The UK will lead a new European initiative to accelerate investment in long-range precision strike capabilities, with around a dozen NATO allies expected to commit more than $50 billion
(£37 billion) over the next decade to strengthen the alliance's deterrence and defence capabilities.
The announcement is due to be made at the NATO Summit in Ankara, where UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will convene European leaders to launch the programme. The initiative is designed to increase European investment in advanced long-range weapons while reinforcing NATO's collective defence posture.
Participating countries plan to develop deep precision strike systems capable of engaging targets at distances of at least 300 kilometres, with some future weapons expected to exceed ranges of 2,000 kilometres. The programme will focus on improving Europe's ability to deter potential adversaries and respond to evolving security threats.
The UK has already committed £3 billion to long-range strike capabilities by 2030 through its Defence Investment Plan. Under the new European initiative, allies will collaborate on technology development, industrial cooperation and capability sharing to accelerate the delivery of next-generation weapons systems.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Starmer said the initiative would help build "a stronger, more European NATO" and ensure allies continue to develop advanced military capabilities capable of protecting the alliance for decades to come.
The initiative follows lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine, where long-range precision strikes have played a significant role in disrupting Russian logistics, command centres and military infrastructure far behind the front line.
Several multinational programmes already underpin the UK's long-range strike ambitions. Under the Trinity House agreement with Germany, London is jointly developing a deep precision strike system featuring stealth and hypersonic technologies with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometres. The UK will invest £770 million in the programme over the next four years, with the capability expected to enter service during the 2030s.
The UK is also working with France and Italy on the Stratus programme, a next-generation successor to the Storm Shadow cruise missile. The project includes both stealth and high-speed missile variants designed to engage high-value land and maritime targets while suppressing enemy air defences. Britain will contribute £1.4 billion to the programme over the next four years. The project currently supports more than 1,300 jobs at MBDA facilities in Stevenage and Bolton.
In addition, the UK has joined the Precision Strike Missile programme alongside the United States and Australia. The missile will provide the British Army with a supersonic ballistic weapon capable of striking targets up to 500 kilometres away.
Together, these programmes are intended to provide the UK's armed forces with a family of long-range strike systems operating across land, sea and air, while strengthening NATO's collective deterrence and Europe's defence industrial base.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said:
“We are building the weapons of the future to keep the UK and NATO secure for decades to come, backed by billions of pounds and working with our closest European allies.
“Our new suite of deep precision strike weapons will give our forces the ability to strike targets hundreds of kilometres away with great accuracy – strengthening NATO and deterring our adversaries.
“Our £298 billion investment in defence over the next four years is boosting readiness and ensuring our people have the kit and technology they need.”
During the Summit, the Prime Minister will also underline the substantial threat Russia poses to the UK and NATO. In the past two years, NATO has scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian aircraft approaching allied airspace more than 700 times and Russian military activity around UK waters has surged 30%.
He will stress that whilst we don’t seek confrontation with Russia, we must be ready to defend every ally.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
“With deep precision strike capability, the UK and our allies will be able to hit high value military targets and the logistical engines that drive armies, deterring any aggressor and strengthening our mutual security
“At Ankara we are sending a clear message to President Putin; NATO is stronger, more European and ready to defend our citizens against the long-term threat posed by him and the Russian state.”
