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As part of the Nightfall project, Britain announced a competition for the rapid development of ground-based ballistic missiles with a range of over 500 kilometers for Ukraine.
Main theses:
- The development of Nightfall ballistic missiles for Ukraine with a range of over 500 km will allow Ukrainian forces to strike key military targets before a possible response from Russian forces.
- Britain plans to produce 10 missile systems per month at a maximum cost of £800,000 per unit, which would provide Ukraine with a cost-effective long-range strike capability.
Britain will develop a missile with a flight range of over 500 km for Ukraine
This is stated in a press release on the British government website.
It is noted that the missiles will be designed for use in high-threat conditions on battlefields with strong electromagnetic interference.
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The munitions could be launched from a variety of vehicles, rapidly fire multiple missiles in succession and retreat in minutes, allowing Ukrainian forces to strike key military targets before Russian forces can react, the British government said.
The press release states that the missile will have a conventional high-explosive warhead weighing 200 kilograms, with a planned production rate of 10 systems per month and a maximum cost of £800,000 per unit. It is intended to provide Ukraine with “a powerful, cost-effective long-range strike capability with minimal external export controls,” the statement said.
British Defense Secretary John Healy said Russia's overnight attacks on Ukraine on January 8 showed how Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin “believes he can act with impunity by targeting modern weapons at civilian areas,” adding that the Russian dictator was seriously escalating his illegal war instead of seriously negotiating peace.
He noted that the air raid sirens around Lviv, which he heard on the way to Kyiv, were “a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero temperatures.
We will not tolerate this, which is why we are determined to provide the Ukrainians with the most modern weapons for their fight.
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British Minister of State for Defence Preparedness and Industry Luke Pollard stressed that “a secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine.”
These new British long-range missiles will allow Ukraine to continue the fight and give Putin another reason to worry, he said, and assured the United Kingdom of continued support for Ukraine in 2026.
Project Nightfall is expected to see three industrial teams awarded a £9m missile development contract each to design, develop and supply the first three missiles within 12 months for testing. The munitions development contracts are expected to be awarded in March this year.
It is noted that the project will also become the basis for future projects of the UK Armed Forces in the field of long-range strikes.