The British Army has teased the next generation of Storm Shadow missiles as the UK is set to strengthen its military arsenal.
Britain and France are set to order more highly lethal Storm Shadow cruise missiles which both have loaned to Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia.
The two nations are also working together to step up work on the weapon's replacement as part of a new agreement signed today.
Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will also today agree to work more closely than ever before on nuclear deterrence.
A newly signed declaration will state for the first time that there is "no extreme threat in Europe that would not prompt a response by both nations", the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
Britain and France are Europe’s only nuclear powers, with deterrents that contribute significantly to the overall security of Nato and the Euro-Atlantic.
Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: “From war in Europe, to new nuclear risks and daily cyber-attacks – the threats we face are multiplying.
“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.
“We stand ready to use our shared might to advance our joint capabilities - equipping us for the decades to come while supporting thousands of UK jobs and keeping our people safe.”
A view of a long-range, air-launched Storm Shadow cruise missile
PA
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said the partnership ensures "continued support for Ukraine".
"We are committed to driving defence as an engine for growth, delivering better fighting capabilities faster, and ensuring our armed forces can operate side by side, from the High North to the Black Sea, Healey said.
“This partnership strengthens our leadership in Europe, ensures continued support for Ukraine, and sends a clear signal to our adversaries that we stand stronger, together.”
A series of other weapons projects will also be advanced under the new Britain-France partnership, including looking to use AI to make missiles and drones more lethal and developing the next generation of air-to-air missiles for Royal Air Force's fighter jets.
Defence Secretary John Healey (third left) and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu (second left) viewing a Storm Shadow cruise missile, on Wednesday
PA
The Ministry of Defence has further announced that the Combined Joint Force will be able to command a Combined UK/French Corps for the first time – the highest scale of deployed ground forces from a command perspective – made up of thousands of troops and working side-by-side with Nato allies.
For the first time it will also integrate space and cyber to counter new threats, allowing UK and France's joint forces to quickly respond to developments on the battlefield.
It comes amid Macron's three-day visit to London, during which he vowed to work with Britain to curb migrant Channel crossings.
The French President and UK Prime Minister have admitted a "new deterrent" is needed to stop small boats crossing between the two countries.
Starmer hopes Macron will sign up to a “one in, one out” deal when they hold a Franco-British summit at Downing Street on Thursday, the last day of his state visit to Britain.
Under the terms of the deal, Britain would accept migrants with links to the country in exchange for sending others back across the channel.
In return, Macron is said to be pushing for the UK to do more to address “pull factors” which are attracting people to make the dangerous crossing to the English coast.
When the two leaders met in Downing Street on Wednesday, July 9, the small boats crisis appeared to be the mainstay of their conversations.
Starmer hopes Macron will sign up to a 'one in, one out' deal today
N/CThe pair agreed the crossings are a “shared priority that requires shared solutions”, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
They added: “The Prime Minister spoke of his Government’s toughening of the system in the past year to ensure rules are respected and enforced, including a massive surge in illegal working arrests to end the false promise of jobs that are used to sell spaces on boats.
“The two leaders agreed on the need to go further and make progress on new and innovative solutions, including a new deterrent to break the business model of these gangs.”
Both Macron and Keir aim for “concrete progress” on the matter at Thursday’s summit, No10 said, as well as in other areas like support for Ukraine.
Following the French-UK summit, the two leaders will host a call with coalition of the willing partners, the proposed peacekeeping mission to deter Russia from attacking Ukraine in future.