The UK Government has confirmed that Defence Secretary John Healey is in regular discussions with European counterparts on boosting missile production capacity, amid growing demand across NATO, according to a written response published on 30 April 2025.
Responding to a question from Daisy Cooper MP (Liberal Democrat – St Albans), Defence Minister Maria Eagle stated: “The Secretary of State for Defence continues to discuss missile production capacity with our European Allies on a regular basis.”
She highlighted recent engagements, including bilateral talks in Paris on 11 March and multilateral discussions at the E5 Defence Ministers meeting the following day.
“Missile production capacity is also a key element of NATO’s Defence Production Action Plan, which we continue to work on with allies to ensure its effective implementation,” Eagle added.
The UK is also engaged through NATO’s Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD), a forum for coordinating defence industrial cooperation across the Alliance. “The UK continues to discuss NATO Alliance-wide missile production and capacity issues via the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) framework,” Eagle confirmed.
That is ok then we are talking about it, a bit like talking about RCH 155, more helicopters, etc etc, all the MOD does is talk a lot, have wish lists. Never orders any thing or confirms any thing. I would say its got worse in past few years. May be the defence review might change that and show some real orders and up grades but not holding my breath.
It is very hard when such a large % of the budget is tied down on DNE, frigates, submarines.
One of the issues is ring fencing some of the budgets for the small stuff.
It makes a big difference to the motivation on the front line if people are given small item upgrades. It is sometimes tangible change…..
RCH-155 has been ordered. The MoD hasn’t said how many, but it appears to be between 116 and 240, based on figures the German’s let slip.
French cesar has been outperforming Archer in Ukraine apparently.
Surely asraam is a missile for an increase. Even a booster for extra ground launched range. CAAM would be another one, funny it’s real quiet. None in Ukraine, testing etc etc