries have increased cooperation in the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea, including NATO missions protecting critical underwater infrastructure, anti-submarine exercises and the integration of air and naval forces.

Industrial cooperation is also expanding. German companies have announced roughly £800 million in planned investment in Britain’s defense sector. Helsing has opened a Plymouth facility producing AI-equipped underwater drones designed to detect enemy submarines, while ARX Robotics plans to invest £45 million in unmanned systems. Rheinmetall has outlined a £400 million investment, including a new artillery-barrel plant in Telford, and Stark Defence plans its first production facility outside Germany in Wiltshire.

The governments also intend to continue developing the Deep Precision Strike program, which Streeting said could deliver a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers by the end of the decade. He linked the broader partnership to military support for Ukraine, saying London and Berlin’s joint role in coordinating aid demonstrated the alliance’s contribution to European security and NATO.