The UK and Germany have launched a major joint defence initiative to create a cutting-edge long-range precision strike missile, designed to reach targets over 2,000 kilometres away.
Defence experts see the move as both a powerful message to potential threats and a clear step forward in strengthening the security partnership between the two nations.
“It is a marriage of convenience and capability. Britain brings experience and technology, Germany brings funding and industrial depth. Together, they can build something that will make NATO stronger,” said General Sir Richard Barrons, Universal Defence and Security Solutions Co-Chair.
In a major step toward deeper European defence integration, the United Kingdom and Germany have formally announced a joint programme to co-develop a new long-range precision strike missile. The simultaneous declarations from the UK Ministry of Defence and Germany’s Bundesministerium der Verteidigung confirm that both countries are working together to bridge a critical capability gap in Europe’s ability to project force over extended distances.
The proposed “deep precision strike” weapon will be capable of targeting threats over 2,000 kilometres away, making it one of the most strategically significant European defence initiatives in decades. The missile is still in its early development phase, but its potential impact is already being described as transformational.
Filling a Critical Gap in European Defence
This missile system is intended to address pressing security concerns in the wake of Russian aggression in Ukraine, the spread of Iranian missile technologies, and growing recognition that European forces lack sufficient long-range deterrents.
“This isn’t just about preparing for future conflicts,” said a UK official involved in the project. “It’s about having the tools to shape those conflicts before they escalate. We’re designing a missile that can strike deep, hard targets with absolute precision.”
A Strategic Realignment in European Defence
The joint UK-Germany missile project is seen as a response to an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment, particularly since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The continued militarisation of Kaliningrad, Belarus, and the Arctic has further fuelled urgency across Europe to strengthen collective capabilities.
While the UK already fields the Storm Shadow cruise missile, which has been deployed in Libya, Syria, and Ukraine, Germany’s long-range strike capabilities have remained limited due to post-WWII defence constraints. However, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany is undergoing a strategic pivot. Merz has declared his intention to build Europe’s most capable conventional army and to take on a leadership role in continental defence.
For the UK, this collaboration reinforces its relevance in European security post-Brexit and aligns with its “Global Britain” strategy, which emphasises advanced capabilities and forward military presence.
What We Know So Far: Features and Industrial Partners
Although exact specifications remain under wraps, insiders suggest the new missile will integrate stealth features, high-precision guidance systems, and modular warheads. It is expected to target hardened military infrastructure, command centres, and mobile assets protected by air defences.
Leading British defence contractor BAE Systems and Germany’s MBDA Deutschland are set to play central roles in the programme. There is also speculation about additional contributions from Rheinmetall and Rolls-Royce, particularly around propulsion and system integration.
The programme faces known challenges, including high costs, complex technology requirements, and timelines. Similar efforts by France and the United States have faced delays, underlining the complexity of developing reliable long-range hypersonic or precision strike systems.
Overcoming Political and Operational Hurdles
Another potential challenge lies in harmonising British and German operational doctrines. The UK traditionally adopts a more permissive stance on military engagement, while Germany’s approach is shaped by strong parliamentary oversight and public sensitivity around the use of force.
Despite these differences, both governments have emphasised their alignment on strategic priorities. A joint statement highlighted the importance of “shared democratic values, operational complementarity, and an urgent need for credible deterrence.”
The Future of European Strategic Autonomy
This new initiative reflects a broader trend in Europe’s defence posture. As doubts grow over long-term U.S. commitment to NATO—especially with renewed political uncertainty in Washington—European countries are taking more responsibility for their own security.
The UK-Germany missile project is more than a weapons programme; it is a signal of Europe’s readiness to develop sovereign capabilities. Long dominated by American defence assets, the realm of long-range strike is now being reshaped by European ambition and cooperation.
A senior British military leader summed it up: “When you can hit targets 2,000km away, you don’t just participate in war—you shape it. That’s the kind of power Europe needs in today’s world.”
This article originally appeared in EU Today.
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