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A consortium of twelve nations, including the United Kingdom, is preparing to invest over £37 billion (approximately $50 billion) over the next decade in the development of a new long-range missile intended to bolster Europe’s defence capabilities. This initiative, known as the Deep Precision Strike project, was recently announced by the UK government and is scheduled for further discussion during the Nato summit taking place in Ankara, Turkey.
This summit marks Sir Keir Starmer’s final Nato meeting as prime minister, where he may encounter criticism from US President Donald Trump regarding the UK’s defence spending. Trump has emphasized the importance of Nato members meeting a target of allocating 3.5% of their GDP to defence by 2035, a commitment made by almost all alliance countries last year. Despite this, Sir Keir will bring together about twelve leaders during the summit to focus on advancing the missile programme. The missile itself is described as one of Nato’s most sophisticated weapons, designed to engage targets at distances close to 200 miles (300 kilometers), with potential range extensions up to 1,250 miles.
Sir Keir highlighted the British-led project’s role in uniting European allies, stating it will “help bring European allies together to keep Nato safe for years to come.” However, like many military ventures currently in development, the Deep Precision Strike weapon is not expected to be operational until the 2030s. In a related context, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in June a six-month review focused on the deployment of American forces in Europe, reflecting ongoing concerns about defence readiness. Meanwhile, the UK government has committed £300 billion to its Defence Investment Plan, supporting long-term military modernization.
During the summit, Sir Keir is anticipated to underscore the rising threat posed by Russia towards the UK and Nato allies. Official figures indicate Nato has intercepted Russian aircraft approaching allied airspace over 700 times, while Russian military activities near UK waters have increased by 30%. Sir Keir is expected to emphasize that although Nato does not seek conflict with Russia, it must remain vigilant in protecting its members. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke on the capabilities the new missile system would provide, saying it “will be able to hit high value military targets and the logistical engines that drive armies, deterring any aggressor and strengthening our mutual security.” She added that Nato’s message to Russian President Vladimir Putin is clear: the alliance is “stronger, more European and ready to defend our citizens against the long-term threat posed by him and the Russian state.”
At the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on allies to supply Ukraine with the air defence systems it urgently requires amid intensifying Russian attacks. Ukraine has increased its own capacity with long-range drone and missile strikes against Russian targets, including oil refineries and military positions, which have contributed to fuel shortages and power outages in Russia. The UK government noted that “Ukraine’s Armed Forces have proved that the effective use of long-range systems can have game-changing impacts on the battlefield,” significantly impairing Russia’s logistics and offensive capabilities.
In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia will closely monitor the outcomes of the Nato summit in Ankara. He maintained that no new Nato-supplied weapons to Kyiv would deter Russia from continuing its military operations in Ukraine until its goals are accomplished. Peskov remarked, “To our regret, these were not statements about constructive engagement and dialogue but rather statements of a confrontational nature.” Nevertheless, he emphasized that Russia still prefers a resolution to the conflict through political and diplomatic avenues
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