The United Kingdom will develop a new tactical ballistic missile that – once operational (likely not before the end of the current year) – would restore to Ukrainian planners the ability to hit well-defended targets deep within Russia with the help of powerful, precision-guided munitions (PGM), according to official statements from the United Kingdom, reports Kyiv Post.
In a statement released Sunday by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), the British government launched a competition for the development of ground-launched ballistic missiles with a range of over 500 kilometers, capable of operating on a dangerous battlefield with strong electromagnetic interference.
The missile, whose maximum price is 800,000 pounds sterling ($1.34 million) per unit, could carry a conventional 200 kg explosive charge a distance of “more” than 500 km and could be launched from a stationary platform or a vehicle, the statement said.
Luke Pollard, MP and Minister for Defence Preparedness and Industry, said in a comment for the Ministry of Defence that three dedicated teams will receive a contract of 9 million pounds sterling ($12.01 million) to design, develop and deliver the first three missiles within 12 months for testing. Initial production will be ten missiles per month, according to the Ministry of Defence statement.
The “Nightfall” missile is designed to be used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) and, once it enters service, is expected to allow “Ukrainian forces to strike key military targets before Russian forces can respond”, according to the Ministry of Defence statement.
The Nightfall missile would withstand an environment saturated with electronic warfare and is designed for rapid expansion to volume production, “especially in the United Kingdom”, but possibly also in other locations; and “is intended to support Ukraine, Nightfall will also be a source of information for future projects on long-range attack weapons of the United Kingdom Armed Forces”, the statement said.
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