ELSA: Europe goes it alone on long-range strike
Six European nations have been working to develop several long-range strike capabilities under the ELSA. Now, under an LoI, they are formalising those efforts, signalling another move away from US-provided weapons.
By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on February 16, 2026.
The six member nations of the European Long-range Strike Approach (ELSA) have formalised their intent to develop long-range one-way effectors, according to a February 12 communiqué from the Polish Ministry of National Defence.
The letter of intent (LoI), signed by the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Sweden, aims to “harmonise and accelerate the development [and] procurement of these capabilities across Europe.” It also reaffirms the intent of the ELSA nations to accelerate development and procurement of long-range strike capabilities.
So far, the ELSA group has worked on:
- Airborne Early Warning capability
- Air-launched long-range capability
- Euro Multi Missile Launcher
- Low cost 500km+ capabilities based on one-way-attack effectors.
The communiqué states that these areas have reached sufficient maturity to invite other European states to join, without providing details. However, it is known that Denmark is seeking a long-range precision strike capability that can reach Russia. Many other Eastern Flank nations are likely interested in similar capabilities.
- Denmark to procure long-range precision weapons for OCA – Calibre Defence
- Shahed and Geran: The evolution of Russia’s deep strikes – Calibre Defence
- Norway picks Hanwha and Chunmoo for long-range fires – Calibre Defence
When initially launched, the ELSA countries were aiming to develop a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 1,000 – 2,000 km, rivaling the range of a Tomahawk. Sweden was primarily interested in air- and naval-launched options, however.
It is not clear what the group is developing, but the communiqué’s reference to a “one-way-attack effectors” tends to indicate something that is Shahed-like, more than a missile.
Calibre comment: Europe needs independent long-range strike
It’s about time that European states got to work on fielding their own long-range strike capabilities. Yes there have been medium-range systems like the Anglo-French Stormshadow, but production figures were relatively modest at a few thousand units. And with slow uptake of MBDA’s Spear 3, much of Europe’s airborne strike capability comes from the US. Its ground-launched capability for land-attack is essentially non-existent, although Norway’s recent procurement of the K-239 Chunmoo could provide up to 500 km of reach.
Reducing reliance on American suppliers is seen as a good thing for many in Europe. This is in part because of recent events, but also because it helps keep European funds inside the continent, notionally benefitting the EU. But there is one other aspect to consider, which is the logistics in the event of a war. Any missiles produced in the US would have to be brought by ship or plane to Europe, potentially exposing them to Russia’s Northern Fleet. The fleet’s role is hotly debated in academic circles, but if it were to surge beyond Greenland, it could hold shipping in the Atlantic at risk.
Because of all this, Europe needs its own capabilities, produced as far as possible inside the continent, that can be reliably produced in times of war. If you would like to read more about the challenge Russia poses to the North, check the article below from RUSI’s Dr Sid Kaushal:
Credit for the lead image is the Polish MND.
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