A £37bn plan to build one of Nato’s most advanced long-range missiles has been unveiled by Downing Street as Sir Keir Starmer arrives in Ankara for what is expected to be his final Nato summit as prime minister. Twelve countries, including the UK, will spend more than £37bn ($50bn) over the next decade on the Deep Precision Strike project, a weapon designed to strike targets nearly 200 miles away with pinpoint accuracy — with the potential to extend its range to 1,250 miles.
The prime minister will convene roughly a dozen leaders on Wednesday to discuss the programme, which is not expected to be ready until the 2030s. Billed as one of Nato’s most ambitious weapons, the missile is intended to hit high-value military targets and the logistical engines that drive armies, deterring any aggressor.
“Twelve Nato allies, led by the UK, commit £37bn to a new long-range missile project.”
Sir Keir said the UK-led initiative would “help bring European allies together to keep Nato safe for years to come”. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who is also in the Turkish capital, told BBC Breakfast that the plan was “part of a recognition that we’re in a more dangerous world”. She added: “This is about how we make sure we have a stronger Europe within a stronger Nato.”
The project comes as US President Donald Trump looms large over the summit, having repeatedly pressed Nato members to increase their defence spending. At last year’s Nato summit, alliance members agreed to spend 5% of GDP on defence and security by 2035. Sir Keir is likely to face criticism from Trump for failing to set out a plan to reach 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035. The UK government has already committed £300bn by 2030 in its Defence Investment Plan.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of the presence of US forces in Europe in June, adding to the pressure on European allies to shoulder more of the burden. Sir Keir said he was “determined” to ensure the safety of the UK and its allies, adding: “We must step up to deliver a stronger, more European Nato.”
At the summit, the prime minister is expected to underline the threat posed by Russia. The government said Nato had scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian aircraft approaching allied airspace more than 700 times, while Russian military activity around UK waters had surged by 30%. Sir Keir is expected to stress that, although Nato does not seek confrontation with Russia, it must be ready to defend every ally.
Cooper described the Deep Precision Strike capability as a way to deter any aggressor and strengthen mutual security. The project is intended to be a centrepiece of the UK’s push for a more self-reliant European defence pillar within Nato, even as questions remain over whether allies will meet their spending targets in time.
