Long-range strike capabilities are increasingly central to how European allies plan to deter threats and protect shared security interests. Governments are placing greater emphasis on systems that can reach high-value targets at distance and integrate with wider defence planning.
The Ministry of Defence has announced that the UK will spend over £400 million this financial year on hypersonic and long-range weapons projects, scaling up cooperation with France, Germany and Italy.
The announcement covers joint programmes with France and Italy and a separate long-range weapon effort with Germany, backed by funding for technology development, testing, and skills. Ministers say the investment is intended to strengthen UK and NATO deterrence while supporting high-skilled employment and collaboration ahead of discussions at the Munich Security Conference.
Introduction
The announcement sets out work underway with France and Italy on the Stratus joint missile programme and with Germany on a new long-range weapon system known as Deep Precision Strike. The Defence Secretary is also expected to discuss these projects and wider industrial cooperation in meetings at the Munich Security Conference.
UK Announces Major Long-Range Weapons Investment
The Ministry of Defence said the UK will spend over £400 million this financial year on hypersonic and long-range weapons programmes. It framed the funding as part of a wider effort to deepen industrial and capability cooperation with European allies.
The department said the work spans new long-range precision weapons and hypersonic capabilities, with programmes underway in partnership with France, Germany and Italy. Ministers said the investment is focused on delivering advanced systems while strengthening shared security through allied collaboration.
- Spending level this financial year
- Partnered programmes with European allies
- Combined focus on long-range precision and hypersonic weapons
Joint Missile Programmes with France and Italy
The Ministry of Defence said the UK is progressing the Stratus joint missile programme with France and Italy. It said the UK is leading work to develop a next-generation stealth replacement for the Storm Shadow missile.
The department said Stratus is developing both stealth and high-speed missile variants. It added that the programme already sustains over 1,300 high-skilled jobs in the UK and that the missiles are intended to defeat high-value targets, destroy enemy ships, and suppress enemy air defences.
Stratus Programme Summary
| Programme | Stratus joint missile programme |
| Partners | United Kingdom, France, Italy |
| Purpose stated | Next-generation stealth replacement for Storm Shadow |
| Variants mentioned | Stealth and high-speed |
| UK jobs | Over 1,300 high-skilled roles sustained |
UK–Germany Deep Precision Strike Programme
The Ministry of Defence said the UK’s long-range weapon programme with Germany is moving into a new joint study phase. It said this is intended to accelerate work on future stealth and hypersonic weapons.
The department said the effort follows the UK–Germany Trinity House Agreement signed in 2024. It described the new system, known as Deep Precision Strike, as having a range of over 2,000 km and said it is expected to enter service in the 2030s.
- New joint study phase with Germany
- Deep Precision Strike range over 2,000 km
- Expected service entry in the 2030s
Role of Hypersonic and Long-Range Capabilities
The Ministry of Defence said long-range weapons are intended to protect the UK and allies and to strengthen NATO deterrence. It linked the investment to a security environment shaped by the war in Ukraine and the impact of long-range precision weapons in modern conflict.
The department said UK Defence Intelligence assessed that Russia conducted a major strike on Ukraine in early February, involving long-range bombers, hypersonic missiles, ballistic and cruise missiles, and one-way attack drones. It said the UK’s long-range weapons programmes are part of efforts to deter threats and support allied security.
Defence Spending and Industrial Skills Support
The government said it has committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, reaching 2.6% of GDP from 2027. It positioned the long-range and hypersonic programmes within that wider defence investment approach.
The Ministry of Defence said hypersonic weapons investment this year includes funding to develop technologies, conduct ground and flight testing, and support academic skills and training. It said this includes funding for postgraduate study.
Hypersonic Investment Areas
| Technology development | Funding to develop critical technologies |
| Testing activity | Ground and flight testing support |
| Skills and training | Academic skills and training funding |
| Postgraduate support | Funding for postgraduate study |
Munich Security Conference Engagement
The Ministry of Defence said the Defence Secretary is expected to discuss the projects and deepening industrial cooperation with European and international allies at the Munich Security Conference. It said these discussions will take place during a series of bilateral meetings.
The department said the Defence Secretary is expected to speak with allies about boosting support for Ukraine, defending Europe against growing Russian threats, and enhancing industrial partnerships with key allies and partners. It framed the meetings as part of a wider effort to strengthen European defence cooperation.
Ministerial Comments
John Healey MP, Defence Secretary said;
“To meet this new era of rising threats, we need hard power, strong alliances and sure diplomacy. We can see from the war in Ukraine the decisive impact of long-range precision weapons, so the UK is stepping up, investing more than £400 million for long-range and hypersonic weapons this year.”
“Alongside Germany, France and Italy, we will deliver the cutting-edge weapons that will keep the UK and NATO safe, boost deterrence, and build a new deal for European security.”
Moving Forward
The Ministry of Defence said the UK will exceed £400 million in spending this financial year on hypersonic and long-range weapons programmes with France, Germany and Italy. It said work includes the Stratus missile programme and the Deep Precision Strike effort with Germany, alongside funding for testing and skills.
The Defence Secretary is expected to raise the programmes with allies at the Munich Security Conference in discussions on cooperation and support for Ukraine.
Sources: Ministry of Defence.
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.
