Poland and the United Kingdom have signed the Warsaw Defence Plan, a defence agreement that the British Ministry of Defence says is intended to "deter Russian threats", covering joint development of air-defence missiles and drones, and military exercises in the Baltic Sea.
The plan was signed in Warsaw on 27 October by British defence secretary Wes Streeting and his Polish counterpart, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. It follows a strategic defence partnership the two countries signed earlier this year and builds on the Northolt Treaty agreed in May.
Streeting described Poland as one of the UK's closest allies and a vital defence partner for nearly a century, dating back to the Battle of Britain and breaking the Enigma code, and said the plan sets out how the two countries will work together, "building a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO". Kosiniak-Kamysz said "the Polish-British alliance has never been as strong as it is now". Both ministers emphasised the importance of working together to support Ukraine.
Among the aims listed for the plan are collaboration in the development and manufacture of next-generation air-defence missiles, as well as drones and counter-drone technologies. The plan also pledges to "increase defensive maritime activity in the Baltic Sea through exercises and regional coordination, helping British and Polish forces protect vital lines of communication in the sea".
The agreement builds on existing defence industry ties, including Poland's purchase of CAMM-ER surface-to-air missiles and 100 launchers from MBDA, and a strategic partnership on ammunition production between Poland's PGZ and Britain's BAE Systems. Earlier this year, Poland and the UK, along with Germany, France and Italy, agreed to jointly develop and procure air-defence systems including missiles and drones.
In November, Poland will host the first military exercises organised by the so-called Coalition of the Willing, with thousands of personnel from the UK, Poland, France and Germany testing operational readiness for a multinational force to secure a potential future Ukraine peace deal.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The plan commits two close allies to joint production of next-generation air-defence missiles, drones and counter-drone technologies, deepening the link between their defence industries.
- It adds to a rapid expansion of Poland's security partnerships this year, including agreements with South Korea, Japan, Canada and Norway.
- November's Coalition of the Willing exercises tie the treaty to live planning for securing a possible Ukraine peace deal.
Background
Poland and the UK have a long defence relationship, which Streeting traced to the Battle of Britain and the breaking of the Enigma code. The Warsaw Defence Plan follows the Northolt Treaty signed in May this year, under which the two countries agreed to cooperate more closely on security. Poland has been broadening its security ties across Europe and Asia: last year it signed an agreement upgrading relations with France, the previous year a strategic partnership with Sweden, and this year it has deepened ties with Canada and Norway and signed comprehensive strategic partnership agreements with South Korea and Japan.
Key Perspectives
Wes Streeting: called Poland one of the UK's closest allies and a vital defence partner for nearly a century, saying the plan honours that cooperation and sets out how the two countries will work together, "building a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO".
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz: said "the Polish-British alliance has never been as strong as it is now".
Both ministers: emphasised the importance of working together to support Ukraine.
What to Watch
- Poland hosts the first Coalition of the Willing military exercises in November, testing operational readiness for a multinational force linked to a potential Ukraine peace deal.
- Whether the pledge to jointly develop and manufacture next-generation air-defence missiles and drones moves forward, building on the earlier five-nation agreement on air-defence systems.
- How the promise of increased defensive maritime activity in the Baltic Sea is implemented through exercises and regional coordination.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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- SupportedPoland and the UK signed the Warsaw Defence Plan to deter Russian threats.Notes from Poland: “The aim, says the British Ministry of Defence, is to “deter Russian threats”.”
- SupportedThe summary says the agreement covers joint production of missiles and drones.Notes from Poland: “The plan, which follows on from the two countries signing a strategic defence partnership earlier this year, will include joint development and production of defence technologies”
- SupportedThe agreement covers increased exercises in the Baltic Sea.Notes from Poland: “The Warsaw Defence Plan also pledges to “increase defensive maritime activity in the Baltic Sea through exercises and regional coordination”
- Partly supportedThe plan was signed in Warsaw on 27 October by both Wes Streeting and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.Notes from Poland: “Today, Defence Secretary @WesStreeting signed the Warsaw Defence Plan”
- SupportedThe plan follows a strategic defence partnership signed earlier in 2026 and builds on the Northolt Treaty signed in May.Notes from Poland: “This week’s agreement builds upon the Northolt Treaty signed by Poland and the UK in May this year”
- SupportedStreeting described Poland as one of the UK's closest allies and a vital defence partner for nearly a century, referring to the Battle of Britain and breaking the Enigma code.Notes from Poland: ““Poland is one of the UK’s closest allies – from flying together in the Battle of Britain, to breaking the Enigma code, they have been a vital partner for our defence for nearly a century,” said British defence secretary Wes Streeting”
- SupportedStreeting said the plan sets out how the countries will work together, “building a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO”.Notes from Poland: ““The new Warsaw Defence Plan honours this cooperation and sets out how we will continue to work together today, building a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO,” he added.”
- SupportedKosiniak-Kamysz said the Polish-British alliance had never been as strong as it is now.Notes from Poland: “His Polish counterpart, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, declared that “the Polish-British alliance has never been as strong as it is now”.”
- SupportedBoth ministers emphasised the importance of working together to support Ukraine.Notes from Poland: “Both he and Streeting also emphasised the importance of working together to support Ukraine.”
- SupportedThe plan includes collaboration on developing and manufacturing next-generation air-defence missiles, as well as drones and counter-drone technologies.Notes from Poland: “Among the aims listed for the plan are collaboration in the development and manufacture of next-generation air-defence missiles, as well as drones and counter-drone technologies.”
- SupportedPoland, the UK, Germany, France and Italy agreed earlier in 2026 to jointly develop and procure air-defence systems, including missiles and drones.Notes from Poland: “Earlier this year, Poland and the UK, along with Germany, France and Italy, agreed to jointly develop and procure air-defence systems, including missiles and drones.”
- SupportedIn November, Poland will host the first Coalition of the Willing military exercises, with thousands of personnel from the UK, Poland, France and Germany testing readiness for a force intended to secure a potential future Ukraine peace deal.Notes from Poland: “In November, Poland will host the first military exercises organised by the so-called Coalition of the Willing. Thousands of personnel from the UK, Poland, France and Germany will test operational readiness for a multinational force to secure a potential future Ukraine peace deal.”