Britain develops cheaper long-range weapons for Ukraine without U.S. parts
Britain developing weapons for Ukraine to reduce reliance on U.S. technology (Photo: REUTERS/Toby Melville)
Britain is developing cheaper domestically produced
long-range missiles for Ukraine that would not rely on U.S. components and
could reach the front line within a year, Bloomberg
reported on June 20, citing British Defense Ministry officials.
Three British-made systems from MBDA, MGI Engineering and
Rotron Aerospace are expected to undergo tests in Britain and Ukraine in the
coming months, the officials said. The weapons could be delivered to the front
line within a year.
Project Brakestop, launched in late 2024, was accelerated
specifically to support Ukraine. The new missiles will likely be less accurate
and less powerful than MBDA’s Storm Shadow cruise missiles, but their cost will
be roughly half as high, Bloomberg reported.
The British government’s key requirement was that the
systems contain no U.S. components and not depend on U.S. data. Bloomberg said
that would ensure operational independence.
The new British systems will not be able to destroy
fortified bunkers, but a warhead weighing at least 225 kilograms could inflict
significant damage, Bloomberg reported. The ground-launched weapons can strike
targets more than 500 kilometers away.
Each missile is expected to cost about 400,000 British
pounds, excluding the warhead.
All three companies that reached the final stage of the
competition said they could produce at least 40 missiles a month within three
to four months of receiving an order. Even if they do not win the tender, the
manufacturers plan to offer their systems to Ukraine and other European
countries.
On June 18, during a Ramstein-format meeting, Britain
announced plans to provide Ukraine with 150,000 drones, more than 350 air
defense missiles and radars as part of a 752 million-pound funding package.
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