German Warplanes to Monitor Russian Subs off Scotland Under New UK-Germany Defence Pact, Boosting Jobs with Artillery Factory

German aircraft will begin monitoring Russian submarines near the coast of Scotland under a new defense agreement between the UK and Germany. Additionally, this significant agreement will allow a German defense firm to establish a factory in the UK for manufacturing artillery gun barrels, generating over 400 employment opportunities.

Security and Defense Editor @haynesdeborah

Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 11:

Starting next year, German aircraft equipped to detect Russian submarines will begin patrols off the Scottish coast under a significant new defense agreement between London and Berlin.

The forthcoming pact, set to be finalized this Wednesday by UK Defence Secretary John Healey and his German counterpart, will additionally facilitate the establishment of a new facility in the UK by a German defense firm, which will produce artillery gun barrels.

For the first time in ten years, the UK will begin manufacturing these types of weapons, a decision highlighted as crucial nearly three years ago following Russia's extensive military action in Ukraine.

"A significant achievement"

In an expansion of their military collaboration, the United Kingdom and Germany have agreed to jointly develop new long-range missiles. These missiles are designed to strike with higher accuracy and cover greater distances compared to the Storm Shadow cruise missiles developed by the UK and France.

Mr. Healey referred to the Trinity House Agreement as a significant development in the relationship between the UK and Germany, noting that it would bolster security across Europe.

"He stated that it establishes unparalleled new partnerships with the German military and industrial sectors, enhancing our collective security and economic well-being, safeguarding our common values, and strengthening our defense industrial foundations."

The Ministry of Defence stated that the UK and Germany, both of whom increased their defense budgets in reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin's military actions in Ukraine, are "Europe's two largest defense spenders."

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Yet, the UK maintains strong military relationships with France, built upon specific defense agreements.

The French armed forces are often compared to those of the UK as both nations possess nuclear capabilities and have shown a greater propensity to deploy military strength abroad than Germany has since World War II ended.

During his visit to the UK for the signing of the new agreement, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted that Berlin and London are strengthening their ties.

"He stated that by collaborating on projects in the air, land, sea, and cyber sectors, we will enhance our defense abilities and thus fortify the European component of NATO."

"We cannot assume that Europe is automatically secure. Russia has initiated a conflict with Ukraine, significantly ramped up its arms production, and has consistently carried out hybrid assaults against our allies in Eastern Europe."

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This encompasses attacks on vital submerged assets such as undersea cables, gas pipelines, and other critical underwater infrastructure.

The UK and Germany have committed to collaborating on the security of underwater cables in the North Sea.

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In this initiative, they will collaborate to enhance "submarine monitoring technologies".

A new German squadron of anti-submarine surveillance aircraft, specifically the P8-Poseidon maritime patrol planes, is set to occasionally operate from the Royal Air Force base located in Lossiemouth, Scotland.

The specific launch date for the mission remains undecided because the inaugural plane, constructed by American defense contractor Boeing, won't be operational in the German military until 2025 at the earliest.

At a certain stage, the German aircraft might be equipped with torpedoes from the UK.

Under a new aspect of the deal, the Ministry of Defence has announced that Rheinmetall, a German defense company, will establish a factory for artillery gun barrels in the UK, a development expected to generate over 400 employment opportunities.

The text refers to the defense agreement as "the initial component of a broader treaty between the UK and Germany that was committed to by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Olaf Scholz in August."

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