UK and Poland sign three-year defence plan covering drones, naval forces and cyber

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz signed a three-year defence cooperation plan in Warsaw on Tuesday, deepening an alliance framed explicitly around deterrence on NATO's eastern flank.

The plan builds on the UK-Poland Security and Defense Partnership Treaty — the "Northolt Treaty" — signed in May by then-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Cooperation areas span new technologies, artificial intelligence, drones, counter-drone systems and modern deterrence, alongside traditional exercises. The two countries also committed to co-developing next-generation air defence missiles based on Poland's Narew, Pilica and Pilica+ programmes.

Naval cooperation will focus on the Polish Miecznik (Swordfish) frigate programme and the British Type 31 frigate, described as on schedule, with increased Baltic Sea activity planned to protect vital lines of communication. Cyber security and resilience for both defence and civilian networks form a separate strand.

On defence industry links, the plan brings in MBDA UK on missiles, BAE Systems, and Poland's PGZ on large-calibre ammunition production.

Streeting described Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace as "state-sponsored terrorism," saying London hears clearly what Warsaw faces daily. Both ministers reaffirmed support for Ukraine and said joint participation in exercises including Steadfast Defender, Polish Dragon and Joint Warrior would continue.