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UK to Send £1.7 Billion of RapidRanger Air Defense Systems and Martlet Missiles to Ukraine
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a deal to secure nearly £1.7 billion ($2.2 billion) in funding from the United Kingdom for additional weapons purchases, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on June 11.
The funds will be used to acquire RapidRanger air defense systems and lightweight multipurpose Martlet missiles, Shmyhal said. The new equipment is expected to significantly bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and enhance its ability to repel Russian attacks.
“We are grateful to our British partners for their extraordinary support, which helps bring us closer to a just peace,” Shmyhal added.
The announcement comes as the UK steps up its military assistance to Ukraine. Earlier this month, London pledged a record £350 million ($445 million) to fund the delivery of 100,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of this year, a move hailed as one of the largest drone aid packages to date.
The RapidRanger is a lightweight air defense system weighing under 500 kilograms. It can be mounted on any platform capable of carrying the load and is equipped with day and thermal imaging cameras for low-light and nighttime operations.
The system also features automated target tracking and a 360-degree omnidirectional surveillance sensor, making it highly effective in detecting and neutralizing aerial threats up to 7km from the system.
The Martlet missile, also known as Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM), is designed for use against low-flying aircraft, drones, and lightly armored ground targets. It is known for its versatility and rapid response time.
Earlier, the United Kingdom had begun negotiations with the United States to acquire F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs.
