Media: UK, Germany plan long-range missile to boost Europe’s defence

Britain and Germany are expanding defence cooperation through a joint long-range missile programme aimed at strengthening Europe's defence capabilities against Russia, according to a report by The Telegraph.

The proposed Deep Precision Strike (DPS) missile is expected to have a range of more than 1,243 miles (2,000 km) and is intended to provide the capability to strike strategic targets at long range. According to the report, London and Berlin aim to have the system operational by 2034.

The £30 billion programme was announced as a British-led initiative involving 12 allied countries at the NATO summit in Ankara in July 2026, with Germany expected to play a major role.

According to defence industry sources cited by The Telegraph, the project is likely to combine German funding with British technological expertise, following the model of recent German-backed investments in defence manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom.

The report said the missile programme has become a central element of a broader expansion in UK-German defence cooperation under the Trinity House and Kensington agreements. Other joint initiatives reportedly include the development of maritime drones to protect British waters, expanded artillery production facilities and new armoured vehicle projects.

Sources familiar with Britain's defence strategy told The Telegraph that London now sees Germany as an increasingly important defence partner, reflecting Berlin's plans to strengthen its conventional military capabilities.

One UK security source said, “The UK for some years wanted Germany to play a role on defence that it just couldn’t politically, but now that’s changed there is an enormous sense of opportunity.”

Another source said, “Will there be a golden age? There’s certainly interest on both sides,” adding that a “renewed push” was expected to deepen bilateral defence cooperation under British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

According to the report, officials in both countries also view the programme as part of a broader effort to reduce Europe's dependence on US military support, although they believe development should be accelerated as the current timeline would not see the project completed for another eight years.

By Sabina Mammadli