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The UK and Poland have signed the Warsaw Defence Plan, a new agreement to work together across sea, land, air, cyber and industry. The Ministry of Defence announced it on 27 October 2026, as Defence Secretary Wes Streeting met his Polish counterpart, Władysław Kosiniak Kamysz, in Warsaw.
The government says the plan will make Britain more secure by deterring Russian threats. It is the first phase of cooperation under the UK-Poland Security and Defence Partnership Treaty, and it lands as the two countries prepare a major military exercise in Poland next month.
At a Glance
- The Warsaw Defence Plan was announced on 27 October 2026 as Defence Secretary Wes Streeting met Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak Kamysz in Warsaw.
- The plan is the first phase of cooperation under the new UK-Poland Security and Defence Partnership Treaty.
- The two countries will collaborate on next generation air defence missiles and on drone and counter drone technology.
- BAE Systems and Poland's PGZ will expand large calibre ammunition production capacity and capability.
- The UK and Poland plan a major Coalition of the Willing exercise in Poland next month, involving thousands of personnel.
What Is the Warsaw Defence Plan?
The plan sets out how the two allies will cooperate in practice, rather than adding a new treaty on top of the existing one. According to the Ministry of Defence, it covers sea, land, air, cyber and industry, with the stated aim of strengthening security and deterrence across Europe's Eastern Flank.
Mr Streeting framed the agreement as a continuation of a long relationship. He pointed to Polish and British forces flying together in the Battle of Britain and to the breaking of the Enigma code, and said Poland has been a vital partner for UK defence for nearly a century. The new plan, he said, honours that cooperation and supports "a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO".
The government presents the deal as the UK stepping up on European security, while also boosting the economies of both countries through stronger defence industries.
Missiles, Drones and Cyber, What the UK and Poland Will Build
Air defence is the first named priority. The two countries will work together on the manufacture and development of the next generation of air defence missiles. The announcement gives no cost, timetable or named missile programme for that work.
Drones come next. The plan commits both nations to co-developing drone and counter drone technologies to deter threats to civilians and critical national infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence says this comes as Russia steps up a campaign of drone incursions across the UK and Europe. The announcement does not describe specific incidents.
Cyber security is the third strand. The UK and Poland will boost cooperation on cyber security and resilience, with the goal of helping both countries defend military and civilian sites from hostile threats. Again, the detail of how that cooperation will work is not set out.
Frigates, Baltic Patrols and Ammunition Production
On the water, the plan has two elements. The first is shared learning from frigate programmes: the British Type 31 and the Polish Miecznik are built from a common design, and the two navies will share lessons and experience from developing them. The second is more activity in the Baltic Sea. Through exercises and regional coordination, British and Polish forces will increase defensive maritime activity to help protect vital lines of communication at sea.
Industry gets its own section. The two governments say they will bring their defence industries closer through coordinated procurement, building on deals such as Poland's purchase of its Narew air defence system from MBDA UK. BAE Systems and PGZ will expand large calibre ammunition production capacity and capability, and both countries' industries will collaborate on defence education, training and workforce mobility.
No contract values, production volumes or job numbers were published alongside the announcement.
Coalition of the Willing Exercise in Poland, What Is Planned?
The plan also commits both nations to continued participation in large scale exercises, naming Steadfast Defender, Polish Dragon and Joint Warrior. The stated purpose is to keep both countries ready for future conflicts, including counter drone warfare, electronic warfare and missile defence.
The nearest date on the calendar is next month. The UK and Poland are planning a major Coalition of the Willing exercise in Poland, which the Ministry of Defence says will involve thousands of personnel. Its purpose is to make sure the Multinational Force Ukraine is ready to support the military training and post war rebuilding that Ukraine will need.
The announcement does not give exact dates, troop numbers or the other nations taking part.
Does the Warsaw Defence Plan Include Funding? What Is Still Unknown
This is a cooperation framework, so it does not create new legislation or announce new spending. Much of what it describes is stated as intent: work together, boost cooperation, share lessons. The concrete commitments in the source material are the ammunition expansion by BAE Systems and PGZ, the continued exercise programme and the planned exercise next month.
Readers looking for the wider legal and strategic footing can turn to the treaty itself, which the plan is built on. The government has not said when later phases will follow or what they will cover.
Key Takeaways
- The Warsaw Defence Plan is the first phase of cooperation under the UK-Poland Security and Defence Partnership Treaty and covers sea, land, air, cyber and industry.
- The UK and Poland will work together on next generation air defence missiles and on drone and counter drone technologies to protect civilians and critical national infrastructure.
- The British Type 31 and Polish Miecznik frigates share a common design, and both navies will exchange lessons, alongside more defensive maritime activity in the Baltic Sea.
- BAE Systems and Poland's PGZ will expand large calibre ammunition production capacity and capability.
- The announcement published no costs, timelines or troop numbers, and later phases of the plan have not yet been described.