ANKARA, Turkey — A coalition of 12 European partner nations, led by the UK, have committed to spending $50 billion over the next decade to develop new deep precision strike capabilities, aimed at strengthening NATO deterrence.
The effort, dubbed the Deep Precision Strike Capability Investment Initiative, was launched on Wednesday as outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with other coalition members at the NATO Summit here in Ankara. The British Ministry of Defence said at the time the new initiative sits as “further evidence” of allies “stepping up to ensure a stronger, more European” alliance.
It added that the multibillion, long-range strike package package is set to deliver the “most advanced weapons NATO will have at its disposal in the future — with the ability to strike targets no less than 300km [186 miles] away and in some cases beyond 2000km, with pinpoint accuracy.”
Beyond the UK, the countries involved are: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. In a joint statement the coalition linked its existence to America’s shifting position in European defense.
“In particular, we recognise the need to increase our Deep Precision Strike (DPS) capabilities, including in response to recent US force adjustments,” the nations said. “These capabilities form an integral part of NATO’s defence plans. In order to deter, we recognise the need to demonstrate strength through credible capabilities such as DPS which centres on defending and denying an adversary military advantage.”
