Keir Starmer leads European push for long-range missiles to strike deep behind enemy traces
At a Nato summit, Keir Starmer will unveil plans, alongside a dozen allies, to ramp up funding for new precision weapons that can hit targets up to 2,000km away with pinpoint accuracy
Keir Starmer will hold high-level talks on Ukraine, defence and wider security in what is set to be his final summit as Prime Minister(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The UK will lead a £37billion [$50bn] push to develop lethal long-range missiles that can strike deep behind enemy lines as the threat from Russia grows.
At a Nato summit in Turkey on Wednesday, Keir Starmer will unveil plans, alongside a dozen allies, to ramp up funding for new precision weapons that can hit targets up to 2,000km away with pinpoint accuracy.
Mr Starmer will hold high-level talks on Ukraine, defence and wider security in what is set to be his final summit as Prime Minister, before he hands over power to Andy Burnham on July 20.
European leaders are stepping up efforts to re-arm after intense pressure from Donald Trump, who has accused countries of “freeloading” off America for the continent’s defence.
Mr Trump arrived in the Turkish capital on Tuesday night, where allies are braced for blowback over defence spending and failure to join his war with Iran.
Nato countries are battling to keep Mr Trump engaged in the defensive alliance, last year committing to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035 in a bid to appease him.
Downing Street is braced for possible criticism over the UK’s defence investment plan, which failed to set out details of how Britain could hit the target.
The US President continues to float pulling US troops and funding out of Europe as he shifts his gaze to China and the Indo Pacific. There are also fears the US is no longer able to provide the weapons it promised to Nato counties as war in Iran depletes its stockpiles.
Washington appears to have gone cold on a Joe Biden-era plan to send Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany, while shipments of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles have been delayed or cancelled as the US ramped up use in during its war with Iran.
With American support shakier than it has been in decades, Britain and its allies are under pressure to plug the gaps as the threat from Russia grows.
Long-range missiles have proved pivotal to Ukraine defence, allowing Kyiv to degrade forces behind the frontline and to hit targets like logistics hubs in to undermine Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
The UK will join the Precision Strike Missile programme with the US and Australia, equipping the British Army with a supersonic ballistic missile capable of hitting targets up to 500km away.
The UK has already teamed up with Germany to accelerate both stealth and hypersonic missiles with a range of 2,000 km by the 2030s.
It is also working with France and Italy on a successor to the storm shadow missile that will be able to destroy enemy ships and air defences.
Announcing the new project, the PM said: “I am determined to ensure the safety of the UK and our Allies and to do that, we must step up to deliver a stronger, more European NATO.
“The UK is already working with partners to develop exquisite capability that will give our Armed Forces the ability to defend and deter thousands of kilometres from the front line, but 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.
“We must continue to work together as Allies to develop the capability of the future to bolster security and protect growth at home.”
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said: “We are building the weapons of the future to keep the UK and NATO secure for decades to come, backed by billions of pounds and working with our closest European allies.
“Our new suite of deep precision strike weapons will give our forces the ability to strike targets hundreds of kilometres away with great accuracy – strengthening NATO and deterring our adversaries.
“Our £298 billion investment in defence over the next four years is boosting readiness and ensuring our people have the kit and technology they need.”
The PM will use the summit to warn of the massive threat posed by Russia, as military activity around UK waters has surged by 30% over the past two years.
Nato fighter jets have been scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft nearing its airspace more than 700 times in the same period. Mr Starmer will stress the UK will be ready to defend its allies.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “With deep precision strike capability, the UK and our allies will be able to hit high value military targets and the logistical engines that drive armies, deterring any aggressor and strengthening our mutual security
“At Ankara we are sending a clear message to President Putin; NATO is stronger, more European and ready to defend our citizens against the long-term threat posed by him and the Russian state.”
In another bid to show the US that Britain is stepping up, Lt Gen Nick Perry will take up the post of Commander Joint Force Command Norfolk in September 2026, the first British officer to be appointed to the role.
Based in the United States, JFC Norfolk commands NATO operations for the Atlantic, UK, High North and northern Europe.
