The UK and its leading European allies are joining forces to develop a new generation of low-cost air defence weapons designed to protect European skies and
strengthen NATO’s collective security.
The announcement was made at a meeting of the European Group of Five (E5) in Krakow on Friday, 20 February. Britain, alongside France, Germany, Italy and Poland, formally launched a new multinational programme called Low-Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms (LEAP).
The LEAP initiative aims to accelerate the development of affordable, advanced air defence technologies, including autonomous drones and missile systems. Its first capability is expected to be delivered by 2027, marking a major step in pooling European defence funding, industrial expertise, artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies.
UK ministers say the programme reflects a broader shift toward faster, more flexible weapons development, drawing inspiration from the rapid innovation seen on the battlefield in Ukraine. Instead of traditional long development timelines, LEAP will prioritise speed, adaptability and cost-effectiveness.
The government has also underlined its wider defence ambitions. From 2027, the UK plans to spend 2.6% of GDP on defence, representing the largest sustained increase since the end of the Cold War. Officials say the investment is essential to ensure the security of Britain and its allies amid growing threats to European airspace.
Speaking after the meeting, Defence Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard described the moment as critical for European security.
He said European nations were “stepping up together” by investing in next-generation air defence and autonomous systems to reinforce NATO’s protective shield. Pollard also stressed that closer industrial cooperation and continued support for Ukraine demonstrate Europe’s readiness to deter aggression and, if necessary, defend itself collectively.
The first focus of the LEAP programme will be a new surface-to-air weapon designed to counter drones and missile attacks. The system is expected to be lightweight and affordable, making it easier to deploy at scale. Proposals will be invited from both major defence contractors and small and medium-sized enterprises, widening participation across the defence sector.
The initiative comes as the UK deepens cooperation with European partners on other advanced weapons programmes, including long-range precision and hypersonic systems. Spending on these projects is set to exceed £400 million in the current financial year.
As Europe’s five largest defence spenders, the E5 countries continue to play a central role in reinforcing NATO’s defences, strengthening industrial resilience and maintaining firm support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. Photo: Harland Quarrington/MOD, Wikimedia commons.