The treaty, signed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, enshrines a shared pledge to assist one another in case of armed attack—a clause intended to complement NATO’s collective defense framework rather than replace it. Starmer hailed the deal as a “foundation to tackle shared problems and invest in shared strengths,” while Merz emphasized a desire to draw the UK closer to Europe after years of divergence post-Brexit.

German officials underscored the pact as a response to mounting concerns over Russia’s actions in Ukraine and uncertainty over future U.S. commitment to NATO under a potential second Trump presidency. Jürgen Hardt, foreign-policy spokesman for Merz’s CDU/CSU, described the treaty as “a strong signal in a world marked by uncertainty.”

Missile Program, Migration Policy, And Education Cooperation

The treaty commits both nations to developing a Deep Precision Strike missile system within the next decade, featuring a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers. According to Starmer’s office, the program will bring substantial industrial investment and reinforce European defense capabilities.

In parallel with defense measures, Germany is expected to pass legislation criminalizing facilitation of irregular migration to the UK. The treaty also introduces visa-free travel for school groups between both countries, in a bid to foster people-to-people exchange and rebuild cultural links.

Starmer and Merz’s agreement follows a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron and is seen as another step toward revitalizing the UK’s relations with European partners. While the pact delivers political gains for both leaders domestically, its broader implications signal a renewed era of Anglo-German alignment in an increasingly fragmented global order.