UK and Germany to build stronger defence relationship

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has hosted his German counterpart Ursula Von der Leyen in the UK for the first time to discuss strengthening defence ties. The visit follows the successful Ministerial Equipment Capability Cooperation talks in Berlin and the latest annual UK-Germany Army Staff Talks, which took place in London. Germany was formally recognised as a ‘tier one’ defence ally in November 2015’s Strategic Defence and Security Review, while Germany also recognised the UK as a key defence partners in its equivalent review. Williamson said: “The UK and Germany face the same intensifying threats to our way of life and we work closely together to protect our citizens from harm. Germany is one of our closest allies and I look forward to even closer cooperation.”