UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin to ratify the 2025 Kensington Treaty and discuss potential German involvement in the GCAP fighter jet program.
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Key facts
- •The 2025 Kensington Treaty is the first treaty between Germany and the UK since the Second World War.
- •The GCAP program is a sixth-generation jet fighter project led by the UK, Italy, and Japan.
- •Germany is currently reassessing its combat aircraft options after the collapse of the FCAS project with France.
- •Burnham and Merz aim to hold the first joint meeting of the UK and German cabinets in 2027.
- •The UK government is seeking deeper cooperation with the EU to address growth and irregular migration.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Berlin on October 8, 2026, for his first official European trip to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The leaders formally ratified the 2025 Kensington Treaty, a new partnership designed to counter hybrid threats and interference in democratic processes. During the visit, Burnham expressed openness to Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a next-generation fighter aircraft project currently led by the UK, Italy, and Japan.
Defense and Security Cooperation
The Kensington Treaty marks the first such agreement between the UK and Germany since the Second World War. Burnham stated that the partnership aims to improve European security while fostering economic growth. Both leaders emphasized the need to address hybrid attacks, which have intensified recently, with intelligence services warning of rising threats including sabotage and interference.
GCAP Fighter Jet Program
Germany is currently exploring options for a next-generation fighter jet program following the collapse of its previous FCAS project with France. While Burnham indicated the UK is open to Germany joining the GCAP, a senior German official noted that no formal decision has been made. The program, which includes Italy and Japan, has previously considered other potential members, though existing partners have expressed concerns regarding potential delays or reduced industrial work-shares.
Future UK-EU Relations
Burnham expressed a commitment to deepening cooperation between the UK and the European Union, citing the potential for economic growth and improved management of irregular migration. Chancellor Merz affirmed Germany's support for bringing the UK closer to the European continent. The two leaders plan to host the first joint meeting of their respective cabinets next year.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Politics, Politico Europe, Deutsche Welle Politics.
