Royal Artillery getting new missile to strengthen British Army's capability and Nato deterrence

· Forces News
PrSMs will be fired from the M270 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, a self-propelled armoured missile and rocket launcher which is one of the Royal Artillery's most powerful weapons (Picture: MOD)

The Royal Artillery is to benefit from a significantly longer-range land-based strike capability, as the UK has committed to spending £190m on the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) programme.

The next-generation supersonic ballistic missile has a range of up to 500km and is capable of travelling at supersonic speeds – with future upgrades potentially able to expand its capabilities.

It is compatible with the British Army's upgraded M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers, meaning it can be integrated without modifying existing launch vehicles.

The PrSM is being built by Lockheed Martin, through a collaborative programme between the United States and Australia.

Subject to agreement with both countries, the UK could begin receiving missiles from 2027 and be involved in future development of the missile.

The UK has said that PrSM will complement, rather than replace, longer-term multinational programmes, including the Deep Precision Strike programme and the European Long Range Strike Approach being developed with European partners such as Germany.

The Precision Strike Missile was successfully fired by the US Army last year from an M270A2 and HIMARS at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico (Picture: US Department of War)

The announcement follows a Nato Defence Ministers meeting, which focused on cooperation and deterrence, and where Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis met US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Mr Jarvis said: "I am absolutely determined to give our soldiers the weapons they need as they defend our nation and Nato.

"This new investment into a precision strike missile will help to strengthen our Army and our security at this increasingly dangerous time.

"The US and Australia are vital defence partners, and I am working with Secretary Hegseth and deputy prime minister Marles to deliver this programme alongside Aukus."