NATO Allies Unveil £37bn Long-Range Missile Project to Counter Russia

Twelve NATO member states, including the United Kingdom, have agreed to invest more than £37 billion ($50 billion) over the next decade in a new long-range missile programme designed to strengthen Europe's collective defence capabilities against emerging security threats, particularly from Russia.

The initiative, known as the Deep Precision Strike Project, was unveiled ahead of Wednesday's NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where allied leaders are expected to discuss the programme as part of broader efforts to modernise the alliance's military capabilities.

The UK is spearheading the project, which aims to develop one of NATO's most advanced precision-strike weapons. The missile is expected to hit targets up to 200 miles (300 kilometres) away with high accuracy, with the potential for future variants capable of striking targets as far as 1,250 miles.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the programme as a major step towards strengthening Europe's security architecture.

He said the initiative would "help bring European allies together to keep NATO safe for years to come."

The summit in Ankara is expected to be Starmer's final NATO gathering as British prime minister.

The project comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over Russia's military posture and increasing calls by the United States for European allies to shoulder a greater share of the alliance's defence burden.

Pressure over defence spending

Despite backing the missile initiative, Starmer is expected to face questions from US President Donald Trump over Britain's failure to publish a clear roadmap for increasing defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035.

At last year's NATO summit, nearly all alliance members agreed to work towards spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence and security by 2035, reflecting growing concerns over Europe's security environment.

The UK government has already committed approximately £300 billion under its Defence Investment Plan through 2030.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the latest missile initiative reflects the changing global security landscape.

"This is part of a recognition that we're in a more dangerous world," she said.

"It's about making sure we have a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO."

However, officials acknowledged that the Deep Precision Strike system is unlikely to become operational until the 2030s, making it a long-term investment rather than an immediate military capability.

Russia remains central concern

Starmer is also expected to use the summit to highlight what the British government describes as the growing threat posed by Russia.

According to the UK government, NATO fighter aircraft have been scrambled more than 700 times to intercept Russian military aircraft approaching allied airspace, while Russian military activity around British waters has increased by about 30 per cent.

The British prime minister is expected to tell allies that although NATO does not seek confrontation with Russia, it must remain prepared to defend every member state.

Cooper said the long-range missile capability would enable NATO forces to strike key military targets and logistics infrastructure deep behind enemy lines if necessary.

She added that the project sends "a clear message" to Russian President Vladimir Putin that NATO remains united and prepared to defend its members against long-term security threats.

Ukraine urges continued military support

The summit also comes as Ukraine presses allies for additional military assistance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged NATO members to provide more air defence systems to help protect Ukrainian cities from intensified Russian missile and drone attacks.

Ukraine has simultaneously expanded its own long-range strike campaign against Russian military infrastructure, targeting logistics hubs, oil refineries and strategic facilities inside Russia.

British officials argued that Ukraine's use of long-range weapons has demonstrated how precision-strike capabilities can significantly weaken an opponent's ability to sustain military operations.

Russia dismisses NATO plans

The Kremlin said it would closely monitor developments at the Ankara summit.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov maintained that additional Western weapons would not prevent Russia from pursuing its military objectives in Ukraine.

He criticised what he described as the confrontational tone adopted by NATO leaders but added that Moscow still considered a political and diplomatic settlement to the conflict preferable.