Europe’s biggest military powers are done waiting by the phone. The UK, France, and Germany are spearheading a NATO initiative tied to at least $50 billion in defense procurement as they race to develop long-range strike weapons without relying on the United States.
The effort centers on the European Long-Range Strike Approach, known as ELSA, which aims to build ground-launched missiles capable of hitting targets between 500 and 2,000 kilometers away.
What’s actually happening
ELSA launched in 2024 with the UK, France, and Germany as its founding pillars. The initiative has since expanded to include Italy, Poland, and Sweden, with formal agreements on technical requirements signed in June 2026.
The broader context here is the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, scheduled for July 2026. Arms deals associated with that summit are estimated at a minimum of $50 billion, covering everything from surveillance drones to early-warning aircraft from defense contractors like Northrop Grumman and Saab.
