Britain, France, Germany and several other European countries will invest more than $50 billion over the next decade to develop long-range precision strike weapons, in a major effort to strengthen NATO's military capabilities and reduce reliance on the United States.
The British government announced on Wednesday that the new programme will focus on developing advanced weapons capable of accurately striking targets at distances of at least 300 kilometres (186 miles), with some systems expected to have ranges exceeding 2,000 kilometres.
The initiative will be developed without U.S. involvement and is intended to enhance Europe's ability to deter potential threats while reinforcing NATO's collective defence posture.
Outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the project would deepen military cooperation among European allies and ensure the alliance remains prepared for future security challenges.
“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,” Starmer said in a statement.
The announcement comes as NATO leaders gather in Ankara for the alliance's summit, where defence spending and military readiness are expected to dominate discussions.
Starmer is scheduled to present the British-led proposal to allied leaders on Wednesday as European governments continue efforts to expand defence capabilities amid growing security concerns.
The programme marks one of the largest collaborative European defence investments in recent years and reflects a broader trend among NATO members to increase military spending, modernise weapons systems and strengthen the alliance's deterrence capabilities.
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