UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect European skies

A New Era for European Air Defence

On 20 February 2026, the UK and its European Group of Five (E5) partners—France, Germany, Italy, and Poland—announced the LEAP (Low-Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms) initiative. This multinational programme aims to develop low-cost, advanced air defence systems, including autonomous drones and missiles, to protect NATO skies from evolving threats.

• First Project: A surface-to-air weapon designed to counter drones and missiles, with delivery expected by 2027.
• Innovation and Speed: LEAP draws inspiration from Ukraine’s battlefield adaptability, prioritizing rapid development over traditional, lengthy defence procurement cycles.
• Collaboration: The initiative will engage major defence manufacturers and SMEs, fostering European defence financing, AI, and autonomy.

Strengthening NATO’s Shield

The LEAP initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance NATO’s air defence capabilities and boost industrial resilience in response to Russian aggression and emerging threats.

• UK Leadership: The UK is increasing defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, the largest sustained rise since the Cold War.
• European Unity: The E5—Europe’s five largest defence spenders—are deepening cooperation to develop long-range precision and hypersonic weapons, with £400 million allocated for related projects in the current financial year.
• Support for Ukraine: The initiative underscores the unwavering commitment of European allies to deter, defend, and, if necessary, fight together against shared security threats.