UK and France to boost missile capabilities with Storm Shadow order

Investing.com -- Britain and France have agreed to order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles and accelerate work on developing a replacement system as part of a refreshed defense agreement.

The agreement commits both nations to launch the next phase of their joint project for deep strike and anti-ship missiles, moving closer to selecting a final design for Storm Shadow’s replacement.

This joint development effort will sustain 1,300 highly skilled jobs across the UK, while upgrading 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. A newly signed declaration states for the first time that while their nuclear deterrents remain independent, they can be coordinated, with both nations prepared to respond to any extreme threat to Europe.

"From war in Europe, to new nuclear risks and daily cyber-attacks – the threats we face are multiplying," said Starmer. "As close partners and NATO allies, the UK and France have a deep history of defence collaboration and today’s agreements take our partnership to the next 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 stand 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 the Royal Air Force’s fighter jets and begin work on advanced weapons including radiofrequency weapons and jammers to counter threats like drones and missiles.

They will also explore using AI to enhance missile and drone capabilities by developing algorithms for synchronized strikes.

The agreement establishes an expanded jointly deployable military force focused on defending Europe. For the first time, this Combined Joint Force will be able to command a Combined UK/French Corps, integrating space and cyber capabilities to counter new threats.

Both countries reaffirmed their joint leadership of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of over 30 nations coordinating military support for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.

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