Britain is developing new tactical ballistic missiles with a range of more than 500 km, the Defense Ministry in London has announced
RT: UK Defence Secretary John Healey (right) and Vladimir Zelensky. © Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images
The
UK Defense Ministry has announced plans to develop new long-range
missiles for Ukraine that would be capable of striking targets deep
inside Russian territory.
The ministry announced the launch of
Project Nightfall on Sunday, an initiative aimed at boosting Ukraine’s
strike capabilities. The planned tactical ballistic missiles would carry
a warhead weighing around 200 kg and have a range of more than 500 km,
according to the statement.
The project envisions awarding
contracts to three industrial teams to produce test missiles within a
year. The ministry said production could eventually reach up to ten
systems per month, with each missile expected to cost up to $1 million.
Proposals are due in early February, with contracts expected to be
signed by March 2026.
”A secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine.
These new long-range British missiles will keep Ukraine in the fight and
give [Russian President Vladimir] Putin another thing to worry about,”
UK Defense Procurement Minister Luke Pollard stated, as quoted by the
ministry.
Commenting on the announcement, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey
Kelin told RIA Novosti that London is engaging in wishful thinking by
promising to supply Kiev with missiles that have not yet been developed.
The
UK has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest backers since the escalation of
the conflict in February 2022. It has supplied Kiev with long-range
cruise missiles, including Storm Shadows, and has lifted restrictions on
their use against targets inside Russia. Moscow denounced the step as a
dangerous escalation.
Ukraine has repeatedly used Storm Shadow
missiles developed by the UK and France for strikes in Crimea and
Donbass, while carrying out daily drone attacks on other Russian
regions, including Moscow. Russia has accused Kiev of deliberately
targeting civilian infrastructure.
Moscow has warned that Western weapons supplies to Ukraine
undermine the prospects for a peaceful settlement and draw NATO
countries directly into the conflict. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has
said any shipments of weapons to Ukraine would be considered legitimate
military targets.