Britain to Send 650 Air Defence Missiles to Ukraine in Latest Support – Reuters

The British government announced on Friday that it will supply Ukraine with 650 lightweight multi-role missiles valued at £162 million ($213.13 million) to enhance the country’s defense against Russian drone and missile attacks.

This announcement comes on the heels of Russia’s largest air assault on Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale conflict in early 2022. In response to ongoing missile and drone threats, Ukraine has consistently sought additional air defense support.

The new missile provision was revealed during a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, an informal coalition of around 50 countries, attended by British Defence Minister John Healey at a U.S. air base in Germany. The Ministry of Defence emphasized that this delivery aligns with the new government’s pledge to expedite aid to Ukraine, with the initial batch of missiles expected to arrive by year-end.

“This new commitment will provide a significant boost to Ukraine’s air defences,” Healey stated.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the missiles, manufactured by Thales, have a range exceeding 6 kilometers (3.73 miles) and can be launched from various platforms across land, sea, and air.

In a recent escalation, Russia launched over 200 missiles and drones at Ukraine, resulting in seven fatalities and damaging energy infrastructure nationwide in what Kyiv described as the most extensive attack of the war.