Twelve Nato members, including the UK, have announced their intention to invest more than £37 billion over the next decade in a new long-range missile project. This ambitious initiative, named the Deep Precision Strike project, aims to enhance Europe’s security. The plan was recently unveiled by the UK government and will be discussed further at the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey. This summit holds special significance as it marks the final one for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who will host discussions with leaders from around a dozen countries to advance the missile programme.
The missile is designed to accurately target sites up to 300km away, and there are future plans to extend its reach to as much as 1,250 miles. Sir Keir has stated that this UK-led initiative will not only increase Nato's military capabilities but unite European allies, ensuring Nato's safety for years to come. According to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, the development is essential due to an increasingly dangerous world, strengthening Nato's role.
Critics, such as US President Donald Trump, have voiced concerns over the lack of a detailed plan to raise defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035. Trump's reminders for increased contribution underlined last year’s agreement, where Nato members committed to spending 5% of GDP on defence by 2035. Yet, Sir Keir remains focused, highlighting the urgent need for unity, especially given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Nato's strategic readiness against Russian threats.
Ukraine, engaged in active conflict with Russia since its invasion in 2022, has requested crucial air defence systems. Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasized the role of long-range systems on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Russia continues monitoring Nato’s activities, as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed a preference for diplomatic conflict resolution but noted the confrontational statements from Nato.