ANKARA, Turkey \u2014 A coalition of 12 European partner nations, led by the UK, have committed to spending $50 billion over the next decade to develop new deep precision strike capabilities, aimed at strengthening NATO deterrence.<\/p>\n
The effort, dubbed the Deep Precision Strike Capability Investment Initiative, was launched on Wednesday as outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with other coalition members at the NATO Summit here in Ankara. The British Ministry of Defence said at the time<\/a> the new initiative sits as \u201cfurther evidence\u201d of allies \u201cstepping up<\/a> to ensure a stronger, more European\u201d alliance.<\/p>\n It added that the multibillion, long-range strike package package is set to deliver the \u201cmost advanced weapons NATO will have at its disposal in the future \u2014 with the ability to strike targets no less than 300km [186 miles] away and in some cases beyond 2000km, with pinpoint accuracy.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond the UK, the countries involved are: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. In a joint statement<\/a> the coalition linked its existence to America\u2019s shifting position in European defense.<\/p>\n \u201cIn particular, we recognise the need to increase our Deep Precision Strike (DPS) capabilities, including in response to recent US force adjustments,\u201d the nations said. \u201cThese capabilities form an integral part of NATO\u2019s defence plans. In order to deter, we recognise the need to demonstrate strength through credible capabilities such as DPS which centres on defending and denying an adversary military advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n Dubbing the level of investment \u201cserious money\u201d on social media, European missile analyst Fabian Hoffman still warned that \u201cEurope needs to start producing missiles, not headlines. I\u2019ll wait until orders are placed and timelines are known before getting enthusiastic.\u201d<\/p>\n A ministry spokesperson told Breaking Defense that the funding will support a \u201crange\u201d of deep precision strike weapons, adding that at a national level, the UK has committed \u00a33 billion ($4 billion) over the next four years, to fund national long-range munitions projects under the recently announced Defence Investment Plan (DIP).<\/p>\n Big ticket projects that Britain is pursuing with European partners include Stratus, a future cruise missile under development with partners France and Italy to replace MBDA-made Storm Shadow<\/a> weaponry. As noted in the statement, two variants of Stratus are planned: one a stealth based derivative, the other a high-speed design. Once operational, they are envisioned as being capable of destroying enemy ships and air defenses.<\/p>\n Separately, the UK is working with Germany on the Deep Precision Strike program to deliver stealth and hypersonic weapons capable of striking targets at a range of over 2,000km, with entry to service slated for the 2030s. Though primarily focused on ground-launched capabilities, the effort will \u201cexplore\u201d air and naval designs.<\/p>\n