UK creates low-cost long-range weapons for Ukraine to avoid reliance on US components
Photo: Britain is developing low-cost long-range weapons for Ukraine without US components (Getty Images)
The United Kingdom is developing lower-cost domestically produced long-range missiles for Ukraine that will not rely on US-made components and could reach the battlefield within a year, according to Bloomberg.
According to officials from the UK Ministry of Defence, three British-made systems from MBDA, MGI Engineering, and Rotron Aerospace are scheduled to undergo testing in the UK and Ukraine in the coming months.
The weapons are expected to be delivered to the battlefield within a year.
The Brakestop project, launched in late 2024, has been accelerated specifically to support Ukraine.
The new missiles are expected to be less accurate and less powerful than MBDA's Storm Shadow cruise missiles, but they will cost roughly half as much.
In addition, the missiles will reportedly contain no US-made components and will not rely on US data, ensuring operational independence.
This was a key requirement of the British government, which has expressed concern about excessive dependence on the US defense industry.
The new British systems will carry warheads weighing at least 225 kilograms and will be capable of striking targets more than 500 kilometers away.
The cost of each weapon, excluding the warhead, is expected to be around £400,000 ($529,320).
According to the publication's sources, all three companies competing for the contract have said they would be able to produce at least 40 units per month within three to four months of receiving an order.
They plan to sell their products directly to Ukraine or to other European countries if they do not secure the contract.
Strengthening Ukraine's air defense
During the G7 summit, participants discussed new mechanisms for strengthening Ukraine's air defense, expanding its long-range strike capabilities, and supporting weapons production directly in Ukraine and partner countries.
Ukraine and Germany have also agreed to jointly develop systems for intercepting ballistic missiles. The agreement was signed during a Ramstein-format meeting by Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
Meanwhile, MBDA, the manufacturer of Storm Shadow cruise missiles, has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ukrainian enterprise Luch to develop the NEPTUNE2 cruise missile.
