NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the newly established defense agreement between the UK and Germany on Wednesday, highlighting its significance in enhancing the western military alliance’s support for Ukraine’s security. During a visit to a NATO battle group in Estonia, Rutte stated, “NATO will continue to step up our deterrence and defense and increase our support for Ukraine because Ukraine’s security is our security.”
Addressing questions about the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Rutte expressed confidence in the enduring relationship between NATO and Washington, stating, “We will work positively with whoever wins.” He emphasized that both sides of the U.S. political spectrum recognize NATO’s critical role in global security.
The UK-Germany defense agreement includes plans for German defense firm Rheinmetall to establish a factory in the UK for manufacturing artillery gun barrels. Additionally, the agreement will facilitate collaboration on the development of drones and a new long-range missile. Separately, German maritime surveillance aircraft will periodically patrol the North Atlantic from Royal Air Force (RAF) Lossiemouth in Scotland, further solidifying defense cooperation between the two nations.
