UK and Poland deepen missile defence cooperation to 'face down threat from Putin'
The UK and Poland have agreed to deeper coordination on missile defences and helicopter training as both countries look to bolster their defence on the eastern Flank and confront the threats posed by Russia.
The agreement was reached during talks at Downing Street between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Polish president Karol Nawrocki, where the leaders committed to enhanced joint training.
It will see the two countries explore the development and procurement of new capabilities to counter a range of air threats, support the creation of additional manufacturing capacity in Europe, and train Polish helicopter pilots in the UK through a Nato-led programme.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: "The UK and Poland's defence relationship has never been stronger. Standing strong on Nato's eastern flank, Poland is a crucial ally for the UK in this era of rising threats."
He added that it shows how the UK and Poland are "stepping up" to defend Europe, and "face down the threat from Putin".
Lessons learnt
Under the agreement, British and Polish militaries will train together in virtual environments to improve air defence coordination without the cost and danger of live exercises.
The MOD has said the enhanced training will boost Euro-Atlantic security and will be delivered as part of the UK-led Nato initiative known as Delivering Integrated Air and Missile Operational Networked Defences (Diamond).
Informed by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has demonstrated the vital role effective air defence plays in protecting cities and strategic positions, Diamond was established in 2024 to ensure these lessons can be applied across other Nato member states.
That same year, the UK ended a two-year deployment supporting the defence of Polish airspace with its anti-missile defence system Sky Sabre.
Alongside this initiative, the first of eight Polish military helicopters will begin training in the UK in the summer under the Nato Flight Training Europe Programme – joined by two experienced Polish helicopter instructors who will be permanently stationed at RAF Shawbury for a full rotational tour.
Decades of military cooperation
Poland remains one of the UK's closest allies, with more than 350 British personnel currently deployed in the country under operations including Operation Cabrit, and has cooperated on air defence extensively in the past.
Following Poland's invocation of Article 4 – after Russian drones violated its airspace late last year – RAF Typhoons flew air defence sorties over the country under the Eastern Sentry mission.
In 2023, a £1.9bn export agreement to equip 22 Polish air batteries was reached, alongside a further £4bn defence deal to support the next phase of Poland's Narew air defence programme.
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