The Prime Minister’s Office and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are set to sign a new UK-Poland defence and security treaty with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in London on 26 May 2026, expanding cooperation across defence, border security and organised crime measures. The agreement covers military development, migration coordination and responses to hybrid threats affecting both countries.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk is expected to visit London for talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as both leaders formalise a broader security agreement between the United Kingdom and Poland. The treaty expands existing cooperation and follows similar agreements already established with France and Germany.
The agreement spans several areas including defence collaboration, cyber resilience, border security and industrial development. Discussions are also expected to focus on increasing cooperation between the United Kingdom and European partners on wider security matters.
UK and Poland Sign New Security Agreement
The treaty establishes a new framework intended to expand operational coordination between the United Kingdom and Poland across defence and wider security activities. The agreement introduces mechanisms designed to strengthen responses to emerging threats affecting both countries.
- Security Cooperation: Joint work covering defence, cyber activity, migration and organised crime measures.
- Political Coordination: Expanded collaboration between the UK and Poland on wider European security matters.
Strengthening European Defence Cooperation
The agreement follows earlier security arrangements signed with France and Germany. The UK stated that improving relationships with European partners remains part of broader security and economic discussions.
Poland remains a major defence partner and supporter of Ukraine, with both governments expected to expand security coordination under the new framework. Discussions between leaders are expected to focus on defence coordination, operational readiness and wider security cooperation.
Responding to Hybrid and Emerging Threats
Leaders are expected to discuss increasing activity linked to hybrid threats, including cyber attacks, espionage and hostile activity targeting infrastructure. Both governments plan to increase information sharing and coordinated responses.
Officials also expect cooperation measures to include exercises and planning arrangements intended to improve operational readiness across different threat environments.
- Cyber Cooperation: Increased sharing of expertise relating to digital threats and malicious activity.
- Response Measures: Coordinated exercises intended to improve readiness and operational coordination.
Defence Industry and Military Capability Development
The defence element of the treaty includes plans to strengthen industrial cooperation and manufacturing capability. Future work may include joint activity involving air-defence systems and defence manufacturing initiatives.
Areas of development are expected to include air defence technologies and wider interoperability between defence systems used by both countries.
Planned Defence Cooperation Areas
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Air Defence Systems | Planned development | Government statements indicate cooperation on future defence capabilities. |
| Industrial Capability | Expanded cooperation | Joint manufacturing and expertise sharing expected under the agreement. |
| Military Coordination | Increased activity | Both governments expect greater interoperability between forces. |
Joint Military Exercises and Future Warfare Development
Military cooperation is expected to include larger exercises involving land forces and future operational technologies. Areas under discussion include electronic warfare, drone-related systems and engineering support activities.
Officials expect exercises to focus on improving interoperability and operational capability across different military environments.
Border Security and Migration Cooperation
The agreement includes a proposed Joint Action Plan on Irregular Migration intended to improve coordination on border security matters. The initiative is expected to support efforts against organised criminal networks involved in smuggling activity.
Officials also expect technology and intelligence-sharing measures to support identification and disruption activities linked to organised crime groups.
Migration and Border Cooperation Measures
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Migration Coordination | New action plan | UK and Poland expected to establish a Joint Action Plan on Irregular Migration. |
| Intelligence Sharing | Expanded activity | Officials expect increased information exchange against organised networks. |
| Border Technology | Future deployment | Advanced targeting and surveillance capabilities discussed by both countries. |
Prime Ministers Comments
Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister said;
“Britain and Poland are already close allies and friends, but the challenges Europe now faces demands an even stronger partnership.”
“This treaty is the biggest step forward in our defence and security relationship with Poland in a generation.”
The agreement establishes additional mechanisms covering military coordination, migration activity, industrial development and responses to hybrid threats affecting both countries.
Sources: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
