In the wake of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the UK has announced its participation in the European Long-range Strike Approach program, joining forces with France, Germany, Italy, and Poland to develop cutting-edge long-range missiles. This move is seen as a direct response to the military inventory gap exposed by the conflict, emphasizing the need for enhanced defensive capabilities within Europe.
The development of these missiles is expected to play a crucial role in bolstering European defense by the 2030s. This initiative comes at a time when the US and Germany have agreed to temporarily deploy US long-range missiles on German soil starting in 2026, a move condemned by Moscow as a “very serious threat” to Russian national security. This temporary deployment is seen as a bridge until Europe develops its own long-range missile capabilities.
The UK’s involvement in the European program is a clear demonstration of its commitment to NATO and collective defense, aligning with its “NATO-first” policy. “We are making a UK commitment to the long-range missile programme, a formal commitment alongside Germany, France, Poland and a couple of others,” stated Defence Secretary John Healey, on the sidelines of a meeting with his NATO counterparts in Brussels.
While Healey did not disclose specific details about the range or characteristics of the planned weapon, he emphasized that these were under discussion. “This is long-range compared to the capabilities that many of us already have and are able to use,” he told reporters, adding that the development was also part of a broader NATO effort to strengthen its deterrence posture and protect Europe.
The impetus for developing long-range missiles has gained momentum since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as both Moscow and Kyiv have engaged in cross-border strikes. The renewed interest in long-range weaponry is evident in the fact that France, Germany, Italy, and Poland signed a letter of intent at the NATO summit in Washington in July 2023 to develop missiles with a range exceeding 500 km.
The new ground-based cruise missile, expected to have a range of 1,000 to 2,000 km, aims to meet NATO’s evolving requirements for long-range strike capabilities. Europe currently possesses a stock of cruise missiles launched by fighter jets, such as Britain’s Storm Shadow, France’s Scalp, and Germany’s Taurus, with a range of approximately 500 km. However, the development of new long-range missiles signifies a shift toward enhancing European defensive capabilities in response to the changing security landscape.
