The talks were held within the framework of the Defence Bilateral Ministerial Group on Equipment and Capability Cooperation (MECC). The initiative forms part of broader efforts by both countries to strengthen national security and deepen defence cooperation.
The proposed missiles will form part of a future family of stealth cruise and hypersonic weapons designed to deliver long-range strike capabilities. According to the programme’s timeline, the new systems are expected to enter service in the 2030s.
Initial development will focus on ground-launched missile systems capable of conducting deep precision strike missions. The programme will also examine the potential for air- and naval-launched variants to provide additional operational flexibility.
Officials said the joint initiative is intended to enhance long-range deterrence and expand military capabilities available to both countries. The cooperation is also designed to build on existing defence industrial strengths in the United Kingdom and Germany.
The project follows the Trinity House Agreement signed between the two countries in October 2024. That agreement established a framework for closer defence cooperation and technology development between London and Berlin.
British officials noted that the programme could be expanded to include other partners in the future. The German-British collaboration remains open to additional countries interested in contributing to the project.
The missile development initiative comes alongside a broader increase in defence investment by the United Kingdom. The government has announced what it describes as the largest sustained rise in defence spending since the Cold War, with defence spending set to reach 2.6% of GDP from 2027.
The UK has also allocated an additional £5 billion for defence during the current financial year and plans to invest £270 billion in defence capabilities during the current parliamentary term. These investments are intended to strengthen national security while supporting the domestic defence industry.
Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said the meeting demonstrated the strength of the defence partnership between the two countries. “The UK-Germany relationship is incredibly strong, and we’ve marked a step forward in our work to develop cutting-edge missile capabilities.”
Pollard added that the programme aims to strengthen both deterrence and industrial capabilities. “We are not only arming our military personnel with the best weaponry to act as the strongest possible deterrent to our adversaries, but in doing so we are also building the industrial foundations that will keep both nations at the forefront of defence technology, making us secure at home and strong abroad.”
Source: UK Ministry of Defence.
