Ten European nations established an Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition on 13 July 2026 to develop shared defensive capabilities against future ballistic missile threats.
The founding members are Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Their joint declaration was published by 10 Downing Street following an agreement between the participating leaders.
The coalition will develop an integrated European missile defence architecture through a Flagship Project focused on anti-ballistic capability. Members plan to establish common operational requirements, technical working groups, governance mechanisms and a roadmap towards initial operational capabilities.
Ten Nations Establish Missile Defence Coalition
The founding governments said the coalition responds to the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles and the increasing importance of defensive capabilities across Europe. They described the initiative as purely defensive and intended to deter and defeat future missile threats.
The declaration creates a multinational framework for coordinating capability development while participating countries retain their existing national systems and responsibilities.
- Founding membership: Ten European nations have joined the coalition at its establishment.
- Defensive purpose: The initiative is intended to deter and defeat future ballistic missile threats.
- Open participation: Other nations supporting the coalition’s principles and objectives may join.
Integrated European Missile Defence Architecture
The founding leaders said protecting Europe requires a “global solution” based on an integrated missile defence architecture capable of deterring and defeating future missile threats. The planned capability would complement existing ballistic missile defence systems, including sovereign European systems already acquired or expected to be acquired by participating countries.
Development will draw on the combined defence industries, research capacity and operational experience of coalition members. The declaration also identifies technological openness and trusted industrial cooperation as principles for the shared programme.
Operational Requirements and Technical Cooperation
Participating countries intend to establish common operational requirements and joint technical working groups. These arrangements will support the preparation of technical priorities and coordination between governments, defence organisations and relevant industrial partners.
The coalition aims to establish clear governance mechanisms and prepare a roadmap towards its first operational capabilities. The declaration does not provide a deployment date or identify the specific missile defence systems that will form the future architecture.
Missile Defence Coalition Development Framework
| Work Area | Planned Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Operations | Set common requirements | Align capability needs |
| Technical work | Form joint groups | Coordinate development |
| Governance | Create shared mechanisms | Oversee coalition activity |
| Capability planning | Prepare a roadmap | Guide operational delivery |
Flagship Project Will Coordinate Research and Development
The founding countries will seek to support joint research and development activities under the Flagship Project, including by exploring appropriate funding opportunities. The declaration does not establish a dedicated funding mechanism.
Members also intend to promote enhanced data and information exchange. Cooperation will remain subject to each country’s constitutional arrangements and international obligations.
- Research: Members will pursue joint development activities through the Flagship Project.
- Funding: Participating governments will examine appropriate opportunities to support the work.
- Information exchange: The coalition will promote stronger data sharing between its members.
Ukraine’s Operational Experience
The founding leaders specifically acknowledged Ukraine’s unique operational experience gained while defending against Russia’s war of aggression. Ukraine’s participation brings experience from an active and sustained missile defence environment into the coalition’s shared capability work.
The declaration does not assign Ukraine a separate formal role within the coalition. Its experience is recognised as part of the combined operational knowledge available to the participating nations.
Coalition Remains Open to Additional Members
The coalition remains open to other countries that share its principles and objectives. The founding declaration does not identify prospective additional members or set a timetable for expanding participation.
No individual national procurement commitments are announced through the declaration. The initial framework instead focuses on common requirements, technical cooperation, governance, research and the development of a roadmap towards operational capability.
Stakeholder Comments
Leaders of the ten founding nations, Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition said;
“We do this not against any people, but in defence of our own.”
The Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition begins a multinational process for developing a shared European defensive capability. Its ten founding members will work through a Flagship Project to define operational requirements, establish technical and governance structures, support joint research and strengthen information exchange. The declaration does not yet identify specific systems, national procurement commitments or a timetable for the coalition’s first operational capabilities.
Sources: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
