UK leads $50 billion NATO push for European deep-strike weapons, without the US
Britain, France, Germany and other European allies are launching a $50 billion initiative to develop long-range precision weapons, aiming to close a capability gap with Russia without relying on the United States.
The initiative
Britain will unveil a $50 billion NATO effort on Wednesday at the alliance's summit in Ankara, rallying a dozen European allies to develop long-range precision strike weapons. The UK-led programme, backed by France and Germany, will run over the next decade and is designed to operate without US involvement.
This UK-led initiative will allow us to step up our cooperation, bringing European Allies together to ensure NATO remains safe and secure for years to come.
The weapons
The weapons will have the ability to accurately strike targets at least 300 km away, and in some cases beyond 2,000 km. The British government said the investment would "radically enhance" NATO's defence and deterrence posture.
European cooperation and the US gap
The initiative marks a deliberate effort to build European industrial capacity in an area where Russia is well ahead. It comes as the EU's flagship €150 billion SAFE loans-for-weapons scheme caps non-EU content at 35 percent of a weapon's value, while a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine restricts Kyiv's ability to purchase non-EU military equipment.
We very much welcome the European initiatives, but we are very cautious because they should be as inclusive as possible. We need to keep in mind that we need to make sure that our armed forces have the capabilities they need to protect us all.
A senior NATO official told POLITICO there is not enough industrial capacity on either side of the Atlantic to meet demand, arguing the alliance needs all available capacity as fast as possible. But a senior EU official countered that it is "only fair" for the bloc's cash to prioritise EU-made weapons, adding that strengthening Europe's defence industry also contributes to a stronger NATO.
UK's existing commitments
London has already committed £3 billion until 2030 to precision missile capabilities under its £298 billion Defence Investment Plan. That includes a £770 million Deep Precision Strike programme with Germany to accelerate stealth and hypersonic missiles with a range above 2,000 km, expected to enter service in the 2030s, and a £1.4 billion Stratus missile programme with Italy and France, developed by MBDA. The UK is also designing the next generation of the Storm Shadow missile with France and Italy.
- UK-led $50 billion NATO deep-strike initiative unveiled at Ankara summit.
- UK's £3 billion precision missile investment period concludes.
- German-UK hypersonic missiles from Deep Precision Strike programme enter service.
Summit context
The Ankara summit also saw NATO announce deals with non-US companies, including the procurement of Saab's GlobalEye and an evaluation of Airbus's A400M strategic airlift aircraft. The 'Made in NATO' drive collides with the EU's 'Buy European' push as the European Commission prepares a review of defence procurement rules.
