Project Nightfall: UK says it is going to develop new ballistic missile for Ukraine’s defence in opposition to Russia | EUROtoday

The UK says it is going to develop new tactical ballistic missiles for Kyiv and put “leading-edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians” for his or her struggle in opposition to Russia.

Code-named “Project Nightfall”, the missiles will assist enhance Ukrainian firepower and be able to hanging targets deep inside Russia, the Ministry of Defence stated in an announcement late on Sunday.

The Nightfall missiles will carry a 200kg typical high-explosive warhead and value a most £800,000 per unit, the MoD introduced, including that it plans to supply 10 methods per 30 days.

The announcement got here days after Russia attacked Ukraine with its new hypersonic Oreshnik missile, hanging a metropolis about 60 miles from the border of Nato member Poland, with European leaders condemning the incident as a “clear escalation” and an try and “instil fear”.

“Under Project Nightfall, the UK has launched a competition to rapidly develop ground-launched ballistic missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometres and designed to operate in high-threat battlefields with heavy electromagnetic interference,” the MoD stated.

The Nightfall missiles will allow Ukrainian forces to hit navy targets earlier than Russia can reply as a result of the brand new weapons will probably be “capable of being launched from a range of vehicles, firing multiple missiles in quick succession and withdrawing within minutes”.

Defence secretary John Healey stated the UK was decided to arm Ukrainians with superior weapons “as they fight back”.

“The attacks overnight on Thursday just go to show how Putin thinks he can act with impunity, targeting civilian areas with advanced weaponry,” Mr Healey stated, referring to the Oreshnik strike.

“Instead of seriously negotiating a peace, he’s seriously escalating his illegal war,” he added.

Mr Healey stated that whereas travelling to Kyiv final week, he was shut sufficient to listen to air raid sirens round Lviv.

“It was a serious moment and a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero conditions,” he stated.

Luke Pollard, the minister for defence readiness and business, stated the brand new long-range British missiles “will keep Ukraine in the fight” and provides Russia “another thing to worry about”.

“In 2026, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” the minister stated. “Providing equipment to keep them in the fight today, whilst working to secure the peace tomorrow.”

According to the MoD, the Nightfall challenge builds on the UK’s dedication to bolster Kyiv’s long-range strike capabilities and informs future tasks for Britain’s personal armed forces.

The challenge will probably be awarded to 3 business groups, every of which is able to obtain a “£9 million development contract to design, develop and deliver their first three missiles within 12 months for test firings”.