Sir Keir Starmer handed a personalised revolver with live ammunition by the Turkish president at his final Nato summit, as allies announced a £37bn missile project and the prime minister prepared to hand over to his likely successor, Andy Burnham. It is a moment that captures the shifting landscape of European defence and the UK's place in it.
Starmer is leaving Downing Street after announcing his resignation as Labour leader last month. Andy Burnham, currently the only candidate in the race, could become prime minister on 20 July. At the Nato summit in Ankara, Starmer convened around a dozen leaders to discuss the Deep Precision Strike project, a UK-led initiative billed as one of Nato's most advanced weapons. The 12 countries, including the UK, will spend more than £37bn ($50bn) over 10 years on long-range missiles designed to strike targets nearly 200 miles away, possibly extending to 1,250 miles, with pinpoint accuracy. The system is not expected to be ready until the 2030s.
“Explains the end of Starmer's premiership, Nato's new missile project, and the UK-US relationship”
The summit comes at a time of tension within the alliance over defence spending. At last year's Nato summit, members agreed to spend 5% of GDP on defence and security by 2035. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressed European allies to contribute more. Starmer, who developed a positive relationship with Trump early in his premiership but was later mocked by the US president as "no Winston Churchill" during a row over UK bases, has stressed the importance of the strategic alliance. Trump wished him well in Ankara, and Starmer said they would stay in touch. The UK government has already committed £300bn by 2030 in its Defence Investment Plan.
The backdrop is a heightened threat from Russia. The government said Nato had scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian aircraft approaching allied airspace more than 700 times, and that Russian military activity around UK waters had surged by 30%.
Why it matters for UK readers The outcome of the leadership contest will shape the UK's approach to defence and foreign policy. Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, has secured overwhelming backing from London Labour MPs, suggesting a smooth transition. But Starmer's departure removes a figure who built a working relationship with Trump, even if it soured. The new prime minister will inherit a commitment to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, and the Deep Precision Strike project will require sustained investment. The US review of its forces in Europe, announced by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in June, adds further uncertainty. For the UK, maintaining the "special relationship" with Washington while strengthening European defence within Nato is a delicate balance.
Q: Who is Andy Burnham? Andy Burnham is the Labour MP and Mayor of Greater Manchester who is the only candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister. He could become prime minister on 20 July after securing nominations from a majority of Labour MPs, including 43 London MPs.
Q: What is the Deep Precision Strike project? It is a £37bn Nato project, led by the UK, to develop long-range missiles that can strike targets up to 1,250 miles away with high accuracy. Twelve allied countries are involved, and the system is expected to be operational in the 2030s.
Q: Why is the UK-US relationship important for defence? The UK and US cooperate "24/7" on defence and security matters, as Starmer noted. The relationship is crucial for intelligence sharing, military interoperability, and Nato's collective deterrence. Trump's criticism of European defence spending and his push for members to meet the 5% GDP target make the relationship both vital and contested.
What happens next Andy Burnham is expected to become prime minister on 20 July. The Deep Precision Strike project will be developed over the coming decade, with discussions continuing among allies. Meanwhile, the US is conducting a six-month review of its forces in Europe, and Trump continues to press Nato members to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
