Twelve nations, including the UK, plan to invest more than £37bn ($50bn) over the next decade in a new long-range missile system designed to defend Europe.

The Deep Precision Strike initiative was recently announced by No 10 and will feature in discussions on Wednesday at the Nato summit held in the Turkish capital, Ankara.

Sir Keir Starmer attends his final Nato summit as prime minister. He may encounter criticism from US President Donald Trump over the lack of a clear roadmap to reach 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035, a goal endorsed by most alliance members last year.

On Wednesday the prime minister will bring together roughly a dozen leaders to review the new missile programme.

Described as one of Nato's most sophisticated weapons, the system aims to hit targets nearly 200 miles (300km) distant with high precision and could reach as far as 1,250 miles.

Sir Keir stated that the UK-led project would help unite European allies to maintain Nato security for years ahead.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the plan as part of an awareness that the world has grown more dangerous.

This effort focuses on building a stronger Europe inside a stronger Nato, she told BBC Breakfast from Ankara.

Like many defence projects under development, Deep Strike is unlikely to enter service until the 2030s.

In June, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a six-month review of American forces stationed in Europe.

Trump has often urged Nato members to increase defence contributions, and at last year's summit allies agreed to allocate 5% of GDP to defence and security by 2035.

Sir Keir expressed determination to protect the UK and its partners, noting that Europe must deliver a stronger Nato.

The UK government has already pledged £300bn by 2030 through its Defence Investment Plan.

At the summit Sir Keir is expected to highlight the risks Russia poses to the UK and Nato.

Officials noted that Nato jets have intercepted Russian aircraft nearing allied airspace more than 700 times, while Russian military activity near UK waters rose 30%.

Sir Keir will emphasise that although Nato seeks no confrontation with Russia, it must stand ready to protect every member.

Cooper added that deep precision strike capability will allow the UK and allies to target high-value military assets and the supply networks that sustain armies, deterring potential aggressors and reinforcing collective security.

At Ankara we send a clear signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Nato is stronger, more European and prepared to safeguard citizens against the enduring threat from him and the Russian state.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used a Tuesday speech at the summit to call on allies for urgent air defence systems to counter intensifying Russian strikes.

Ukraine has intensified its own long-range drone and missile operations against Russia, striking oil refineries and military sites and triggering fuel shortages and power disruptions.

Number 10 stated that Ukraine's armed forces have shown how effective long-range systems can shift battlefield outcomes by weakening enemy forces well behind front lines.

Ukrainian long-range strikes on key logistics hubs have notably reduced Russia's capacity to sustain offensives.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia, which launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, would monitor the Ankara summit closely.

He added that no new weapons supplied to Kyiv by Nato would stop Russia from continuing its military operation until its goals are met.

In the run-up to this summit we heard many statements about our country, Peskov told reporters.

Regrettably these were not calls for constructive engagement and dialogue but rather confrontational remarks.

Political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict remains the preferred path for Russia, Peskov concluded.