Germany, UK Sign Kensington Treaty for Enhanced European Defence
In a significant step towards enhanced European defence cooperation, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the Kensington Treaty in mid-July 2025. The treaty focuses on mutual defence and security, including collaboration on 'nuclear issues'.
The treaty builds on last year's UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement, expanding defence cooperation to include coordination on defence exports and defence industrial projects. This comes as Germany aims to make the Bundeswehr 'the strongest conventional army in Europe' and more than double its annual defence budget to over €160 million within the next four years.
Germany's renewed enthusiasm for defence is accompanied by political declarations promoting Europe's industrial sovereignty. The E3 triangle, comprising Germany, France, and the UK, is strengthened by bilateral treaties and collaboration on defence initiatives such as the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) project and the Future Cruise and Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) programme.
However, Germany's ambiguous relations with the US could pose challenges to trust between E3 allies and hinder joint defence projects. Germany's continued transatlantic purchases for major armaments also threaten Europe's ability to achieve independence from the US. Despite these hurdles, Germany's increased defence and military budgets, along with pledges of European solidarity, suggest a move towards a self-sufficient European defence.
The Kensington Treaty, with its focus on mutual defence and security, signals a significant step in Germany's and the UK's commitment to strengthening European defence. As Germany increases its defence budget and promotes European industrial sovereignty, the path towards a self-sufficient European defence becomes clearer. Despite potential challenges, the E3 alliance remains steadfast in its pursuit of collaborative defence initiatives.
Read also:
- Experiencing Life's Variety Firsthand: Gaining Insights from Life's Broad Spectrum of Experiences
- Budget Alterations Made to 2023 Toyota GR Corolla After 4,500 Miles, with a Cost of $38 for Smoothing Out the Rough 1-2 Shift
- Strategies for Keeping Work Reasonable and Rewarding for those with Autism and ADHD
- Steady Expansion Projected for Artificial Intelligence in Escalator Maintenance, with a Forecasted Growth Rate of 40.2%
