In brief
NATO leaders have agreed to spend £37 billion over a decade on a new long‑range missile project, the Deep Precision Strike, designed to hit targets up to 1,250 miles away. The initiative, unveiled by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aims to strengthen European deterrence amid rising tensions with Russia. While the system will not be operational until the 2030s, it represents a collaborative defence upgrade across the alliance. Starmer’s interim visit to Ankara coincides with discussions on defence spending targets for 2035 and critiques of US under‑commitment. The project follows US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s review of US forces in Europe and reflects growing calls for a unified, stronger NATO.
NATO Allies Sign £37bn Deal for Long‑Range Missile
In a landmark move, twelve NATO countries, led by the United Kingdom, announced a collective commitment of £37 billion (≈$50 billion) to develop the Deep Precision Strike, a new long‑range missile capable of striking targets almost 200 miles away with pinpoint accuracy and potentially up to 1,250 miles.
The project was unveiled at the UK cabinet meeting in London and is slated for detailed discussion during the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will use the event to rally allies around the programme, stressing that it will help keep NATO "safe for years to come".
Sir Starmer’s comments come amid criticism that the United States has not fully met the alliance’s 2035 defence‑spending target of 5 % of GDP. Speaking in Ankara, he warned that Russia poses an ongoing threat and that the new missile will enable Europe to respond to hostile advances with decisive firepower.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the initiative as "part of a recognition that we’re in a more dangerous world" and added that it will empower NATO allies to hit high‑value military targets, deter aggressors, and strengthen collective security.
The Deep Precision Strike is expected to enter service in the 2030s, with ongoing funding already incorporated into the UK Defence Investment Plan, which commits £300 billion to defence projects by 2030.
The missile’s development follows US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s six‑month review of U.S. forces in Europe, reflecting broader concerns about Ukraine’s defence needs and the escalating conflict with Russia. With Minsk and Akhmatovo being key logistics targets, Ukrainian forces have shown the transformational effect of long‑range attacks, a perspective echoed by both UK officials and NATO leadership.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticised the summit’s rhetoric, asserting that, despite new NATO weapons, Russia will continue its military campaign in Ukraine until its objectives are met. He urged a move toward political resolution while noting that NATO’s new offensive capabilities are unlikely to deter Russia’s global ambitions.
