Germany and Britain hold talks on nuclear force cooperation

Talks on cooperation regarding nuclear forces are under way in Berlin between Germany and the United Kingdom.

This situation could grant Germany influence and perhaps even a voice in the potential use of nuclear weapons.

According to a report in The Telegraph, discussions are taking place on providing non-nuclear support for the United Kingdom’s nuclear forces as a first step.

Potential support measures include the deployment of Patriot air defence batteries to the Faslane submarine base in Scotland, where nuclear-armed submarines are stationed.

Furthermore, over the long term, US-origin components of British nuclear forces, such as Trident missiles, could be replaced with German-British weapons systems.

These deliberations build on the expansion of German-British defence cooperation, which has accelerated significantly since last year and includes extensive investments in the United Kingdom by German defence industry firms ranging from Rheinmetall to Helsing.

Defence circles speak of a “golden era” of German-British cooperation in the production of all types of weapons systems, from tanks to artificial intelligence-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles.

Rapidly developing German-British defence cooperation

According to an analysis in German Foreign Policy, the foundations of the current boom in German-British defence cooperation were laid shortly after the United Kingdom left the EU on 31 January 2020.

Following preparatory work, the foreign ministers of both countries initially signed the Joint Declaration of Intent on German-British Foreign Policy Cooperation on 30 June 2021.

Following statements between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on 24 April 2024, and by the defence ministers of both countries on 24 July 2024—which likewise focused on significantly strengthening defence cooperation—the Trinity House Agreement was signed on 23 October 2024 as the first accord listing “concrete key projects for joint capability development in all dimensions”.

This series of bilateral agreements culminated in the Kensington Treaty of Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation on 17 July 2025.

The treaty encompassed a wide range of cooperation objectives in areas such as the economy, research, and education, while at least touching upon foreign and military policy issues.

German defence investments on the British Isles rise

The expansion of defence cooperation currently consists primarily of investments by German defence industry firms in the United Kingdom, and these investments have gained tremendous momentum since last year.

Rheinmetall, for example, produces Boxer infantry fighting vehicles in the United Kingdom and opened a “UK Gun Hall” in Telford, where artillery systems and tank gun barrels are manufactured.

German drone start-ups are also establishing factories in the United Kingdom.

Stark Defense, for instance, manufactures all kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles at its new facility in Swindon, including those capable of diving onto and destroying enemy tanks from a distance of 100 kilometres.

According to the company, this method is cheaper than conventional missiles.

Helsing, currently Europe’s most valuable defence start-up with an €18 billion valuation, has also begun investing in the United Kingdom.

In Plymouth, Helsing produces underwater drones controlled using artificial intelligence that are capable of detecting enemy submarines.

According to reports, one of the main plans is to deploy these drones in large numbers to establish a type of underwater defence chain.

The aim is to make it possible to protect waters against intrusions by hostile submarines and vessels.

Russia targeted in long-range precision strike weapons

Among the most significant German-British defence projects to date are initiatives aimed at developing and manufacturing long-range precision weapons (Deep Precision Strike, DPS) designed to strike targets deep inside enemy territory.

At present, the focus is placed particularly on preparations to hit targets deep within Russia.

In line with the provisions of the Trinity House Agreement, Germany and the United Kingdom have begun developing various missiles with a range of more than 2,000 kilometres, including hypersonic missiles.

These missiles are expected to become operational around 2034.

Additional programmes have been launched since then. On the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, London launched a new initiative involving a total of twelve NATO member countries, including Germany.

The objective here is likewise to develop long-range precision weapons, with mentions of a cruise missile and another hypersonic missile.

Experts assume that Germany will play a significant role within this programme as well.

In this case too, the transition to operational readiness is anticipated in the early 2030s.

By that time, Germany is expected to have freed itself from dependence on US long-range weapons.

A voice for Berlin on nuclear matters

As The Telegraph reports, talks are continuing in Berlin to expand the increasingly close bilateral defence cooperation to cover nuclear weapons as well.

Specifically, discussions are reportedly ongoing regarding the provision of a contribution to British nuclear forces.

This could include, for example, the deployment of Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) units equipped with Patriot air defence batteries to the Faslane submarine base in Scotland.

British submarines equipped with Trident missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads are stationed at this base.

The plan to provide conventional support to Britain’s nuclear forces broadly corresponds to the initiative currently under way to supply non-nuclear support to French nuclear forces with Bundeswehr troops.

The officially stated rationale is to strengthen European nuclear powers to ensure they can act independently in the event of a further escalation in conflict with the US.

Yet German plans regarding British nuclear forces go even further. These forces have thus far depended on the US: Trident missiles are manufactured and maintained there, and the new British Astraea warhead is being developed jointly with the US W93 warhead programme.

According to The Telegraph, this situation causes concern in Berlin. Ultimately, the country cannot free itself from its dependence on the US under these conditions.

For this reason, consideration is being given in the German capital to providing financial contributions to the British nuclear programme, thereby financing new weapons systems.

It is noted, for instance, that the German shipyard TKMS builds submarines capable of being fitted with nuclear weapons for Israel.

Furthermore, Germany and the United Kingdom are reportedly already jointly developing long-range missiles, including hypersonic systems.

This points to a future plan for the production of nuclear-capable missiles in order to eliminate reliance on US Trident missiles.

From the perspective of the German government, one of the most important advantages of this initiative would be to grant Germany direct influence, and consequently a voice, over nuclear forces and their deployment.