Britain plans to develop a new generation of "deep strike" missiles with a potential range of 1,500 miles, capable of hitting targets within Russia, including Moscow. The announcement comes as the UK prepares to launch the initiative with a dozen NATO allies.
Sir Keir Starmer is set to unveil the plans on Wednesday, framing the £40 billion missile project as a critical measure to deter Russian aggression. These "Deep Precision Strike" missiles are designed for pinpoint accuracy and could be used for pre-emptive strikes against military targets deep within enemy territory. For the first time, such conventional missiles fired from the UK could reach the Kremlin. The projected range is four times that of the UK's current Storm Shadow missiles, which are being utilized by Ukraine.
The initiative is being launched amid growing concerns among European leaders about potential reductions in U.S. support for NATO under President Donald Trump. Sir Keir emphasized the need for European nations to collaborate and "step up to deliver a stronger, more European Nato."
However, defense experts have cautioned about the urgency of preparing Britain's military. Sir Richard Barrons and Lord Robertson, authors of a defense plan previously deemed unaffordable by Downing Street, have warned that "the world is on fire now" and that delays in defense spending leave the UK vulnerable to Russian attack. They noted that the timeline for readiness is dictated by Russia and potentially influenced by the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, with some credible projections suggesting a need for preparedness by 2030 or sooner.
The Prime Minister's attendance at a NATO summit in Ankara also included informal discussions with Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store, where the two leaders engaged in lighthearted conversation about England's World Cup quarter-final match. The conversation touched on past football encounters and national pride, with Sir Keir referencing England's 1966 World Cup victory under a Labour government.