London and Berlin are deepening their defence ties with a new initiative to co-develop artificial intelligence for military use. British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced the plan in an op-ed for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung ahead of talks with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, in Berlin on Monday.
The two countries will expand the existing joint cybersecurity project, known as Cyber Lighthouse, to cover AI. Streeting wrote that through joint testing, development, and eventual deployment of AI in their armed forces, the two nations would "deepen our cooperation and keep pace with those who seek to harm us."
Industry talks set for 2027
Government and industry representatives from both countries are scheduled to meet in spring 2027 to work out the details. No specific AI systems, programmes, or budgets have been announced so far, but the commitment signals a strategic alignment between two of Europe's largest military powers.
Streeting also highlighted that German companies have committed £800 million (about €956 million) to the UK defence industry since the two countries signed a defence pact in 2024. Among the investors is Munich-based Helsing, which opened a factory in Plymouth last year to build AI-powered underwater gliders designed to track hostile submarines.
The move comes as AI plays an increasingly prominent role in modern warfare. The International Committee of the Red Cross has warned that an arms race is already under way and has called for legally binding rules on autonomous weapon systems.
This collaboration is part of a broader trend of European defence integration. Germany has also been testing armed ground robots with Ukraine for frontline use, and has been strengthening economic-security ties with Japan. The UK and Germany's joint AI project could set a precedent for other European nations, though questions remain about interoperability and ethical safeguards.
Streeting's op-ed in a German newspaper underscores the importance Berlin holds for London's defence strategy. The two countries have historically been key NATO allies, and this initiative could further cement their partnership in an era of rapid technological change.
While the financial details are still under wraps, the spring 2027 meeting will be crucial in defining the scope and ambition of the project. Defence analysts will be watching closely to see whether the collaboration extends beyond research into operational deployment.
