NEW air defence weapons will be developed by Britain and its European allies “to strengthen Nato’s shield and keep our people safe,” defence minister Luke Pollard said today.

The new multinational scheme aims to counter drone and missile threats with a new surface-to-air weapon, inspired by those used in Ukraine.

Mr Pollard said the project shows “European nations are ready to deter, defend and if necessary, fight, together.”

The air defence systems, such as autonomous drones or missiles, are expected be delivered by 2027.

It will draw proposals from major defence manufacturers and small and medium-sized enterprises, the Ministry of Defence said.

Stop the War convener Lindsey German said: “Who exactly does Luke Pollard think he needs to keep people ‘safe’ from?

“If it’s Russia then it’s the government he’s a member of, along with Europe, which is creating a climate in which war with Russia is more likely, a war where nuclear weapons could be used with catastrophic consequences.

“What the people of Britain actually need to be kept safe from is warmongers like Pollard, and to have their taxes spent on wages and welfare not still more defence weapons.”