Arabic version: حلفاء الناتو يلتزمون بـ 37 مليار جنيه إسترليني لنظام دفاع صاروخي متقدم

Twelve countries, including the UK, are set to spend more than £37bn ($50bn) over the next ten years on a new long-range missile to protect Europe. The Deep Precision Strike project has just been unveiled by Number 10 and is due to be discussed later on Wednesday at the Nato summit in the Turkish capital, Ankara.

According to BBC News, the missile system is intended to strike targets nearly 200 miles (300 km) away with pinpoint accuracy, possibly extending out to 1,250 miles. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized that the project will help bring European allies together to keep Nato safe for years to come.

While the project is billed as one of Nato’s most advanced weapons, it is not expected to be ready until the 2030s. The UK government has already committed £300bn by 2030 in the Defence Investment Plan.

At the summit, Starmer is expected to underline the threat posed by Russia to the UK and Nato, citing increased military activity around UK waters and the need for a robust response to any aggression. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted that with deep precision strike capability, the UK and its allies will be able to hit high-value military targets, thereby enhancing mutual security.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also addressed the summit, urging allies to deliver essential air defense systems in light of escalating Russian attacks. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia would closely monitor developments from the summit, reiterating its position on pursuing political solutions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.