The UK will lead a new European initiative to develop advanced long-range precision strike weapons, with around a dozen NATO allies expected to invest more than $50bn (£37bn) over the next decade to boost the alliance’s defense and deterrence capabilities.The deep precision strike project, unveiled by Downing Street ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, is expected to be a major focus of discussions among about a dozen European leaders invited by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.The initiative aims to accelerate the development of the next generation of long-range weapons capable of hitting targets at least 300 kilometers away, and the range of some systems is expected to exceed 2,000 kilometers, while maintaining high levels of accuracy, according to the BBC.The program initially focused on ground-launched weapons, and is also expected to explore air and sea capabilities.The announcement comes as European NATO members strengthen their defense cooperation amid continuing concerns about Russia’s military posture and increasing pressure from the United States on allies to shoulder a greater share of the alliance’s security burden.Starmer called for a “stronger, more European NATO” and said the initiative would bring allies together to develop the capabilities needed to protect the alliance in the coming decades.
He said the UK was already investing heavily in advanced long-range weapons, and that the wider European partnership would accelerate technological and industrial cooperation.The UK has already committed £3 billion by 2030 to develop its precision and deep strike capabilities under its Defense Investment Plan.The wider European program is expected to complement existing British projects with Germany, France and Italy, while putting long-range strike systems at the heart of NATO’s defense agenda over the next year.Among the main projects is a joint program between the United Kingdom and Germany to develop hidden and hypersonic weapons with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, which are expected to enter service in the 2030s.Britain is also working with France and Italy on the Stratos, the successor to the Storm Shadow cruise missile, which features two stealthy, high-speed versions designed to target vital military infrastructure, enemy ships and air defense systems.Separately, the UK is joining the Precision Strike missile program alongside the US and Australia, a move that will provide the British Army with a supersonic ballistic missile capable of striking targets up to 500 km away.Together, these programs aim to provide Britain with a range of long-range offensive capabilities that can be deployed from land, sea and air.This initiative draws heavily on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, where long-range precision strikes on logistics centers and military infrastructure have significantly disrupted Russian operations.British officials believe similar capabilities will play a central role in future conflicts and strengthen NATO’s deterrence posture.The announcement comes as NATO members continue to increase defense spending following last year’s agreement to work towards spending 5 percent of GDP on defense and security by 2035.However, Starmer is expected to face scrutiny over the UK’s timetable for meeting the NATO target of allocating 3.5% of GDP to core defense spending by the same deadline.At the summit, the British Prime Minister is also expected to highlight what London calls a growing Russian threat, citing more than 700 interceptions of Russian aircraft approaching NATO airspace in the past two years and a 30 percent increase in Russian military activity around UK waters.Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the new capability would enable the UK and its allies to strike high-value military and vital logistics targets deep inside enemy lines, strengthening collective security and sending a clear message that NATO remains prepared to deter future aggression.
