On February 12, 2026, France and Germany expressed interest in a new land-based ballistic missile proposed by aerospace firm ArianeGroup. This initiative highlights Europe's ongoing effort to address its deep-strike capabilities in light of recent geopolitical tensions, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The French defence ministry is currently in discussions with ArianeGroup about the missile system, which has the potential to reach targets over 1,000 kilometers away within minutes. ArianeGroup is also in contact with the German government, sharing insights about this weapon's capabilities. Vincent Pery, director of defence programs at ArianeGroup, indicated that the company is exploring the geopolitical implications of such missile systems and is engaged in preliminary talks with multiple countries. This comes as a response to Russia's increased reliance on ballistic missile strikes, particularly its intermediate-range Oreshnik missile, which has been utilized twice in Ukraine. France's President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for Europe to develop comparable deterrent capabilities to safeguard the continent against potential threats. In recent months, both France and Germany have ramped up their defense spending, reflecting the shifting security dynamics and the anticipated decrease in support from the United States under previous administrations. This defense spending increase is driven by concerns over security vulnerabilities exposed by international conflicts, with Russia's missile attacks on Ukraine serving as a stark reminder of the strategic dangers European nations currently face. Zuzanna Gwadera, a research analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted that while discussions regarding deep-strike initiatives are ongoing, Europe remains years away from deploying such capabilities. Currently, France stands as the only European NATO member with an established ballistic missile program, relying on its domestically developed M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile, developed by ArianeGroup, the largest space launcher manufacturer in Europe. ArianeGroup maintains that its technological expertise positions it well to deliver a land-based conventional ballistic missile within a few years.