In a clear signal that Europe is bracing for a more dangerous security era, the UK and Poland have agreed to significantly strengthen their cooperation on missile defence and helicopter training, tightening coordination on NATO’s eastern flank.
The agreement, announced as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed Polish President Karol Nawrocki to Downing Street, is designed to sharpen both countries’ ability to detect and shoot down air and missile threats at a time of rising tension with Russia.
Stronger shields in the skies
Under the deal, the UK and Poland will work more closely on developing and procuring new capabilities to counter a wide range of aerial threats. Both sides will also explore how to boost defence manufacturing capacity across Europe, reinforcing supply chains and long-term resilience.
A key part of the cooperation will see British and Polish forces training together in virtual environments, allowing them to rehearse complex air defence scenarios without the cost and risks associated with live-fire exercises.
This training will sit within DIAMOND, the UK-led NATO initiative focused on delivering integrated air and missile operational networked defences, aimed at improving coordination across the alliance.
Polish pilots to train in the UK
Alongside missile defence, the two nations have agreed to deepen helicopter training cooperation. From this summer, eight Polish military helicopter pilots will begin training in the UK under the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) programme.
They will be joined by two experienced Polish helicopter instructors, who will be permanently based at RAF Shawbury for a full rotational tour. The pilots will undergo advanced, world-class training to prepare them for future roles flying attack helicopters.
‘Facing down the threat from Putin’
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said the agreement reflects a defence relationship that 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 said.
“This new cooperation will see more joint training and deeper integration between our two militaries. It’s another example of how the UK and Poland are stepping up to defend Europe and face down the threat from Putin.”
Healey also pointed to the UK’s expanding defence investment, with spending set to reach £270 billion during this parliament, marking the biggest sustained increase since the Cold War.
A growing military partnership
Poland remains one of the UK’s closest military allies. More than 350 British personnel are currently deployed across the country, while British and Polish pilots fly side by side on NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission, protecting Polish and allied airspace.
Defence industrial cooperation is also accelerating, with UK–Polish collaboration worth around £8 billion to the British economy over the past three years, underlining defence’s role as both a security pillar and a driver of economic growth.
As NATO nations look to strengthen deterrence and readiness, the UK–Poland agreement highlights how allies are moving quickly to adapt to a more volatile and unpredictable threat landscape.
