While the Ukrainian president regretted in mid-August that London was, according to him, “no longer showing as much” leadership, the British Ministry of Defense announced on Friday, September 6, that a first delivery of 650 “light modular missile systems” is planned in the coming months.
The United Kingdom will supply 650 missile systems to Ukraine to help it strengthen its air defenses in the coming months, London announced on Friday, September 6, after criticism from President Zelensky over the pace of military aid deliveries to kyiv.
The British Ministry of Defence announced in a statement that an initial delivery of 650 “light modular missile (LMM) systems” would take place by the end of the year, as part of a contract worth 162 million pounds (192 million euros).
These “highly versatile” missiles will be built by the French group Thales in its factory in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
London’s “unwavering” support
They are designed “to be fired from a variety of land, sea and air tactical platforms” and can target both a ground target and a drone in flight, according to the manufacturer.
The new missile delivery will be announced on Friday by Defense Secretary John Healey, who is attending a meeting of the contact group of Ukraine’s allies at the U.S. air base in Ramstein, Germany.
The UK has been one of Kiev’s main military supporters since the Russian invasion in February 2022, providing it with long-range Storm Shadow missiles, hundreds of LMM missiles and a squadron of 14 Challenger 2 tanks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, regretted in mid-August that London was, according to him, “no longer showing as much” leadership, accusing it of not providing the long-range weapons needed to face Russia. The United Kingdom responded by assuring that its support for Ukraine was “unwavering”.
“This new commitment will provide a significant boost to Ukraine’s air defence and demonstrate our new government’s commitment to stepping up support,” John Healey, who took office in early July following the election of Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said in the statement.
“In recent days we have seen the tragic cost of Russia’s indiscriminate strikes on Poltava and Lviv. These new UK-made missiles will help Ukraine defend its people, infrastructure and territory,” he added.
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