Britain 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.

The UK and Germany have signed a defence pact with the aim of closer co-operation in the face of a growing threat from Russia. Under the agreement, German submarine-hunting planes will operate from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and arms giant Rheinmetall is set to open a factory producing artillery gun barrels using British steel.

Officials say German submarine-hunting planes will patrol the North Atlantic from a base in Scotland under a new Britain-Germany defense pact in response to the growing threat from Russia.