European NATO countries, plus Canada, attending the alliance's annual summit in Turkey agreed Wednesday to spend $50 billion over the next 10 years to develep new ground-based "deep precision strike capabilities" as part of a drive to take over responsbility from the United States for their own defense. Photo by Turkish Presidency Office/UPI | License Photo
July 8 (UPI) -- NATO countries in Europe, plus Canada, agreed Wednesday to jointly spend $50 billion over the coming decade on developing new ground-based "deep precision strike capabilities," including an advanced missile with a 1,250 mile range to defend the continent and beyond.
Launched by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the NATO Summit in Ankara, the project brings together Britain, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Greece, Czechia, Slovakia, Turkey and Canada, Downing Street said in a news release.
The initiative was, Britain said, proof that allies were taking action to strengthen Europe's ability to defend by "radically boosting NATO's defense and deterrence capabilities" and ensuring a "more European NATO."
"We must step up to deliver a stronger, more European NATO. The U.K.is already working with partners to develop exquisite capability that will give our Armed Forces the ability to defend and deter thousands of kilometres from the front line, but this U.K.-led initiative will allow us to step up our cooperation, bringing European Allies together to ensure NATO remains safe and secure for years to come," said Starmer.
