The British Army is set to enhance its long-range strike capabilities after the UK government announced its participation in the US Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program.
The government has allocated 190 million pounds ($254 million) from its 298-billion-pound ($398 billion) Defence Investment Plan to procure the ballistic missiles, which currently have a strike range of up to 500 kilometers (311 miles), with future upgrades expected to further extend their reach.
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the PrSM is fully compatible with the British Army’s upgraded M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers. The UK received its first upgraded MLRS in March 2026, while the remaining launchers are scheduled for delivery by 2029.
The first batch of PrSM missiles could be delivered as early as 2027, complementing the British Army’s expanding portfolio of long-range capabilities, including one-way attack drones and ground-launched cruise missiles.
The UK’s participation in the PrSM program also reinforces the AUKUS security partnership, as the missile initiative is jointly led by the United States and Australia. The investment supports AUKUS Pillar 2, which focuses on technology collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, autonomous underwater systems, and intelligence sharing.
British officials emphasized that the PrSM is intended to complement—not replace—other collaborative missile development efforts. These include the long-range deep precision strike weapon being jointly developed with Germany, which is expected to achieve ranges of up to 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles). In addition, the UK is partnering with France and Italy to develop the Stratus missile, the successor to the Storm Shadow, further strengthening its long-range strike capabilities.
