France seeks to join a joint German-British plan to develop new long-range precision strike missiles, capable of travelling over 2,000 kilometers. Talks for this collaboration are set for early June, according to the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). This move could establish a unified European capability, enhancing strategic autonomy.
European nations are individually investing heavily in diverse long-range missile systems. However, they are also seeking to pool resources into a unified, high-range ground-launched project. This creates tension between national interests and collective defense.
The fragmented but increasingly capable European long-range strike landscape appears likely to consolidate around a few key joint projects. This could lead to a more robust, yet nationally diverse, European defense posture. Such consolidation signals a strategic adaptation to evolving threats.
Goals for the Joint Missile Project
The Deep Precision Strike missiles under discussion will travel over 2,000 kilometers. This ambitious range, reported by Il Sole 24 ORE, points to a shared strategic vision for a unified, high-range ground-launched deterrent. Such capability could significantly extend Europe's conventional deterrence.
Europe's Varied Missile Programs
European missile manufacturer Destinus is advancing its cruise missile program with the Ruta Block 3. This air-launched cruise missile features a 2,000 km range and a 250 kg payload, with flight testing expected in 2027, according to the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). Concurrently, MBDA's Land Cruise Missile, a ground-launched adaptation, offers a range of around 1,300 km and a 300 kg payload, anticipated to be ready for order in 2029. These distinct programs, one air-launched and one ground-launched, demonstrate Europe's multi-faceted approach to developing long-range capabilities, even as joint initiatives are pursued.
The existence of these parallel national and corporate initiatives points to a widespread, urgent drive for long-range strike capabilities across Europe, even as joint programs emerge. France's eleventh-hour bid to join the Anglo-German missile project, while other European nations fund separate, overlapping long-range missile programs, reveals a fragmented defense industrial base. This fragmentation actively undermines Europe's pursuit of genuine strategic autonomy.
Germany's Broader Missile Investments
Germany signed a follow-on contract worth approximately $378 million for additional Joint Strike Missiles from Kongsberg, an external supplier. This procurement, even from non-European sources, shows Germany's immediate national needs can run parallel to long-term European integration efforts, according to the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). Germany's sustained investment in existing strike missiles indicates a multi-faceted approach to bolstering defense capabilities.
The pursuit of a 2,000 km ground-launched missile alongside existing and developing shorter-range European systems suggests that Europe is prioritizing extended reach capabilities. This likely responds to evolving threats, even if it means duplicating efforts and delaying true integration.
Future European Defense Spending
The UK is increasing defense spending to 2.6% of GDP from 2027. This rise in spending shows a long-term commitment by key European players to enhance defense capabilities, supporting future joint ventures. Such financial commitments are vital for sustaining ambitious multinational projects.
If European nations can effectively reconcile national defense priorities with the imperative for collective security, the continent's long-range strike capabilities will likely evolve into a more integrated, yet still diverse, strategic asset.
