The governments of Europe's two biggest defense spenders, the United Kingdom and Germany, have agreed on a bilateral defense pact which is being seen as a sign of commitment to the NATO military alliance.

The United States presidential election at the beginning of November could have a major impact on the solidity of NATO, with British Defense Secretary John Healey saying the deal, known as the Trinity House Agreement, was looking to increase Europe's self-reliance. His German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, added that the agreement would "strengthen … the European pillar of NATO".

Regardless of the outcome of the US election, said Pistorius, Europe needed to be able to look after and protect itself better.

Under the terms of the deal, German submarine-hunter aircraft are expected to be allowed to use a Scottish military base to carry out patrols in the North Atlantic. The two countries will also collaborate more closely on developing new weapons systems, and German armament manufacturers will use British steel.

The pact also has a diplomatic element, being a sign of the new British government's desire to have better relations with its European neighbors in the aftermath of the country's exit from the European Union.

The other biggest military power and arms manufacturer in Europe is France, with which Britain has had a similar arrangement, known as the Lancaster House Treaties, dating back to 2010.

Germany also has a deal with France, so with all three countries now having comparable security arrangements, there is the potential for greater three-way cooperation.

"In a more dangerous world, allies are our strategic strength, and we must do more together," said Healey, adding it was "a significant day for UK and German relations and in the history of our two countries".

" (The agreement) secures unprecedented levels of new cooperation with the German Armed Forces and industry, bringing benefits to our shared security and prosperity, protecting our shared values and boosting our defense industrial bases," he said.