UK Develops New Long-Range Missile for Ukraine Free of US Restrictions

The United Kingdom is developing a new family of low-cost long-range weapons for Ukraine that would not rely on US-made components or American data.

The effort is part of Project Brakestop, a British program launched in late 2024 to accelerate the development of affordable long-range strike weapons for Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg, three UK companies—MBDA, MGI Engineering, and Rotron Aerospace—are developing competing systems that are scheduled for testing in both the UK and Ukraine in the coming months.

British officials told Bloomberg that the selected weapon could enter service within approximately a year if development and testing proceed as planned.

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World

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According to Bloomberg, the new systems are intended to offer a lower-cost alternative to the Anglo-French Storm Shadow cruise missile. While officials said the weapons are expected to be less precise and carry a lower level of destructive power than Storm Shadow, they would also cost roughly half as much.

A key requirement of the program is operational independence from the United States. Officials cited by Bloomberg said the weapons would contain no US-made components and would not depend on American data sources, reflecting broader efforts to reduce reliance on US defense supply chains.

The proposed systems are expected to carry warheads weighing at least 225 kilograms and strike targets at ranges exceeding 500 kilometers. The weapons are reportedly designed for ground launch and are intended for attacks against military and infrastructure targets rather than heavily fortified underground facilities.

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War in Ukraine

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Officials told Bloomberg that each missile is expected to cost around £400,000 (about $530,000), excluding the warhead. The three companies competing for the contract have reportedly stated that they could reach production rates of at least 40 missiles per month within three to four months of receiving an order.

According to Bloomberg, if a government contract is not awarded, the participating companies could seek to sell the systems directly to Ukraine or to European governments interested in supporting Kyiv.

Earlier, Germany was reported to be evaluating Ukrainian and Israeli low-cost cruise missile projects as part of efforts to build independent long-range strike capabilities. Among the systems under consideration are Ukraine’s FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile and Bars drone-missile.

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