Overview
- A three-year renewal, announced Thursday by London and Paris, revives the Sandhurst pact and commits up to £660 million from the UK.
- France will raise coastal security staffing to 1,400 officers by 2029, with near-term deployments of roughly 1,100 police, intelligence and military personnel on the northern beaches.
- Part of the British support is conditional, including £160 million that will be paid only if new tactics curb crossings, with the option to halt that tranche after one year.
- The plan adds drones, two helicopters, better cameras, a 50-officer rapid-response police unit, and a new interception ship with more than 20 extra maritime officers.
- Officials cite more than 41,000 small-boat arrivals in 2025 and fatal attempts in early April near Équihen-Plage, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer hails the deal and domestic critics call it insufficient.