UK and Germany sign landmark 'defence' treaty

PA MediaBritain and Germany have signed what the UK government is calling a “landmark defence agreement” aimed at boosting security, investment and jobs.Under the agreement, German defence company Rheinmetall will open a new factory in the UK to manufacture barrels for artillery guns – supporting 400 jobs.Both countries will work together to develop drones and a new long-range missile.German maritime surveillance aircraft will also periodically fly patrols of the North Atlantic from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.”Today is a significant day for UK and German relations and in the history of our two countries,” Defence Secretary John Healey said at a press conference following the signing.”This is the driving force behind our Nato-first UK defence strategy, behind our reset of UK relations with Europe,” he said.Labour promised to build closer military ties with Germany while in opposition and this is part of a wider push by this government to reset relations with key European allies…