UK and France Enhance Missile Capabilities and Deepen Military and Nuclear Cooperation

(Patria) - The United Kingdom and France have agreed to order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles and accelerate work on developing a replacement system as part of a refreshed defence agreement.

The agreement commits the parties to launch the next phase of their joint project for deep-strike and anti-ship missiles, moving closer to selecting a final design to replace the Storm Shadow, Reuters reported.

This joint development effort will sustain 1,300 highly skilled jobs across the UK, while the modernisation of existing Storm Shadow production lines at manufacturer MBDA will support more than 300 jobs.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron also agreed to deepen nuclear cooperation. The newly signed declaration states for the first time that, although their nuclear deterrents remain independent, they can be coordinated, with both nations ready to respond to any extreme threat to Europe.

"From the war in Europe to new nuclear risks and daily cyber attacks, the threats we face are multiplying," Starmer said. "As close partners and allies in NATO, the UK and France have a long history of defence cooperation, and today's agreements take our partnership to a higher level."

Defence Secretary John Healey added that the partnership "strengthens our leadership in Europe, ensures continued support for Ukraine, and sends a clear signal to our adversaries that we are stronger, together."

The refreshed Lancaster House agreement includes several key partnerships beyond missile development. The two nations will jointly develop the next generation of beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles for Royal Air Force fighter jets and begin work on advanced weapons, including radio frequency weapons and jammers to counter threats such as drones and missiles.

They will also explore the use of artificial intelligence to enhance missile and drone capabilities by developing algorithms for synchronised strikes.
The agreement establishes an expanded joint military force focused on defending Europe. For the first time, these Combined Joint Forces will be able to command the Combined British/French Corps, integrating space and cyber capabilities to counter new threats.

Both countries confirmed their joint leadership of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of over thirty nations coordinating military support for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.