In a significant move towards enhancing European military capabilities, defense ministers from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, and Sweden have come together to sign a letter of intent to collaborate on the development of a low-cost loitering munition. This munition, designated the One Way Effector 500 Plus, is expected to have an operational range exceeding 500 kilometers (311 miles) and is designed to execute deep precision strikes against high-value targets, including enemy air defenses and logistics hubs.
This development is part of the broader European Long-range Strike Approach (ELSA) initiative, which aims to foster collaboration and innovation in military technology among European nations. The program will evaluate the feasibility of a shared platform that allows for the integration of various country-specific payloads, promoting a distributed production model among the participating nations. This approach aims to enhance both scalability and resilience within the military capabilities of Europe.
The One Way Effector 500 Plus is anticipated to carry a warhead around 50 kilograms (110 pounds). To further contain expenses, one of the proposals under consideration involves the use of conventional 155mm artillery shells as warheads, targeting a unit price within the five-figure range. Notably, the system is planned to function autonomously, requiring minimal manual guidance, allowing a single operator to deploy multiple munitions simultaneously.
The effectiveness of such one-way attack drones has been highlighted during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russian forces have utilized Iranian-designed Shahed systems with significant impact against Ukrainian air defenses and infrastructure. This operational reality has intensified interest from Western military circles in developing similar capabilities. European defense manufacturers have responded with accelerated efforts, notably with MBDA’s One-Way Effector and Helsing’s HX-2.
France has already moved forward with a contract to obtain MBDA’s One-Way Effector, with initial deliveries slated for mid-2027, while Germany is reportedly considering the HX-2 for use within a newly established mechanized brigade that will be stationed in Lithuania. The reported capabilities of these systems indicate that the One-Way Effector will match the 500-kilometer range, whereas HX-2 is designed for engagements up to 100 kilometers (62 miles).
Furthermore, alongside the development of loitering munitions, the ELSA initiative also aspires to introduce airborne early warning systems, enhance air-based strike capabilities, and create European multiple rocket launcher solutions—all aimed at strengthening the collective defense posture of the continent in a rapidly evolving security landscape.
